Backing bearings have been specially developed for cold rolling mills of the cluster type, but can also be used for other applications, e.g. straightening or bending machines. Backing bearings are roller bearings having a particularly thick-walled outer ring and can be mounted on stationary support shafts to form back-up or straightening rolls. The forces from the work rolls are transmitted via the support shaft and a system of support saddles to the roll or machine stands. Fig 1 shows the arrangement of the backing bearings on the eight support shafts of a 20-roll mill.