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In all structures there are several reasons why misalignment can occur at a bearing. This is especially true with large structures such as off-highway equipment of all types, agricultural tractors and implements and roadway vehicles. Equipment of these types will see more bearing alignment problems than smaller automobiles, garden equipment and machine tools. Misalignments can be attributed to distortion in welded units. Efforts to line bore long distances and simply the accumulation of tolerances on several parts also cause alignment problems. Even if the designer makes diligent efforts to reduce tolerancing and manufacturing inaccuracies, the bearing surface will still be subjected to structural misalignment simply due to load application even though not considered overloading. All of these misalignment causes can occur individually or simultantously subsequently causing bearing overloading to shorten bearing life or crush the bearing.

There are many types of bearings available that can be used for Off-Highway types of equipment. In fact, so many, that they can be classed in such a manner that the static capacity, dynamic capacity, velocity limits and temperature capability can be graduated to assist the designer in choosing a suitable material. A concise outline of both metal-backed, lubricated and self-lubricated bearings will be outlined along various types of self-lubricated, high-strength composites. Guidelines to choose a material based on application data will also be reviewed.