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Bucket Elevators Engineered Equipment - KWS

Bucket Elevators

One of the most efficient ways to elevate bulk materials vertically is with a bucket elevator. A Bucket Elevator consists of a series of buckets attached to a belt or chain with pulleys or sprockets located at the top and bottom of the unit. The buckets are located in a casing or housing to contain the material. Bulk materials are loaded into each bucket as the bucket moves past an inlet point. KWS designs and manufactures a wide variety of bucket elevators based on the characteristics of the bulk material and the process requirements.

Engineering Guide Industry Solutions

Head Section of Centrifugal Bucket Elevator

Bucket Elevators - KWS Manufacturing

Advantages of Using Bucket Elevators

  • Designed to handle a wide variety of bulk materials – from average to very free-flowing
  • Many different bucket and casing sizes available for capacities up to 15,000 cubic feet per hour
  • Completely enclosed for dust and weather-tight operation
  • Inlet section can be control fed or flood loaded with bulk materials
Bucket Elevator Conveyor Benefits

KWS designs and manufactures Bucket Elevators to meet the needs of many industries, such as Chemical, Minerals Processing, Food, Wood Products and Wastewater Treatment.

KWS Bucket Elevators are custom designed for your application. Bulk material characteristics, capacity and overall height are considered when designing Bucket Elevators. KWS is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer. Every component and assembly is manufactured in the USA by highly skilled craftsmen. All KWS welders are certified in accordance with American Welding Society (AWS) Codes. KWS Bucket Elevators are manufactured to rigid quality standards.

Boot Section of Continuous Bucket Elevator

Shaftless Screw Conveyor - KWS Manufacturing

Available Features / Options

  • Custom Engineered For Your Specific Application
  • Wide Range Of Construction Materials – Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Alloys
  • Belt and Chain Type Elevators Available To Meet Your Specific Requirements
  • Screw-Type Or Internal Gravity Take-Ups Available
Design Worksheet

Bucket Elevator Design Worksheets

Resources for Bucket Elevators

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Mass Flow Screw Feeders and Bucket Elevator for Fertilizer Manufacturer

Problem Solvers

Mass Flow Screw Feeders and Bucket Elevator for Fertilizer Manufacturer

Both mass flow screw feeders were designed with a large rectangular inlet and cone screw to allow for even draw of urea from the storage silos.

KWS Article

Features & Benefits

KWS Bucket Elevator Take-Ups

Bucket elevators are not maintenance-free machines. Routine maintenance of the chain or belt is required to maximize elevator life.

KWS Article

Features & Benefits

Bucket Elevator Hazard Monitoring Sensors

Monitoring for potential hazards eliminates any unwanted downtime and prevents damage to other conveying and processing equipment.

KWS Exceeds Expectations for Quality and Delivery at Owens Brockway

Problem Solvers

KWS Exceeds Expectations for Quality and Delivery at Owens Brockway

The bucket elevator construction was reinforced with structure steel to increase overall life. Split gland seals keep the glass cullet contained in the elevator.

Wet Sugar Bucket Elevator for Amalgamated Sugar

Problem Solvers

Wet Sugar Bucket Elevator for Amalgamated Sugar

The new KWS bucket elevator was designed to fit the exact same footprint as the existing unit but with an increased capacity of 50-percent.

Inclined Screw Conveyor & Bucket Elevator Conveying Copper Powder

Problem Solvers

Inclined Screw Conveyor & Bucket Elevator Conveying Copper Powder

Both the inclined screw conveyor and bucket elevator were designed and manufactured to convey very dense copper powder.

Vented Buckets for Better Bulk Material Discharge

Problem Solvers

Vented Buckets for Better Bulk Material Discharge

KWS recommended the use of vented buckets to allow air to escape out of the bottom and eliminate the suction that was keeping the material in the bucket.

Continuous Bucket Elevator for Wood Fiber Recycling Plant

Problem Solvers

Continuous Bucket Elevator for Wood Fiber Recycling Plant

KWS bucket elevators provide for a superior seal, keeping material contained within the bucket elevator, preventing unnecessary material loss.

Bucket Elevator for Charcoal Briquetting Process

Problem Solvers

Bucket Elevator for Charcoal Briquetting Process

KWS provided a heavy-duty centrifugal-type bucket elevator, traditionally used in coal handling applications because of their robust low-maintenance design.

KWS Redesigns Bucket Elevator to Double Capacity at CertainTeed in Portland, OR

Problem Solvers

KWS Redesigns Bucket Elevator to Double Capacity at CertainTeed in Portland, OR

KWS designed and manufactured a unique bucket elevator to deliver twice the capacity in the same casing size as the existing elevator.

Elevating Abrasive Sand at BASF/Master Builders Solutions in Streetsboro, OH

Problem Solvers

Elevating Abrasive Sand at BASF/Master Builders Solutions in Streetsboro, OH

KWS provided heavy-duty centrifugal-type bucket elevators lined with a replaceable abrasion-resistant plate longer life.

Feeding and Elevating Glass Cullet for Owens Corning in Newark, OH

Problem Solvers

Feeding and Elevating Glass Cullet for Owens Corning in Newark, OH

Since glass cullet is very abrasive, inside areas of the bucket elevator and screw feeder were lined with chromium carbide overlay to extend its life span.

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