Timken^® Rail Seals

Railcars and locomotives run around the clock under heavy loads, constant vibration and frequent changes in weather and track conditions. Dirt, moisture and debris are persistent, and components are expected to perform reliably over long miles — where even small issues can lead to costly delays, safety risk and supply-chain disruption. In this environment, you need sealing solutions that protect bearings and help keep freight moving safely, on schedule and in compliance.

Timken rail sealing solutions are engineered to meet the demands of modern rail transportation — including higher loads and speeds and longer wheel life — with designs that help protect critical systems and extend maintenance intervals. Our portfolio includes products designed to reduce seal-generated friction and help support reliable, efficient rail operation over long service intervals. Design options include:

• EcoTurn® Labyrinth Seal: A non-contacting labyrinth design engineered to essentially eliminate seal torque, reducing frictional forces to support better fuel economy and lower emissions. EcoTurn exceeds Association of American Railroads (AAR) M959 water-exclusion requirements and outperformed a competitor’s premium low-torque seal in Timken testing utilizing AAR M959 standard testing procedures for the equivalent of 100,000 service miles (162,000 km). 

• HDL™ Seal: Close-clearance, hydrodynamic labyrinth seal design that contributes to lower torque, operating temperatures and fuel consumption than other lip-type seals. Bearings with HDL seals run cooler and retain more grease, which keeps dirt, debris and water out. 

Timken Rail Seals help reduce contamination and support consistent sealing performance over long miles. Our EcoTurn Seal is designed to operate with near-zero seal torque, helping bearings run cooler and reducing the likelihood of hot-box set-outs compared with traditional rubbing-type seals and competitor low-torque designs — improving uptime, efficiency and total cost of operation.

• Railroad journal roller bearings in freight cars