Whether purchasing a new bucket elevator or re-configuring an existing one, proper elevator bucket style selection is a key aspect of achieving an effective and efficient handling system.
With a range of elevator bucket styles available, selecting the most appropriate fit can seem daunting, but by focusing on elevator configuration, as well as a few other considerations, the process becomes much more manageable.
Bucket Elevator Configuration: Centrifugal
The centrifugal bucket elevator is designed to move large amounts of material quickly. Buckets for this configuration are required to dig the material from the boot section of the elevator and throw it out at the discharge end. Due to this, the buckets in this category have been dubbed “digger buckets” and are designed to be robust and resistant to wear. The design also allows for side-by-side or staggered alignment options to increase handling capacities.
The elevator bucket styles that FEECO offers for Centrifugal style elevators are: Style AA and Style AC. Both styles have a reinforced lip around the leading edge that prevents distortion when digging or scooping abrasive or heavily packed material. Style AC has a little different geometry than Style AA, including a higher front to handle larger capacities, and an angled back, which allows the buckets to be spaced closer together while still running at high speeds.
Both Style AA and Style AC can be mounted on either a chain, or belt system and work well for tough materials such as sand, gravel, cement, and many others. FEECO’s engineers can assist in custom options for both style types, such as vent holes, which are vital in handling fine, powdery materials. Our material experience also allows us to determine which construction material(s) will work the best for a given bulk material handling system.
Centrifugal Elevator Bucket Style AA
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Style AA comes in a wide variety of materials, including: ductile iron, fabricated carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, as well as several different plastics. FEECO’s engineers will assist in custom applications such as hard coatings. |
Centrifugal Elevator Bucket Style AC
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Style AC comes in a wide variety of materials, including: ductile iron, fabricated carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and nylon. The angled back design is to allow close stack-up of buckets on the belt or chain. |
Bucket Elevator Configuration: Continuous
The continuous bucket elevator operates at slower speeds than the centrifugal elevator. The purpose of this style elevator is to decrease damage or degradation to the material being handled. The discharge system is softer, smoother, and continuous, with the underside of the previous bucket acting as a part of the discharge chute. This style does not rely on the bucket to dig the material from a pile, but rather, allows the material to flow into the bucket.
The buckets in the continuous category can be employed for almost any material, but they are especially successful at handling a lighter or more fragile agglomerated material. The bucket styles that FEECO offers for continuous style elevators are: Medium-Front, High-Front, and Super-Capacity.
Similar to the centrifugal buckets, all of FEECO’s continuous style buckets can be mounted on either chain or belt elevator systems, as well as offer the option for vent/drain holes. Our in-house engineering and design department can assist in selecting the proper bucket style and construction materials to meet specific application requirements.
Continuous Elevator Bucket Style: Medium-Front
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Medium-Front Continuous comes in a wide variety of materials, including: fabricated carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, as well as a limited variety of plastics. The angled bottom design doubles as part of the discharge chute. The high front is for higher capacity requirements. |
Continuous Elevator Bucket Style: High-Front
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High-Front Continuous comes in a wide variety of materials, including: fabricated carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.The angled bottom design doubles as part of the discharge chute. The high front is for higher capacity requirements. |
Continuous Elevator Bucket Style: Super-Capacity
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Super-Capacity Continuous comes in a wide variety of materials, including: fabricated carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. This bucket style is designed to handle larger capacities. |
Some materials require a unique or custom designed bucket style that does not fall into the above mentioned categories. When this occurs, FEECO is highly experienced in providing custom, heavy-duty bucket elevators and can assist in making the most appropriate selection.
Conclusion
While a diverse range of elevator bucket styles are available, the selection is simplified by focusing on the elevator style and requirements of the material being handled.
FEECO’s custom bucket elevators have developed a well-earned reputation for efficiency and reliability. Our experienced engineers can assist you in overall bucket elevator design, as well as bucket selection. Our highly experienced Customer Service Team can also help to keep your bucket elevator running smoothly. For more information and technical specifications on buckets or bucket elevators, contact us today!