Slewing bearings often use two rows of rolling elements.

Slewing bearings resemble oversize aircraft control surface bearings.

Slewing bearings are often made with gear teeth integral with the inner or outer race, used to drive the platform relative to the base.

The wheel rotates together with the axle, which is supported by four-metre-diameter slewing bearings that are fitted to the ends of the axle and have their outer rings mounted on the plinths, which in turn are constructed on top of piled foundations.

Compared to other rolling-element bearings, slewing bearings are thin in section and are often made in diameters of a metre or more; the slewing bearings on the Falkirk Wheel are 4 metres diameter and fit over a 3.5 metre axle.