NK26-20-XL bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR1 2026-09-25) · extracted 2026-09-30

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR1 2026-09-25); FAG® is a trademark of Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized FAG/Schaeffler distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at schaeffler.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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 NK26-20-XL model number is decoded

envelope 26×34×20 mm: 26 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 4.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 22 kN and C0 32 kN at the 26 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.69 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 34 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 5.7 kN, the limiting speed 17,200 r/min and the thermal reference speed 10,100 r/min; for small needle bearings the reference speed can exceed the kinematic limit, so the lower of the two governs the application dynamic capacity per millimetre of bore is 0.85 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 1.10 kN/mm — the reason 20 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 42 g, just 0.06 g per mm² of projected 34×20 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages at 26 mm bore this size balances the 34 mm outside diameter against machineability of the adjacent parts — the most frequently specified band in the HR1 range Reading the NK prefix: a machined (not drawn-cup) outer ring with the needle complement; an inner ring from the IR series can be added later if the shaft cannot be hardened Omitting the inner ring frees radial space — at a 26 mm shaft the outer diameter is only 34 mm and the width 20 mm, yet C is 22 kN The -XL suffix marks the X-life execution: refined raceway topography and upgraded materials lift the basic ratings versus the non-X-life bearing at the same 26×34×20 mm envelope. Typical applications include agricultural machine pivots and linkages, hydraulic and pneumatic pump eccentrics and textile machine heald and cam shafts, where the 34 mm outside diameter and 22 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In agricultural machine pivots and linkages the unit fits a compact 26 mm seat, and in hydraulic and pneumatic pump eccentrics the 42 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for textile machine heald and cam shafts, relying on the 20 mm width and the published 32 kN static rating. On reciprocating duty ensure the stroke rotates the full needle set, or brinelling occurs at the same roller positions. Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• On reciprocating duty ensure the stroke rotates the full needle set, or brinelling occurs at the same roller positions.
• Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.
• Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.