Episode 28: "Bearing" Down on Performance

Jason Reed

What's up, everyone, welcome back to The Big Dog Podcast. I’m Jason Reed, and I’m here with Lisa Saunders. Today, we’re, uh, “bearing” down on a topic that doesn’t get enough love—bearings inside rotary screw compressors. Lisa, you ready to get into the guts of these machines?

Lisa Saunders

Always, Jason. Bearings are like the unsung heroes, right? I mean, they’re doing all the heavy lifting—reducing friction, absorbing loads, keeping everything spinning smoothly. And we’re talking about shafts running at, what, 3,000 to 6,000 RPMs? That’s wild.

Jason Reed

Yeah, and don’t forget those tip speeds—up to 230 feet per second in oil-free compressors. That’s, like, faster than a fastball out of the major leagues. And if those bearings aren’t up to snuff, you’re looking at downtime, lost production, and a whole lotta headaches.

Lisa Saunders

So let’s break down the types. You’ve got ball bearings—those are for high-speed, low-load spots. Then roller bearings, which handle higher radial loads. Thrust bearings, mostly for axial loads, and journal bearings, which are more for reciprocating compressors, right?

Jason Reed

Exactly. In rotary screw compressors, like the ones Kaishan makes, it’s mostly ball and roller bearings. Sometimes a combo, depending on the design. And, uh, Kaishan uses premium SKF bearings across the board. That’s not just a name drop—SKF’s got a reputation for a reason.

Lisa Saunders

I always wondered, Jason, does it really make a difference? Like, can you actually see the impact of switching to a better bearing?

Jason Reed

Oh, for sure. I’ve got a story—there was this plant, running a bunch of compressors, and they kept having bearing failures. Like, every few months, same issue. They finally switched to premium SKF bearings—cost a bit more up front, but after that, failures basically stopped. They saved thousands, not just on parts, but on lost production. Sometimes you gotta spend a little to save a lot, you know?

Lisa Saunders

That’s the kind of thing people don’t always see on the balance sheet, but it adds up. And it’s not just about the bearings themselves—it’s about the whole system running smoother, longer.

Lisa Saunders

So, let’s talk about design. Two-stage compressors, like Kaishan’s KRSP2, split the workload between two stages. That means less stress and heat on each bearing, right?

Jason Reed

Yeah, exactly. Instead of two bearings taking all the thrust load, you’ve got four on the first stage and three on the second. That spreads out the stress, so each bearing lasts longer. Plus, you get 15 to 20 percent more airflow compared to a single-stage. It’s a win-win.

Lisa Saunders

And that’s not just marketing talk. I mean, the numbers back it up. More airflow, less wear, and—this is big—Kaishan backs it with a lifetime airend warranty. Most places, you get a year or two, maybe, but a lifetime? That’s a statement.

Jason Reed

Yeah, standard warranty’s 12 months on the whole package, 24 months on the airend, but with the KRSP and KRSP2, you get that lifetime coverage. It’s, uh, kind of a game changer for folks who want to run these things for the long haul.

Lisa Saunders

And maintenance plays a huge role in making that warranty count. I talked to a maintenance team last month—they do oil sampling every 2,000 hours, like clockwork. Caught a failing bearing early, just from a little extra metal in the oil. Saved them from a total breakdown. Sometimes it’s the small habits that make the biggest difference.

Jason Reed

Yeah, and that’s not just a Kaishan thing—most manufacturers want you to do oil sampling to keep your warranty. But it’s smart anyway. If you see metal fines in the oil, that’s your early warning. Ignore it, and you’re rolling the dice on a shutdown.

Jason Reed

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of keeping bearings happy. First off, control your environment—keep out humidity, heat, and contaminants. Then, periodic lubrication. Kaishan uses oil in the circuit, sometimes with an auxiliary pump for bigger or oil-free units. But you gotta follow the manufacturer’s schedule, or you’re asking for trouble.

Lisa Saunders

And don’t forget about distributor support. I mean, you can do everything right, but sometimes you need a pro on-site. Kaishan’s network of local distributors is a big deal—no red tape, just quick diagnostics and real help when you need it.

Jason Reed

Yeah, I remember a plant where a critical line went down—bearing issue, of course. The local Kaishan distributor was there in, like, an hour. Had the right part, got them back up before the shift ended. That’s the kind of support you can’t put a price on.

Lisa Saunders

And for oil-free compressors, it’s a whole other level. They run faster, use labyrinth seals to keep oil out of the airend, and if you get oil contamination, you’re in for a world of hurt. Kaishan’s design really focuses on keeping those bearings isolated and clean, which is huge for reliability.

Jason Reed

Bottom line—bearings