Anybody who owns a mine or manufacturing facility knows it’s impossible to get things done without the right equipment. As obvious as that is, finding the right equipment for your needs can be relatively difficult. Depending on your industry, a bucket elevator could be one of the more notable machines you’ll need to get.
If you’re a relatively new entrepreneur, you could have quite a few questions about this. What is a bucket elevator, are there different types, and how do you choose the right one for you? Thankfully, none of this needs to be as confusing as you could think. Instead, it’s relatively straightforward, and you shouldn’t need to spend much time on it.
It’s worth diving deep into this so you can improve your business.
What Is A Bucket Elevator?
First things first: what is a bucket elevator? Also called bucket conveyors, they’re designed to move products via a series of reciprocating buckets. These move the product either vertically or horizontally while keeping the products or materials themselves perfectly level, letting you take them out or put them in with ease.
The elevator is loaded with material at the front end, with the buckets usually discharging the material at the end. While the material usually isn’t removed during this period, it’s possible for you to do so when needed. The process of moving the materials is automatic and relatively fast, saving you labour hours and time.
These are used in multiple industries, including:
Power generation
Mining
Manufacturing
Biomass
Cement
That being said, not all bucket elevators are made the same. In contrast, there are three main types of bucket elevator. If you need to get one, it’s worth being as informed about them as possible so you can make the best decision for your business.
Types Of Bucket Elevators
Regular
The regular bucket elevator is the most common type of bucket elevator. It consists of a series of buckets attached to a chain or belt that moves up and down between two pulleys. The buckets are loaded with materials at the bottom and are discharged at the top. Regular bucket elevators are used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, mining, and construction. They are ideal for moving heavy, abrasive, or sticky materials such as coal, gravel, sand, and cement.
Easy Dump
The easy dump bucket elevator is designed for materials that tend to stick to the sides of the buckets, making them difficult to unload. It features a discharge gate that opens automatically when the bucket reaches the top of the elevator, allowing the materials to be easily unloaded. Easy dump bucket elevators are commonly used in the food processing industry for materials like sugar, flour, and spices. They are also used in the chemical industry for moving fertilizers, and in the construction industry for moving cement.
Low-Speed
Low-speed bucket elevators are used for delicate materials that require gentle handling. They are typically used in food processing and pharmaceutical industries. They move materials at a slower speed, reducing the impact and minimizing the risk of damage to the materials. Low-speed bucket elevators are commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries for moving delicate materials like grains, seeds, and pharmaceutical powders.
Z-Type
Z-type bucket elevators are designed to handle materials that require a vertical lift but also need to change direction horizontally. They feature two parallel chains with buckets attached to them that move in a Z-shaped path. This type of bucket elevators are ideal for the packaging industry for moving snacks, pet food, and other small products. They are also used in the pharmaceutical industry for moving pills and capsules.
C-Type
C-type bucket elevators are similar to the Z-type bucket elevators, but they move materials in a horizontal direction before moving vertically. They are commonly used in the agriculture industry for handling grains and seeds. They are also used in the food industry for moving beans, nuts, and other dry goods.
How To Choose A Bucket Elevator
Since there are three types of bucket elevator, you might be confused about which one you should choose. How do you even make your decision? As complicated as this seems, it doesn’t have to be a difficult choice. You can narrow things down in various ways, with multiple factors coming into play. These include:
Output, Design, and Distance – The amount of material you’ll need to go through during an average day makes a significant impact on the decision. Different options allow for different outputs, with even the bucket design playing an essential role in this. The overall distance the material needs to travel is also a major factor in this.
Material Needs and Protection – The materials you need moved will be one of the more important factors in your choice of bucket elevator. Some materials and products have different needs than others, even when they’re being moved. Protection from aeration and similar factors could be paramount for this, helping you narrow down your options significantly.
Special Considerations and Control – Sometimes, you’ll want to change speeds and other factors when you’re using your bucket elevator. Some options provide much more of this than others, letting you narrow down your choices based on exactly what you need to do with it.
You should also speak to your supplier about your specifications. Armed with this, they can help you make the best possible decision for you. In many cases, they’ll have much more expertise with bucket elevators than you will, so it’s always worth leaning on this experience.
Wrapping Up
A bucket elevator can have a significant impact on your business, letting you get through more materials – such as ore – than you otherwise would have. It can be an essential component for your company to have so it can operate effectively.
With the various types to choose from, picking the right one for your business seems complicated. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be. Once you know what your needs are and what the different types of bucket elevator are, you’ll be in a great position to buy one.
When you’re looking to get one, you’ll want to make sure it’s the best you can afford. With Prime MFG, you can rest assured that’s the case. Our bucket elevators are designed to be as efficient, easy-to-use, and hassle-free as possible. Call us on 1300 332 242 or email us on admin@prime-mfg.com.au to see how we can help you.
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