Bucket Elevator
When bulk material has to go up, a bucket elevator is usually the most efficient answer. TiERMAX bucket elevators lift grains, powders, pellets, minerals and chemicals to heights of about 245 ft (75 m) and handle up to roughly 26,000 ft³/h (750 m³/h) in a small footprint.
Belts or chains are selected according to particle size and product temperature, and bucket shape, material and belt speed are matched to the product so each bucket fills and empties cleanly. Even sticky and moist materials can be elevated reliably. Explosion-protected versions are available for combustible dust, and all product contact parts can be supplied in food-grade materials. Elevators are often paired with screw conveyors at the inlet and outlet.
Bucket Elevator - Models
Bucket Elevator
Bucket elevators lift grains, pellets, fertilizers, minerals and other granular products to high elevations.
Modular, configurable designs offer high capacity, easy maintenance and durable construction.
Pendulum bucket elevator
Pendulum bucket elevators convey fragile granular products gently and without contamination.
Space-saving loops with flexible loading and discharge points move product horizontally and vertically.
Bucket Elevator - Benefits
A bucket elevator lifts powders, granules and other bulk solids vertically with high capacity in a very small footprint, keeping product loss, energy use and maintenance low.
High Vertical Conveying Capacity −
Lifts large volumes to significant heights with continuous, reliable operation.
Space-Saving Design +
Gentle Material Handling +
Low Maintenance Operation +
Energy-Efficient Performance +
Wide Range of Applications +
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Contact us todayBucket Elevator - Features
TiERMAX bucket elevators are built from modular casing sections and configured for your capacity, product and building height. They connect easily to conveyors, silos, mixers and packaging lines.
- Modular Construction Modular casing sections for simple installation and future changes.
- Multiple Bucket Options Steel, stainless steel or plastic buckets in many sizes.
- Wide Capacity Range Models from low to very high capacity.
- Flexible Inlet & Outlet Configurable loading and discharge points.
- Safety & Monitoring Speed sensors, anti-jam devices, backstops and level monitoring.
- Material & Finish Options Carbon steel, painted, stainless, sanitary and explosion-protected versions.
How a bucket elevator works
A bucket elevator carries a row of buckets on an endless belt or chain inside an enclosed casing. Material enters at the boot, fills the buckets and is lifted to the head, where it discharges by centrifugal force or gravity. The empty buckets return down the other leg, so the elevator runs continuously.
Designed around your material and capacity
Capacity, lift height and product behavior drive the design. Bucket widths range from about 5 in to 49 in (125–1,250 mm), and buckets are available in steel, stainless steel or engineered plastic. Spacing and speed are set for gentle, low-spill handling of fragile products or for high throughput of heavy, abrasive materials such as cement, clinker, sand and fertilizer.
Looking for a Reliable Bucket Elevator?
Our experts can help you select the right bucket elevator solution for your material and production requirements.
Pendulum bucket elevators
For fragile granules, snacks, pet food and other delicate products, pendulum bucket elevators keep each bucket level throughout travel. They can convey horizontally and vertically in one loop and discharge at several points, which reduces transfer points and product damage.
Safety and monitoring
Speed sensors, belt-alignment switches, backstops, level monitoring and dust-extraction connections protect the elevator and the plant. Explosion-protected designs are available for grain, sugar, flour and other combustible dust applications, with hazardous-location requirements reviewed for each project.
Frequently Asked Questions
A bucket elevator is a vertical conveyor that lifts powders, granules, pellets and other dry materials to an elevated discharge point using buckets mounted on a belt, chain or pendulum system.
Buckets fill at the boot, travel up inside an enclosed casing and empty at the head. The empty buckets return to the boot for continuous operation.
Choose a pendulum elevator for fragile products or when you need several discharge points. The buckets stay level throughout travel, which minimizes breakage.
Yes. Bucket elevators can be built for challenging materials with:
• Wear-resistant buckets, chains and liners
• Heavy-duty casings
• Dust-extraction connections
• High-temperature materials of construction
They are widely used in cement, mineral, fertilizer, chemical and energy plants.
Key selection factors:
• Material properties
• Required capacity in tons per hour or ft³/h
• Lift height
• Bucket type and size
• Discharge method
• Material temperature
• Abrasiveness and moisture
• Automation and safety requirements
An elevator engineered for these conditions delivers reliable, long-term service.
