294-950-EF bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 294-950-EF is a ISO 104 radial bearing sized 950 x 1600 x 390 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 950 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 1600 mm |
| Width B | 390 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 28200 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 132000 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 7800 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 140 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 280 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 3070000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 294/950 EF |
| Standard | ISO 104 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 13.1 spherical roller thrust bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 13.1 spherical roller thrust bearings) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 13.1 spherical roller thrust 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 & 29400-series range
| Bore d | 37.402 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 62.992 in |
| Width B | 15.354 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 325 mm |
| Smallest bore in 29400-series | 60 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 29400-series | 1770 mm |
| Width range across 29400-series | 42–426 mm |
| Bore position in 29400-series (smallest first) | 44 of 46 |
| Bore above smallest 29400-series size | 890 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the 294-950-EF model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, 294/950 EF denotes a self-aligning thrust bearing: the sphered back face of the housing washer follows seat misalignment while the extra-large steel EF cage guides the rollers under 390 mm of axial section. The designation 294/950 EF separates into 294 (series), 950 mm (slash-size) (950 mm bore — bore 950 mm is written directly after the slash) and EF; washers are separable for individual mounting. A minimum axial load of factor A 1700 must be maintained — in the large 294 sizes this is a real force (often supplied by springs, oil pressure or the rotor weight), below it the rollers skid and smear. Static safety matters for shock duty: compare peak axial force against C0 132000 kN with the application's static factor, since crane hooks and screw positions see their worst load at zero or low speed. Verify the minimum axial load (factor A 1700) immediately at commissioning — a cold start unloaded smears the rollers; spring preload or rotor weight must be present before the shaft rotates.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- marine shaft and rudder-style thrust positions with seat deflection
- paper machine calender and refiner discs with combined axial and radial force
- crane hook assemblies where the hook block turns under full load
- injection moulding machine and extruder screw thrust positions
Known failure patterns
- cage wear from rollers being dragged through unloaded zones under fluctuating thrust
- washer back-face fretting where the seat is too narrow to support the full ring face
- abrasive paste forming as dust bypasses the housing seals into the open washer set
- false brinelling and rust-red witness marks on standby machines under external vibration
- roller skidding and raceway glazing once the thrust falls below the catalogue minimum axial load (factor A)
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 950 mm bore and 3070 kg, mounting is a rigging operation: sphered seats, oil injection and rotation checks under preload follow the large-bearing mounting manual, not general practice.
- the 140 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, the 280 r/min limiting speed is the mechanical ceiling; large 294 bearings are normally run well below it with oil cooling.
- Radial force beyond the permitted fraction of simultaneous thrust (about 0.55·F_a) overloads one side of the barrel-roller set — add a radial bearing instead of leaning on 294/950 EF.
- The 28200/132000 kN figures assume the matching sphered seating washer is fitted where the catalogue calls for it; a flat housing seat removes the self-aligning function.
- Minimum load factor A 1700 dominates commissioning: start the oil flow and preload before rotation, especially on 294 bearings where an unloaded cold start smears the rollers.
- The 28200/132000 kN ratings and 3070000 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 13.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 930); mounting data — the minimum axial load factor A — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
How is the 294/950 EF designation read?
294 is the dimension series (heavy 294 series) and 950 mm (slash-size) the 950 mm bore (the bore is written directly after the slash (no bore code)); EF is the cage execution (extra-large steel EF cage). The sphered housing washer provides self-alignment.
Why is the minimum axial load (A 1700) so important?
Spherical roller thrust bearings skid and smear immediately when run unloaded — on large sizes factor A 1700 corresponds to a substantial force. Springs, oil lift or the rotor/load weight must be applied before rotation, including cold test runs.
Can the 294/950 EF also carry radial load?
Yes, up to roughly 55 % of the simultaneous axial force, thanks to the steep contact angle of the barrel rollers. Beyond that mix, specify a separate radial bearing; the primary duty remains one-direction thrust.
How is a 294/950 EF mounted?
Tight shaft washer on the 950 mm seat, sphered housing washer on its matching seating washer, induction heating for large sizes, oil at the catalogue level before start, and the factor-A 1700 preload verified at commissioning.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 13.1 spherical roller thrust bearings on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.