This paper reports on the balance weight effect on the lubrication and friction characteristics of crankshaft system. To determine the main bearing loads, the crankshaft was treated as statically determinate system. Four and eight-balance weight crankshafts were considered, and minimum oil film thickness and friction loss were calculated. The main bearing loads were increased in the four-balance shaft due to the increasing of unbalanced rotating mass at No. 1 and 3 main bearing sides. The minimum oil film thickness of four-balance shaft became thinner than eight-balance, and friction loss was increased.