Four-row cylindrical roller bearings are used almost exclusively for the roll necks of rolling mill stands, calenders and roller presses. Their friction is low compared with other roller bearings. As they are normally mounted with an interference fit on the roll neck, they are particularly suitable for rolling mill applications where the rolling speed is high.

The low bearing cross section allows for relatively large roll neck diameters in comparison with the roll diameter. Since very many rollers can be incorporated, the radial load carrying capacity is exceptionally high.

Four-row cylindrical roller bearings are only able to accommodate radial loads. They are therefore mounted together with deep groove or angular contact ball bearings, or with tapered roller bearings, either radial or thrust designs, which take up the axial loads.