Bucket Elevator Bucket Elevator | XingQing Machinery

Product Overview

The Bucket Elevator is a continuous conveying equipment that uses buckets running vertically or at a steep incline to lift bulk materials. Buckets are fixed at intervals on a belt or chain. The drive moves the traction element in a cycle. Buckets scoop material at the bottom and are lifted upward by the traction element. When reaching the top and passing the head pulley (or sprocket), material is discharged from the discharge port by centrifugal force or gravity. This page covers 6 series models: D series (belt centrifugal discharge, powder/granules), HL series (round chain centrifugal discharge, powder/granules), TH series (round chain gravity discharge, lump materials), PL series (plate chain gravity discharge, large lump materials), GTD series (high-strength belt, large capacity) and ZL series (plate chain continuous discharge, ultra-large capacity), with lifting height 10-100m, widely used in mining, metallurgy, building materials, chemical, grain and other industries for vertical material lifting.

Working Principle

Scooping Loading

When the bucket reaches the bottom with the traction element, it scoops material from the bottom inlet. D/HL series use high-speed centrifugal discharge with widely spaced buckets for high-speed scooping; TH/PL/ZL series use gravity discharge with closely spaced buckets where material flows into buckets by its own weight.

Vertical Lifting

The motor drives the head pulley (or sprocket) through a gearbox, moving the belt (or chain) with buckets vertically upward inside an enclosed casing. The casing is fully enclosed steel structure. Standard sections are assembled, each section 2-2.5m, connected by flanged bolts.

Discharge and Return

When the bucket reaches the top and passes the head wheel, D/HL centrifugal type uses centrifugal force to throw material into the discharge chute; TH/PL/ZL gravity type relies on material weight to fall into the discharge chute. Empty buckets return to the bottom along the return section, completing one cycle.

Elevating Process

Bottom Feed Inlet → Bucket Scooping → Vertical Lifting → Head Wheel Turning → Centrifugal/Gravity Discharge → Empty Bucket Return

Technical Parameters

Model	Bucket Width (mm)	Bucket Capacity (L)	Max. Particle (mm)	Capacity (m³/h)	Lifting Height (m)	Traction
D160	160	0.65/1.1	25	3.1-8.0	4-30	Belt
D250	250	2.6/3.2	35	11.8-21.6	4-30	Belt
D350	350	7.0/7.8	45	25-42	4-30	Belt
D450	450	14.5/15	55	48-69	4-30	Belt
HL300	300	5.2/4.4	40	16-28	4.5-30	Round Chain
HL400	400	10.5/10	50	30-47	4.5-30	Round Chain
TH315	315	3.75/6.0	45	35-59	6-40	Round Chain
TH400	400	5.9/9.5	55	58-94	6-40	Round Chain
TH500	500	9.3/15	60	73-118	6-40	Round Chain
TH630	630	14.6/23.6	70	114-185	6-40	Round Chain
GTD400	400	110	60	120-240	10-60	Steel Cord Belt
GTD500	500	160	80	180-350	10-80	Steel Cord Belt
PL250	250	3.3	55	22-30	5-30	Plate Chain
PL350	350	10.2	80	50-59	5-30	Plate Chain
PL450	450	22.4	110	85-100	5-30	Plate Chain
ZL450	450	85	100	85-160	10-30	Plate Chain
ZL600	600	160	120	140-320	10-40	Plate Chain

※ Bucket capacity "a/b" corresponds to deep/shallow bucket configurations. D series belt centrifugal, HL/TH chain centrifugal/gravity, PL/ZL plate chain gravity/continuous discharge. Capacity based on bulk density 1.0 t/m³. Subject to change without prior notice.

Structure Components

Component	Function Description	Material / Spec
Bucket	Container for scooping and carrying materials, installed at fixed intervals on the traction element (belt or chain). Deep buckets are suitable for dry, free-flowing powder/granules (e.g., grain, cement); shallow buckets for damp, sticky materials. Bucket shape is hydraulically optimized to reduce scooping resistance and discharge residue.	Q235 / 16Mn steel plate, stamped or welded
Traction (Belt/Chain)	Carries buckets in cyclic motion. D/GTD series use NN nylon core or steel cord belt. HL/TH series use alloy steel forged ring chain. PL/ZL series use plate chain (link chain) with strong impact resistance and wear resistance, suitable for large heavy materials.	NN Nylon core belt / Alloy steel round/plate chain
Head Pulley (Sprocket)	Installed at the elevator top, driven by gear motor. Belt type uses rubber-coated steel drum pulley; chain type uses ZG45 cast steel sprocket with hardened teeth.HRC45-52, wear-resistant. The head pulley also achieves discharge direction change.	Q235 steel drum with rubber lagging / ZG45 cast steel sprocket
Bottom Pulley (Sprocket)	Installed at the bottom inlet, serves for redirecting and tensioning. Includes screw/gravity take-up device. Similar to head but slightly smaller diameter.	Same as head, with take-up device
Casing	Fully enclosed steel protective passage consisting of head casing, standard middle sections, and bottom casing. Middle sections are 2-2.5m each with bolted flange connections.Equipped with observation windows and maintenance doors. Dust-proof and leak-proof, meeting environmental requirements.	Q235 bent steel plate + angle steel flange
Gear Motor	Drives the head pulley/sprocket. Configured with hardened gear reducer (carburized ground gears, efficiency ≥94%) + three-phase motor. IP55 rated, VFD ready. Fluid coupling for soft start on high power.	Hardened gear reducer + three-phase asynchronous motor
Backstop	Installed at the head pulley shaft to prevent reverse rotation under gravity when fully loaded during power failure. Ratchet type is simple and reliable; roller type responds faster.	Ratchet/Roller Backstop

Product Features

Compact Vertical Lift

Conveys materials vertically, occupying only 1/5 of the floor space of belt conveyors. Suitable for compact plant layout. Upright structure with feed at ground level and discharge at required height. Suitable for compact plant layouts.

High Lifting Capacity

Belt type (D series) lifting height up to 30m, chain type (TH/HL/PL) up to 40m, GTD high-strength steel cord belt up to 80m. Multi-stage series can exceed 100m, meeting vertical conveying needs for high-rise silos.

Fully Enclosed, No Pollution

Fully enclosed casing prevents material spillage and dust emission, meeting strict environmental requirements. Gasketed flanges, dust collection ports. Prevents rain and foreign objects entry.

Multi-Series Adaptability

D series for light powder/granules (grain, cement raw meal); TH for lump heavy materials (crushed stone, coal); PL/ZL for large abrasive materials (ore, clinker); GTD for ultra-large capacity. 6 series covering 3.1 to 350 m³/h capacity — the right match is always available.

Smooth Operation

Chain elevators have carburized pins for strong impact resistance and long life. Belt type uses high-strength NN nylon core belt for smooth, low-noise operation, ideal for grain and food industry.

Safety Protection

Standard backstop prevents reverse rotation. Optional: deviation switch, speed monitoring, level detection, and bearing temperature monitoring for comprehensive safety.

Application Fields

Cement Powder Lifting

Used in cement production lines for raw meal homogenizing silo discharge lifting, clinker lifting before grinding, and finished cement silo lifting. D and GTD series are the most common models for the cement industry, with enclosed conveying to prevent dust dispersion and meet strict emission standards.

Mill Feed in Processing Plants

Used for vertical lifting feeding after the front-end bin of ball mills/rod mills in mineral processing plants. TH chain type for medium lump ore (≤60mm), PL plate chain for large lump ore (≤110mm).

Dry Mortar Production Line

Used for vertical lifting and batching bin feeding of dried sand, cement, fly ash, and additives in dry mortar production lines. D series belt type offers good sealing.

Coal Vertical Transfer

Used for vertical lifting and transfer of coal in coal washing plants, coking plants, and power plants. TH series for lump coal (≤60mm) and fine coal silo in/out. Fully enclosed casing, optional explosion-proof motor.

Chemical Raw Material Lifting

Used for vertical lifting of powder and granular chemical materials (fertilizer, soda ash, plastic pellets). D and HL series offer stainless steel bucket and casing options for corrosive materials.

Grain Silo Feeding

Used for silo feed lifting of grains (wheat, corn, soybeans) in grain reserves and feed mills. D series belt type has low grain breakage rate (<0.1%) and low noise. 30m height covers most silo heights.

Raw Meal HomogenizingClinker LiftingSlag PowderFeed MillFertilizer LineLime Kiln Feeding

Selection Advice

By Material Size: Powder/small particles (≤35mm) choose D series; lump (≤60mm) choose HL/TH series; large lump (≤120mm) choose PL/ZL series. Bucket width should be at least 2-3 times the maximum particle size to ensure smooth scooping and clog-free discharge.
By Capacity Requirement: Medium-low capacity (≤100 m³/h) choose D/HL/TH series, covering most conventional operating conditions; high capacity (≥120 m³/h) choose GTD/ZL series, single unit can meet large production line lifting needs.
By Lifting Height: ≤30m choose belt D series (economical, smooth operation); ≤40m choose round chain HL/TH series (higher tensile strength, more reliable); >40m choose GTD steel cord belt or plate chain ZL series (ultra-high tensile strength for long-term safe operation).
Material Temperature: Normal temperature (≤80°C) choose standard belt; high temperature (80-150°C) require heat-resistant belt or round chain, belt needs heat-resistant formulation; >150°C choose plate chain PL/ZL, metal chain is unaffected by high temperature but thermal expansion compensation and bearing lubrication selection are needed.
Abrasive Materials: For highly abrasive materials (mineral powder, cement clinker, quartz sand), buckets need thickening to 4-6mm with wear-resistant hardfacing. Feed and discharge chutes should be lined with wear-resistant ceramic or cast stone. Traction element should be plate chain (PL/ZL) — its pins and bushings have higher quenched hardness, far better wear resistance than round chain and belt.
Outdoor Use: For outdoor installation, casing needs rain-proof sealing — rubber gaskets at flanges and sealant on bolt holes. Drive unit needs rain cover, motor protection grade upgraded to IP55 or higher. Belt should be weather-resistant (UV and ozone resistant formulation), electrical control cabinet needs rain shelter.