32940 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.1 metric single-row TRB) · extracted 2026-09-28

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.1 metric single-row TRB); 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.

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 32940 model number is decoded

SKF 32940 belongs to the SKF single-row tapered roller range — the 200 mm bore entry in the 32900 series, dimensioned 280 mm OD and 51 mm wide to the ISO 355 boundary plan.The code breaks down as type prefix 3 (tapered roller), series 29 (the very-light thin section), and bore code 40 = 200 mm; dimensions 200×280×51 mm therefore match the ISO 355 envelope. The SKF catalogue adds the ISO 355 dimension-series code after the bare number (e.g. 3EC); it is the dimensional series, not a separate part number. With C 588 kN and C0 950 kN, the 32940 pair-sizing check is dominated by the axial share: keep the equivalent load P below the rating at the required L10, remembering one bearing alone cannot cover reversing thrust at 2,000 r/min. Note the minimum-axial-load requirement: at light radial load and high speed the rollers of 32940 must still be held into the rib contact, which is another reason the catalogue recommends paired mounting with controlled setting. Load system: the 588 kN basic dynamic rating C and 950 kN static rating C0 give a C0/C balance of 1.62, and dividing C by the 200 mm bore yields 2.94 kN per millimetre of journal — a density metric that compares across families; the 88 kN fatigue limit Pu is the floor beneath which the adjusted-life calculation drops below acceptable L10 hours for a 200 mm shaft carrying variable duty.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• At 200 mm bore the cone mass is high enough that cocking during mounting damages the cage and rib; guide the ring square, confirm seat contact around the full circumference, and re-check setting after the first thermal cycle of the paired set.
• The 329 series at 200 mm bore (280×51 mm) is the very-light thin-section envelope: the smallest OD of any tapered family at this bore, ideal where radial space is severely limited, but capacity is well below a 30240 of the same bore — confirm the L10 life and minimum axial load before choosing it.
• Do not mix brands or executions inside one 32940 pair — matched sets are ground for a specific setting, and pairing a SKF basic unit with a different suffix variant will not share the setting evenly.
• At the 588 kN rating of 32940, preload class changes stiffness by tens of percent but also heat generation; select light preload for the 2,000 r/min speed end and heavier preload only where moment stiffness dominates.
• The pressed-steel cage is rated for standard industrial service; sustained running above the limiting speed or with degraded lubricant wears the cage pockets — inspect the cage at every relubrication interval.
• The 588/950 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 values for the basic execution; SKF can revise internal geometry without changing the order number, so keep the catalogue version (PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN, 2018) with the specification and re-verify for critical drives.
• SKF lists several executions of 32940 (basic, B steeper angle, Q/J2 clearance variants); they are not interchangeable order numbers — quote the full SKF 32940 designation when purchasing and match the execution to the mounting arrangement.