Pillow Blocks
Bearing units in a ready-made housing — a self-aligning insert bearing already mounted in a cast or pressed body that bolts straight to a frame. UCP, UCF and UCFL designations cover the common pedestal, square-flange and two-bolt-flange forms.
The point of a pillow block is that it removes the need for a machined bearing housing. The insert is spherical on its outside, so the unit tolerates a degree or two of shaft misalignment and can be bolted to a welded frame that was never line-bored. On a long conveyor shaft, where the two ends are metres apart and were fabricated separately, that tolerance is not a convenience but a requirement.
Most are fitted with a grub-screw lock on the inner ring, which is quick but marks the shaft; adapter-sleeve and eccentric-collar versions grip without marking where the shaft has to be reused.
Select by shaft diameter and mounting form. Sourced to order — send the shaft size, the load and which face you can bolt to.
Lines in this category
- UCP pedestal units
- UCF square flange units
- UCFL two-bolt flange units
- UCT take-up units
- Cast iron housings
- Pressed steel housings
- Stainless and thermoplastic housings
Products
We source this line to order
We do not hold this category in stock, and we would rather say so than list parts we cannot ship. Send a part list, a specification or a photograph and we will quote it with a lead time — this is a line we supply regularly to order.
How to choose
Shaft diameter fixes the insert, so choose the mounting form first from where you can physically get a bolt. A pedestal unit bolts to a surface parallel to the shaft; a flange unit bolts to a surface perpendicular to it. Then the housing material: cast iron for load and rigidity, pressed steel where weight and cost matter more, stainless or thermoplastic for washdown. Then the locking method — grub screws are fine on a dedicated shaft, but specify an eccentric collar or adapter sleeve if the shaft must survive the bearing.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between UCP, UCF and UCFL?
The same insert bearing in three housing shapes. UCP is a pedestal that bolts to a base parallel to the shaft, UCF is a square four-bolt flange perpendicular to it, UCFL is a two-bolt oval flange for tighter spaces. Choose by which face you can bolt to.
How much misalignment can a pillow block take?
Typically one to two degrees, from the spherical outer surface of the insert. That covers a fabricated frame, not a bent shaft — misalignment beyond a couple of degrees needs correcting rather than absorbing.
Can I replace just the insert bearing?
Yes on most units, and it is usually the cheaper repair. Send the housing designation and we will confirm the matching insert.