C3160-K bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3160-K is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 300 x 500 x 160 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 300 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 500 mm |
| Width B | 160 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 3250 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 5200 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 400 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 950 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 125000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3160 K |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.
Dimensions in inches & C3100-series range
| Bore d | 11.811 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 19.685 in |
| Width B | 6.299 in |
| ISO bore code | 60 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 100 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3100-series | 100 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3100-series | 1580 mm |
| Width range across C3100-series | 52–462 mm |
| Bore position in C3100-series (smallest first) | 11 of 28 |
| Bore above smallest C3100-series size | 200 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3160 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 300×500×160 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3160 is the cylindrical-bore steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23160 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (300×500×160 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23160 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23160 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23160-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (300×500×160 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23160 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23160 CCK/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.
How the C3160-K model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, C 3160 K denotes a toroidal roller bearing whose 160 mm long rollers crown at both ends: the contact accepts angular misalignment while the ring positions float, which is why CARB bearings are specified at the free shaft end. SKF builds the CARB order number from size plus execution: the bare number C 3160 is the steel-caged cylindrical-bore bearing, K (or K30) makes the bore tapered for sleeve mounting, and the cage/seal letters follow — here K. The unsuffixed execution carries a pressed steel window cage — the balanced standard for the 300×500 mm size with 3250 kN dynamic and a 950 r/min reference speed. Speed planning separates the 950 r/min thermal reference from the 1,300 r/min mechanical limiting speed. The full-complement V executions carry more load but list no thermal reference speed; the steel-caged executions run faster and cooler at light load. After fitting, confirm the inner ring can be pushed axially by hand through the catalogue displacement range; a ring that will not slide means the position is locked and will preload in service.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- vibrating screen exciters fitted with the VE240 tolerance execution
- long fan and kiln main shafts where the free end must float without thrust load
- heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
- winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
Known failure patterns
- roller-end and flange smearing after lubricant starvation at the long roller contacts
- thermal preloading when a shaft is located at both ends and growth has nowhere to go
- PA66 cage (TN9) softening when the sustained temperature passes the polymer limit
- hard-particle indentation where oil or grease filtration is inadequate
- grease churning and overheating when a high-speed thrust position is over-packed
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Above 200 mm bore these bearings weigh tens of kilograms (125 kg here) — lifting gear and induction heating are mandatory, and a cocked ring scores the toroidal raceway before start-up.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 300 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 950 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, the limiting value is the mechanical ceiling; observe the reference under load unless the arrangement calculation says otherwise.
- Do not block the axial displacement in the drawing: housing covers, labyrinth rings and snap rings must leave the catalogue float (s) free, or the bearing silently becomes a poorly located fixed bearing.
- Envelope-identical spherical roller bearings (same ISO 15 d×D×B) are not drop-in equivalents — they locate the shaft axially, while C 3160 K must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- The 3250/5200 kN ratings and 125000 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 864); mounting data — axial displacement (s) and seating details — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
Is the C 3160 K sealed?
No, it is an open execution relying on the housing seals; relubrication follows the groove/hole features of the size.
What fails first on a misapplied CARB bearing?
Blocking the designed axial float — clamping the free end or locating both shaft ends — turns thermal growth into edge loading and spalls the toroidal raceways. Cage damage and ordinary fatigue follow overload or dry running.
Which dimensions does the C 3160 K have?
A C 3160 K measures 300 mm bore × 500 mm outside diameter × 160 mm width (11.811 × 19.685 × 6.299 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 3250 kN, static C0 5200 kN, fatigue limit Pu 400 kN, reference speed 950 r/min, limiting speed 1,300 r/min, mass about 125000 g.
What does C 3160 K mean in SKF part numbering?
C marks CARB; 31 the dimension series; the size code gives 300 mm bore; K is the execution (tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage). The envelope follows ISO 15 and matches spherical roller bearing outlines, but the functions differ.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.