SKF TIH 220m Large Induction Bearing Heater, 300 kg

The large TIH…m heater for gearbox, mill and pump bearings

The SKF TIH 220m is a robust induction heater suited to bearings up to 300 kg and solid components up to 150 kg. It belongs to the TIH…m range, which uses power electronics with current and overheating control. SKF quotes a 220 kg bearing heated in 20 minutes, with the example 23172 CC/W33 taken to 110 C.

Two yokes are supplied, covering bores from 60 mm up to a bearing weight of 300 kg, and a sliding arm carries the large yoke. For plants that overhaul large gearboxes, pump drives, fans and crusher bearings this is the heater class that replaces oil baths and torches.

Technical specifications

Safety and handling features

An induction coil outside the housing shortens heating time and lowers energy use. Foldable support arms allow large bearings to be heated and reduce the risk of toppling. A magnetic temperature probe and a temperature mode preset at 110 C help prevent overheating, the remote control carries the display and control panel, and the smaller yoke stores inside the unit. Integrated handles help move the heater around the workshop. As SKF notes, the maximum temperature depends on the weight and geometry of the part.

Electrical demand and site planning

Power consumption of 10 to 12 kVA is a serious load. Check the workshop supply, breaker rating and cable before ordering, and choose between the LV version (200 to 240 V) and the MV version (400 to 460 V). The smaller SKF TIH 030m is a separate listing for small bearings. SKF defines m20 as the weight of the heaviest series 231 spherical roller bearing the heater can take from 20 to 110 C in 20 minutes, which is a clearer guide than maximum weight alone. More heating equipment sits under Induction Heating & Preheating.

Plan the workshop around the heater: a crane or hoist is practical for bearings approaching 300 kg, the bearing should rest centred on the yoke, and a heated bearing must be handled with heat-resistant gloves and mounted promptly before it cools and shrinks on the shaft. The heater demagnetises the bearing to below 2 A/cm, which helps keep steel particles from sticking to it after heating, according to SKF norms.

Setting up the heater before the first job

Position the TIH 220m on a level, stable floor or a strong workbench that can carry the unit together with the heaviest bearing you intend to heat. Leave clear space around the coil so that the support arms can be folded out and the sliding arm can travel freely when the large yoke is moved. Keep the area free of loose steel parts, tools and jewellery, because the strong magnetic field near the coil can heat or pull metal objects that are not meant to be in it. Route the supply cable so it cannot be crushed by a trolley or a lifted load, and connect it only to a supply that matches the voltage version ordered.

First heating cycle and operator checks

For commissioning, start with a small bearing and the smaller yoke, attach the magnetic temperature probe close to the bore on the inner ring, and run the preset temperature mode to confirm that the heater stops at the set value and demagnetises the part. Check that the remote control responds correctly, that the display reading follows the probe, and that the operator understands how to stop a cycle at once. Write a short work instruction for your workshop covering yoke selection, probe placement, lifting method and the protective equipment required, so that every shift handles heavy, hot bearings in the same way.

Workshop conditions in Oman and the GCC

Many maintenance workshops in Oman serve cement plants, mines, desalination and oil and gas sites, where heat, airborne dust and grit are part of daily life. Electronics in any induction heater prefer clean, dry surroundings, so store the TIH 220m under cover when it is not in use, keep its ventilation openings free of dust, and wipe abrasive deposits from the coil area and yoke contact faces before each job. In humid coastal workshops, check bearings and yokes for surface moisture or corrosion before heating. When summer temperatures inside a workshop are high, give the heater adequate room to shed its own heat between long cycles and avoid parking it in direct sunlight beside a roller door.

Care of yokes and accessories

The yokes must sit flat on the pole faces of the coil for efficient heating, so inspect their contact surfaces for burrs, scale or damage and clean them regularly. Keep the smaller yoke in its internal storage position so it is not lost or knocked about in the workshop, and protect the temperature probe cable from sharp edges and hot surfaces. Inspect the supply cable and plug for wear at every service interval. If the heater is moved between sites, use the integrated handles and suitable lifting gear, and recheck the condition of the arms and yokes before it is used again.

Selection questions to settle first

Before ordering, list the heaviest and the smallest bearings you expect to mount, their bore sizes and outer dimensions, and any solid components such as couplings or gears that you plan to heat. Compare these with the operating area and bore range in the table above, and confirm whether your workshop supply favours the LV or the MV version.

Documents and quotation

The SKF leaflet is attached. Send the version (TIH 220m/LV or TIH 220m/MV), quantity and delivery point, plus the heaviest bearing you need to mount, for a quotation.