Whittet-Higgins is a family-owned American precision manufacturer based in Central Falls, Rhode Island, recognized globally as a leader in the design, engineering, and precision manufacturing of retaining devices and bearing accessories.

Their catalog spans 4,300+ adjustable retaining devices and tools — bearing locknuts, tanged lockwashers, adapter & withdrawal sleeves, shrink discs and locking collars, and matching installation wrenches. Every part is made in the USA. Apollo USA is a stocking distributor of genuine Whittet-Higgins products.

With the standard series, you use them as a pair. The locknut (N/AN inch or KM metric) threads onto the shaft to position and preload the bearing. A tanged lockwasher (W / WH series) sits between the bearing and the nut: an inner tang seats in the shaft keyway, and an outer tab is bent into a slot on the nut to keep it from backing off under vibration, shock, and torque.

Whittet-Higgins also makes self-locking series — Bearhug, Shoelok, Clampnut, and BearLok — that lock by themselves and need no separate lockwasher.

Choose a self-locking nut when you want faster installation, stepless (infinite) adjustment and preload, space savings, or frequent re-adjustment — and when you'd rather not rely on a keyway and washer. All of these resist loosening from vibration, shock, and torque, and they do not deform or damage the shaft threads:

• Bearhug (BH / BM) — prevailing-torque, frictional lock with uniform 360° holding and infinite adjustment.
• Shoelok (NSH / NSHM) — multiple-point tangential lock in hardened aircraft alloy for high axial-load capacity.
• Clampnut — single-point radial clamping lock for low-to-medium-speed applications.
• BearLok (BL / BLM) — multiple-point design with uniform 360° clamping to the center of the shaft and longitudinal (Z-axis) access.

You'll want four things: the thread size, the series (inch vs. metric), the thread direction (right- or left-hand), and whether you also need the matching lockwasher. The fastest route is to read the markings on the part you're replacing.

Not sure? Contact us with your shaft thread size and the part number you're replacing, and we'll match it for you.

Yes. Whittet-Higgins parts are built to recognized industry standards and designed to interchange. For example, the metric KM locknuts replace SKF KM; the W / WH tanged lockwashers replace the Standard, Rose, and Timken TW series; and the inch N / AN locknuts meet ANSI/ABMA 8.2 and interchange with the industry TAN series.

Send us your current part number and we'll confirm the exact equivalent before you order.

Yes. Most lines come in both — inch series (N/AN, W/WH, NSH, BH, BL, and more) and metric series (KM, NSHM, BM, BLM, and more). Be sure to match the thread system of your shaft.

Yes — many series are offered in both right-hand and left-hand threads. Left-hand is used where shaft rotation would tend to loosen a right-hand nut. Please specify thread direction when you order.

Standard parts are carbon or alloy steel. For corrosion resistance, choose stainless steel — the NS series (inch) and KMS series (metric). Heavy-duty options such as NH locknuts and WH lockwashers handle higher loads.

Note: standard carbon-steel Bearhug nuts are rated to roughly 160°F — ask us about higher-temperature options if your application runs hotter.

For a standard locknut and lockwasher, installation is straightforward — seat the nut and bend a washer tang into a nut slot. For correct seating and preload, use a spanner wrench; Whittet-Higgins offers matching spanner and installation wrenches (BAS, BASM, and PAS series) sized to their nuts. Self-locking nuts are set with their built-in screws or clamps using a hex key or torque wrench.

We can supply the correct wrench alongside your nut — just ask.

Yes. Everything we sell on this page is genuine Whittet-Higgins, precision-manufactured in Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA. Apollo USA is an authorized distributor.

Very likely, yes. Whittet-Higgins makes 4,300+ standard devices plus special and custom parts. If you don't see your size or series on the page, reach out and we'll source it, quote a special, or set up bulk/OEM pricing.

Order any in-stock item directly on the product page. For volume pricing, availability, or lead times, contact our team. To speed things up, include the thread size, series, thread direction (RH/LH), and quantity — or simply the part number you're replacing.