Tandem bearings consist of several axially arranged thrust cylindrical roller and cage assemblies. Two, three or four thrust cylindrical roller and cage assemblies can be used, corresponding to product designations 2,3,4,5,Six row and eight row tandem bearings  are also available. These products consist of two triple row and two four row tandem bearings respectively. The special elastic system of matched rings and washers made from hardened rolling bearing steel ensures that there is an equal load on all rows regardless of the magnitude of the axial load. Bench marking performed  has shown that a comparable competitor product has been designed only for a certain point of operation. Axial loads deviating from this point are not supported equally across all stages.