Further analysis shows lube oil contamination to be the main cause of bearing and gear box failure.
With spread sheets for statistical analysis available and reliability teams to accumulate the data, ownership costs associated with premature bearing failure become very obvious. Maybe Not Typical elastomeric shaft seals are guaranted for 2,880 hours or four months. The bearings they protect should last 6 years or longer. The oil seal itself contributes to the problem through heat generation and shaft fretting. The lip seal is designed to rub constantly against the rotating shaft.