A multi-point support system with self-aligning trunnions to carry, on a
cradle frame, a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of trunnion
rings spaced along a central longitudinal axis. A thrust bearing
connected to the frame engages a trunnion ring to accommodate any
horizontal thrust load for an inclined cylindrical drum. Each
self-aligning trunnion includes a base plate on which is mounted a
trunnion roller with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the
central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. A pair of bearing
supports are connected to the base plate transversely with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the drum in order to permit arcuate movement of the
base plate about one bearing support and to permit tilting movement of
the base plate about a transverse axis through the bearing supports. The
arcuate and tilting movements of the base plate permit the trunnion
roller to maintain full tangential contact with the trunnion ring.