A bucket elevator is a mechanical device used to vertically transport bulk materials such as grains, powders, sand, and cement. It consists of a series of buckets attached to a belt, chain, or pulley system, which moves materials from a lower level to a higher level. Bucket elevators are widely used in industries like agriculture, mining, construction, and food processing due to their efficiency and reliability. In this article, we’ll explore the design, working principle, parts, applications, and types of bucket elevators, along with their advantages and pricing.

Bucket Elevator Parts List and Functions

Here are the key components of a bucket elevator and their functions:
Bucket Elevator Belt Splice: Connects the ends of the belt, ensuring smooth operation.
Bucket Elevator Bearings: Support the rotating shafts, reducing friction and wear.
Bucket Elevator Belt Tension: Maintains proper belt tension to prevent slippage.
Bucket Elevator Head: The top section where materials are discharged.

Bucket Elevator Design

Working Principle of Bucket Elevator

The working principle of a bucket elevator is a continuous cycle of material gripping, lifting and unloading. At its core, the material is transported from a low to a high level by means of a hopper fixed to a traction component such as a chain, belt or plate chain. Specifically, the material first enters the base of the hoist through the bottom inlet, and the hopper scoops up the material during operation. With the movement of the traction parts, the hopper rises along a vertical or near-vertical track. When the hopper reaches the top header, the material is thrown out of the hopper due to centrifugal force or gravity and discharged through the discharge opening. The empty hopper then returns to the machine base along the downward track to start a new round of material gripping and lifting.

bucket elevator conveyor working principle

Advantages and Applications of Bucket Elevators

Advantages

High efficiency in vertical material transport.
Compact design, saving floor space.
Suitable for a wide range of materials.
Low maintenance and long service life.

Applications

Bucket elevators are widely used in various industries. At Sanyuantang, we specialize in providing bucket elevators for:

Sand Production Lines: Used in screening and conveying sand.
Grains: Ideal for rice mills and grain processing plants.
Powder: Suitable for cement plants and chemical industries.
Rice Mills: Efficiently transports rice and by-products.
Cement Plants: Handles bulk materials like clinker and cement.

We also offer complete production line solutions, including crushers, belt conveyors, and screening machines, tailored to your needs.

Bucket Elevator Belt Specifications

Model		TH160		TH250		TH315		TH400		TH500		TH630		TH800		TH1000		TH1250
Hopper type		zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh	zh	sh
Conveying capacity, m 3 /h		19	30	30	48	35	59	58	94	73	118	114	185	150	240	240	360	360	540
Hopper	Hopper capacity(l)	1.2	1.9	3	4.8	3.75	6	5.9	9.5	9.3	15	14.6	23.6	24	38	38	60	60	95
	Hopper distance(mm)	350		450		512				688				936		936		1001
Chain	Diameter of round steel x section (mm)	φ12X45		φ18X64						φ22X86				φ24X86		φ24X86		φ28X92
	Single chain breaking strength (KN)	≥170		≥320						≥480				≥560		≥560		≥660
Hopper movement Speed (m/s)		1.3		1.2		1.4				1.5				1.6		1.6		1.6
Chain sprocket rotation (r/min)		62.5		46.8		42.5		37.6		35.8		31.8		30.5		30.5		28
Maximum lump size of material to be conveyed (mm)		20		25		35		40		50		60		75		85		100

Bucket Elevator Belt Specifications pdf Download

Bucket Elevator Price

Type	Price Range (USD)
Chain Bucket Elevator	$5,000−20,000
Belt Bucket Elevator	$3,000−15,000
Paddle Bucket Elevator	$7,000−25,000

For an accurate quote, contact us directly.

Why Choose Us?

As a leading supplier and manufacturer of bucket elevators with over 20 years of experience, Sanyuantang is committed to providing high quality, customized production line solutions. We can provide you with one-stop solutions, including design program, technical guidance, installation guidance, warranty service, etc.

Conclusion

Bucket elevators are essential for vertical material transport in various industries. Whether you need a chain, belt, or plate bucket elevator, Sanyuantang has the expertise and experience to deliver reliable, efficient solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services!

FAQs

Q1: What materials are bucket elevators used for?

A1: Bucket elevators are mainly used for vertically conveying grains, powders, sand, cement, clinker, and similar bulk materials. We supply bucket elevators for sand production lines, rice mills, cement plants, and chemical processing facilities, where stable and continuous vertical conveying is required.

Q2: What is the capacity range of bucket elevators?

A2: The capacity of a bucket elevator depends on the model and configuration. We offer TH series bucket elevators with conveying capacities from 19 m³/h up to 540 m³/h, covering small-scale handling needs to high-capacity industrial production lines.

Q3: What size material can a bucket elevator handle?

A3: The allowable material size varies by model. Our bucket elevators can handle material lump sizes from 20 mm to 100 mm, with larger models suitable for materials in the 85–100 mm range, depending on the selected specification.

Q4: Can bucket elevators be customized?

A4: Yes. We provide customized bucket elevator solutions based on material characteristics, required capacity, and production line layout. We can also integrate bucket elevators with crushers, belt conveyors, and screening machines as part of a complete production line.

Q5: How much does a bucket elevator cost?

A5: Bucket elevator prices vary by type and configuration. Our belt bucket elevators typically range from USD 3,000 to 15,000, chain bucket elevators from USD 5,000 to 20,000, and paddle bucket elevators from USD 7,000 to 25,000. We recommend confirming specifications for an accurate quotation.

Q6: Who manufactures bucket elevators?

A6: We are a professional bucket elevator manufacturer and supplier with over 20 years of experience, providing equipment design, technical support, installation guidance, and after-sales service for industrial material handling projects.