23280 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 23280 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 400 x 720 x 256 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 400 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 720 mm |
| Width B | 256 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass, machined (M1) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 6881 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 10400 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 680 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 480 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 670 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 450000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 23280 CA/W33 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-26 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-26
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical 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 & 23200-series range
| Bore d | 15.748 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 28.346 in |
| Width B | 10.079 in |
| ISO bore code | 80 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 160 mm |
| Smallest bore in 23200-series | 90 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 23200-series | 870 mm |
| Width range across 23200-series | 52.4–310 mm |
| Bore position in 23200-series (smallest first) | 22 of 26 |
| Bore above smallest 23200-series size | 310 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23280 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; D/B cross-verified against Schaeffler HR1 2022; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data. |
| 23280-CAK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Tapered-bore (1:12) execution on OH3280 adapter sleeve; same ISO 15 envelope, separate order number. |
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 23280 model number is decoded
23280 CA/W33 belongs to the SKF spherical roller range — the 400 mm bore entry in the 23200-series series (dimension series 32 (medium OD, extra wide)), dimensioned 720 mm OD and 256 mm wide. Numbering ties the bearing to its envelope: 23280 means spherical-roller type, dimension series 32, 400 mm bore — which is why the 720×256 mm outline swaps dimensionally with other ISO 15 bearings of the same code. In SKF suffix language, CA/W33 means the brass-cage CA execution — often preferred for the largest bores and for shock/vibration duty where a rigid machined cage matters; W33 adds the relubrication groove. The sealed 2CS5 and vibrating-screen VA405 are separate executions. The 160.0 mm radial section height ((720−400)/2) and 450000 g catalogue mass frame a 400 mm bore bearing rated at 6881 kN C — roughly 17.20 kN of dynamic capacity per millimetre of bore before application factors. For relubrication, route the grease duct to the outer-ring W33 groove position where fitted, and purge until fresh grease appears at the seal — the 256 mm width across two roller rows needs the full charge.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- wind-turbine main shaft support
- heavy rolling-mill work-roll chocks
- large dredger and marine winch drums
- steel-plant continuous-caster segments
Known failure patterns
- raceway fatigue spalling of the sphered outer raceway after extended service above the catalogue L10 rating
- inner-ring raceway spalling from edge loading when misalignment exceeds the self-aligning recovery range
- stamped-steel cage fatigue after long service in high-vibration screening duty without the VA405 execution
- roller-end scoring from starved lubricant at start-up before the grease channel purges
- brinelling from static overload or impact during handling and mounting
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 400 mm bore the ring mass makes cocking during mounting a real risk; guide the bearing square, confirm seat contact around the full circumference, and re-check the self-aligning swing after the housing cap is torqued down.
- The 23200-series series at 400 mm bore (720×256 mm) adds still more width for shock-loaded and vibratory loads; it does not interchange with a 231 bearing of the same bore because the 256 mm width changes abutment spacing, even though the 720 mm OD matches.
- Catalogue reference speed and limiting speed are different limits: the 480 r/min reference is a thermal criterion under load, while the 670 r/min limiting value is the mechanical ceiling — observe both.
- The 450000 g mass and 256 mm width mean abutment faces must be square to the axis within the bearing's own P0 tolerance; a tilted spacer tilts the outer ring and concentrates load on one roller row of 23280.
- The 6881/10400 kN ratings are SKF catalogue values for this exact execution (23280 CA/W33); SKF can revise internal geometry without changing the order number, so keep the catalogue version (SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000) with the specification and re-verify for critical drives.
- SKF lists several executions of 23280 (cylindrical bore as listed, tapered-bore 23280 CCK/W33 variant, plus sealed and vibrating-screen options in the same envelope); they are not interchangeable order numbers — quote the full 23280 CA/W33 designation when purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and catalogue data of 23280?
The 23280 CA/W33 is a double-row spherical roller bearing with 400 mm bore, 720 mm outer diameter and 256 mm width (15.748 × 28.346 × 10.079 in) per ISO 15. From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: basic dynamic load rating C 6881 kN, C0 10400 kN, fatigue load limit Pu 680 kN, reference speed 480 r/min, limiting speed 670 r/min, mass about 450000 g. It is an open, self-aligning bearing with a one-piece machined brass cage guided on the inner ring (CA design).
How does the 23280 bore code work?
The last two digits of 23280 are bore code 80, so 80 × 5 = 400 mm bore. The 720 mm OD and 256 mm width come from the ISO 15 dimension-series plan (dimension series 32 (medium OD, extra wide)), shared with other spherical roller bearings of the same code.
What does the CA/W33 suffix mean on 23280?
CC denotes two pressed-steel cages with a floating guide ring between the roller rows, and W33 adds an annular groove plus three lubrication holes in the outer ring for relubrication. CCK/W33 is the 1:12 tapered-bore counterpart.
Can 23280 accommodate misalignment and axial load?
Yes on both counts. The sphered outer raceway lets the bearing self-align ≈ 0.5–2.5° depending on series, absorbing shaft deflection and housing-seat errors. The two barrel-roller rows also carry bidirectional axial load in addition to heavy radial load — this is the key difference from cylindrical roller bearings, which take no axial load.
When should the tapered-bore 23280K variant be used instead?
Choose the K (1:12 tapered bore) variant when the bearing must seat on an adapter or withdrawal sleeve — typical for long shafts, frequent dismounting, or stepped shafts where machining a precision journal is impractical. Sleeve mounting requires measuring clearance reduction or axial drive-up, not nut torque. The cylindrical-bore 23280 listed here seats directly on a machined journal.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.