Belt bucket elevator

What is a Belt bucket elevator?

A belt bucket elevator is a vertical conveying system designed to transport bulk materials from one level to another using a series of buckets attached to an endless belt. Unlike chain-driven systems, these elevators rely on a reinforced rubber or composite belt to carry buckets, which continuously scoop, lift, and discharge materials. Their robust design and versatility make them a popular choice for industries ranging from building materials to food processing and chemicals.

What is the function of belt bucket elevator?

High Efficiency:

Capable of moving large volumes of material vertically with minimal energy consumption.

Gentle Handling:

The continuous belt and bucket design ensures smooth material transfer—ideal for fragile or friable materials.

Low Maintenance:

With fewer moving parts compared to chain systems, belt bucket elevators typically require less maintenance.

Compact Footprint:

Their vertical design minimizes floor space usage, making them suitable for facilities with limited space.

Customization Options:

Configurable bucket sizes, belt materials, and drive arrangements allow tailored solutions for various applications.

How does the Belt bucket elevator work?

Loading:

Material is fed into the buckets at the lower "boot" section—often assisted by vibratory feeders or hoppers.

Lifting:

The continuous belt, driven by a motor and controlled by a tensioning system, moves the buckets upward.

Discharge:

As the buckets pass over the head pulley at the top, they tip or invert, discharging the material into a designated outlet or storage bin.

Return Cycle:

Empty buckets return to the boot section to begin the cycle anew.

Belt bucket elevator Parameters

Model	TD160				TD250				TD315				TD400
Hopper type	Q	h	zD	Sd	Q	h	zD	Sd	Q	h	zD	Sd	Q	h	zD	Sd
Conveying volume (m3/h)	5.4	9.6	9.6	16	12	22	23	35	17	30	25	40	24	46	41	66
Bucket width (mm)	160				250				315				400
Dou Rong (L)	0.5	0.9	4.2	1.9	1.3	2.2	3.0	4.6	2	3.6	3.8	5.8	3.1	5.6	5.9	9.4
Bucket distance (mm)	280		350		360		450		400		500		480		560
Bandwidth (mm)	200				300				400				500
Bucket speed (m/s)	1.4				1.6				1.6				1.8
Material quantity (mm)	25				35				45				55
Model	TD500				TD630			TD160		TD250		TD350		TD450
Hopper form	Q	h	zD	Sd	h	zD	Sd	Q	S	Q	S	Q	S	Q		S
Conveying capacity (m3/h)	38	70	58	92	85	89	142	4.7	8	18	22	25	42	50		72
Bucket width (mm)	500				630			160		250		350		450
Dou Rong (L)	4.8	9	9.3	15	14	14.6	23.5	0.65	1.1	2.6	3.2	7	7.8	14.5		15
Bucket distance (mm)	500		625		710			300		400		500		640
Bandwidth (mm)	600				700			200		300		400		500
Bucket speed (m/s)	1.8				2			1		1.25		1.25		1.25
Material quantity (mm)	60				70			25		35		45		55

Belt bucket elevator Structure & Components

Buckets:

Made of materials like reinforced plastic, stainless steel, or mild steel, chosen based on material abrasiveness and chemical properties.

Belt:

A rubber or composite belt that attaches to the buckets and transfers them around the pulleys.

Pulleys & Drive Unit:

The head (drive) and boot (return) pulleys guide the belt; the head pulley is driven by an electric motor (often via a gear reducer).

Casing:

Enclosures protect the moving parts, reduce dust emission, and provide safety access panels.

Tensioning System:

Maintains proper tension belt and alignment to prevent slippage and excessive wear.

Support Structure:

Robust frames and supports designed to handle vertical loads and vibrations during operation.

This modular design allows for easy maintenance and customization to suit specific applications.

Belt bucket elevator application

Belt bucket elevators are widely used in various industries due to their versatility:

Building Materials:

Conveying sand, cement, and aggregates for mixing and construction.

Food Processing & Agriculture:

Transporting grains, animal feeds, and delicate food products with minimal damage.

Chemical & Pharmaceutical:

Moving bulk chemicals and powders under controlled, hygienic conditions.

Mining & Minerals:

Lifting ores and other mineral materials from processing plants or storage silos.

Energy & Power Plants:

Conveying coal, fly ash, or other combustion materials in a clean and efficient manner.

Their ability to handle a wide range of materials—from free-flowing to moderately abrasive—makes them an ideal choice across these sectors.

Belt bucket elevator customer case

Case 1: Cement Plant Material Handling

A major cement manufacturer upgraded its bulk material handling system with a belt bucket elevator. The new system efficiently lifted limestone and clay from the quarry to the processing plant at a capacity of over 50 t/h. The continuous belt design ensured minimal material degradation and lower maintenance, resulting in significant operational cost savings.

Case 2: Food Processing Facility

In a large grain processing plant, a belt bucket elevator was deployed to transport wheat and corn from storage silos to the milling section. The gentle handling mechanism preserved the quality of the grains, and the compact vertical design allowed the facility to optimize floor space while maintaining high throughput.

Case 3: Chemical Production Unit

A chemical manufacturer installed a custom belt bucket elevator to move powdered raw materials from a lower storage area to a high-level mixing chamber. The elevator’s corrosion-resistant construction and sealed casing minimized dust emissions and product contamination, ensuring compliance with strict environmental standards.

Each of these cases highlights how tailored designs and proper selection can optimize performance and safety in different industrial environments.

How to select a belt bucket elevator?

When choosing a belt bucket elevator, consider the following factors:

Material Properties:

Evaluate the abrasiveness, moisture content, and chemical reactivity of the material. Select bucket and belt materials that resist wear and corrosion.

Capacity Requirements:

Determine the required throughput (t/h or m³/h) and choose bucket sizes, spacing, and belt speeds accordingly.

Lifting Height & Distance:

Ensure the design supports the vertical and horizontal distances involved without compromising efficiency.

Space Constraints:

For limited floor space, the compact vertical design of belt bucket elevators is advantageous.

Environmental Considerations:

Look for options with dust sealing, explosion-proof components, or special cleaning features if operating in sensitive or harsh environments.

Maintenance & Reliability:

Opt for designs with accessible inspection doors, easy-to-adjust tension systems, and proven track records in similar applications.