Craft Split Roller Bearings come in two types—held (non-expansion) and float (expansion)—across all sizes and series. These variations meet the needs of applications that either require a fixed shaft position or allow for axial movement.

Held Bearing (HD)
Handles both radial (perpendicular) and axial (parallel) loads. Its primary purpose is to anchor the shaft in position, prevent shaft drift, and absorb thrust (side) loads. It’s usually mounted on the drive side, directing shaft expansion away from the drive. For applications with high thrust loads, contact our technical department for proper bearing selection.

Float Bearing (FL)
Also called an “expansion” bearing, it handles only radial loads and accommodates shaft thermal growth. Typically mounted opposite the drive end, it works alongside a held or fixed bearing on a shared shaft section.

In most cases, each solid shaft section uses one held and one float bearing. For long line shafting, you might use a single held bearing with the remaining bearings as float types. Placement can vary by application.

When installing both float and held Craft bearings, keep each type’s components separate as shipped. They are not interchangeable and are manufactured in matched sets for correct internal clearance and fit. Mixing parts could lead to poor performance or premature failure.