Bucket Elevator
The Bucket Elevator is a continuous conveying machine that vertically lifts bulk materials using a series of buckets uniformly attached to an endless traction member (belt or chain).
Keywords:
Bucket Elevator
Category:
Lifting conveyor
Product Description
The Bucket Elevator is a continuous conveying machine that vertically lifts bulk materials using a series of buckets uniformly attached to an endless traction member (belt or chain). The buckets scoop up materials from the bottom storage, lift them vertically or near-vertically to the top, and discharge the materials into the receiving chute as they flip over the head sprocket or pulley.
The system consists of buckets, a traction member (rubber belt or chain), drive unit, head and tail sprockets/pulleys, tensioning device, and sealed casing to prevent dust emission. It is designed for low-to-high elevation of powders, granules, and small lump materials, with high efficiency and compact footprint.
Specifications
| Parameter | Range / Options |
| Traction type | Belt drive (TD series), Ring chain (HL/TH series), Plate chain (NE series) |
| Elevating height | Standard: 4m – 40m; up to 130m with steel-cord belts or heavy-duty designs |
| Conveying capacity | 4 – 800 m³/h (model-dependent) |
| Bucket types | Q (shallow), H (arc-bottom), ZD (medium-deep), SD (deep) — selectable based on material characteristics |
| Material bulk density | ≤ 1.5 t/m³ (TD series); up to 2.5 t/m³ for heavy-duty designs |
| Material temperature | ≤ 60°C (standard rubber belt); ≤ 120°C (heat-resistant belt); ≤ 250°C (chain types) |
| Max material lump size | 25mm – 70mm (model-dependent) |
| Traction belt material | Rubber belt (standard/heat-resistant/oil-resistant), Steel cord belt (high tensile) |
| Traction chain material | Alloy steel ring chain, Plate chain (high-strength alloy steel) |
| Discharge method | Centrifugal, gravity, or mixed discharge |
| Loading method | Scooping (digging), gravity/flow-in feeding |
| Frame material | Carbon steel (spray-coated), Stainless Steel |
Applications
Bucket elevators are widely used for vertical transport of bulk materials across industries:
Bulk Material Handling: Coal, cement, gravel, sand, fertilizer, grain, feed, and other granular or powder materials
Food & Agriculture: Grains, seeds, dry produce, animal feed
Mining & Quarrying: Ore, crushed stone, aggregates, limestone
Chemical & Construction: Cement, clay, dry chemical powders, clinker
Pharmaceutical & Light Industry: Small granules, powders for tablet pressing
Common Configurations:
TD Series (Belt-driven): Suitable for powder, granular, and small lump materials with low abrasiveness; centrifugal or mixed discharge
TH/HL Series (Ring chain-driven): Suitable for moderately abrasive materials; high temperature resistance up to 250°C
NE Series (Plate chain-driven): Suitable for heavy loads, large lumps, and abrasive materials; gravity discharge; high capacity
Our Advantages
| Feature | Description |
| High efficiency & low power consumption | Flow-in feeding and induced discharge minimize backflow and scooping resistance; power consumption is significantly lower than traditional designs |
| Wide application range | Handles powders, granules, small lumps, and even abrasive materials; sealed casing minimizes environmental pollution |
| Reliable operation | Advanced design ensures >20,000 hours trouble-free operation; stable running enables high elevation heights |
| Long service life | Flow-in feeding reduces material collisions and mechanical wear; fewer parts means less maintenance |
| Multiple traction options | Belt, ring chain, and plate chain options available for different material characteristics and working conditions |
| High temperature capability | Chain-type elevators handle up to 250°C; heat-resistant belts handle up to 120°C |
| Flexible configurations | Multiple bucket types (Q/H/ZD/SD) and discharge methods (centrifugal/gravity/mixed) to suit different materials |
| Compact footprint | Minimal floor space requirement for vertical elevation; ideal for space-constrained plants |
| Easy maintenance | Simple structure; gravity tensioning devices maintain constant tension and prevent chain slipping |
FAQ
Q1: What are the main types of bucket elevators?
Three main types based on traction member: Belt-driven (TD series) – for powders and fine granules at ≤60°C; Ring chain (HL/TH series) – for moderately abrasive materials up to 250°C; Plate chain (NE series) – for heavy loads, large lumps, and abrasive materials up to 250°C.
Q2: What bucket types are available?
Four types: Q (shallow) – fine, free-flowing materials; H (arc-bottom) – cohesive/wet materials; ZD (medium-deep) – granular materials; SD (deep) – heavy, large-particle, dry materials.
Q3: What is the maximum elevating height?
Standard belt-driven elevators reach up to 40m; steel-cord belt designs can exceed 80m, with some specialized designs reaching 130m.
Q4: What temperature range can the equipment handle?
Standard rubber belts handle up to 60°C; heat-resistant belts handle up to 120°C; chain-driven elevators (ring chain and plate chain) handle up to 250°C.
Q5: What is the difference between centrifugal, gravity, and mixed discharge?
Centrifugal discharge – high bucket speed; material thrown out by centrifugal force; for dry, free-flowing powders/fine granules. Gravity discharge – low bucket speed; material falls out by gravity; for large lumps and abrasive materials. Mixed discharge – combination of both; for medium particle sizes.
Q6: What types of materials are suitable?
Bucket elevators are suitable for most free-flowing powders, granules, and small lumps. Material bulk density should generally be ≤1.5 t/m³ for belt-driven types, with heavy-duty chain types handling higher densities. Sticky or highly cohesive materials may require specialized designs.
Q7: What is the maximum lump size?
Depends on model – generally 25mm to 70mm. For TD series, max lump size ranges from 25mm (TD160) to 70mm (TD630). Larger lumps require larger bucket and casing dimensions.
Q8: How reliable is the equipment?
Advanced design ensures trouble-free operation exceeding 20,000 hours. Chain-driven types feature gravity tensioning devices that maintain constant tension and protect against chain slipping.

Contact Us
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Jinan,Shandong, China
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Company Profile
Jinan Stark Machinery Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of conveying equipment, headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China. With over 10 years of industry experience, we specialize in the R&D, production, and sales of high-quality material handling solutions.
Our products are exported to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, and beyond, earning trust from clients worldwide. We provide end-to-end services, including technical consulting, design, installation, commissioning, and after-sales support.
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