Bucket conveyors and elevators are an essential tool for construction and building work. Their efficient movement of bulk materials at a quick pace becomes very handy in reducing risky manual labor, and also moving at a speed that is beneficial to a successful outcome.

It is important to first understand what they can be used for. Not all materials are transportable by bucket mechanisms. Using them for substances that are very heavy, fluid, or sticky can be a counterproductive process.

The ability of a material to flow freely is crucial for the elevators and conveyors to work correctly. The exact type of machinery you use is determined by the finer properties of the material being transported (such as density, moisture, and size). However, as a general rule, the transport of dry and dusty materials is where bucket conveyors and elevators work best.

So how exactly do they work? Bucket conveyors and elevators utilize the mechanics of centrifugal force. Centrifugal force is a force that is produced when an object is rotated at a high speed. The force acts in the opposite direction of the rotation, and parallel to the axis on which the object is being rotated.

In bucket elevators, large buckets are attached to a conveyor belt that rotates. The mechanism of deposit and prevention of spillage depends on the type of elevator being used.

In the case of centrifugal elevators, the speed of the rotation not only helps to deposit the material at the correct point, but also prevents spillage of material due to centrifugal forces acting on them. But some bucket elevators and conveyors move slower than the requirement for centrifugal force.

Some materials can be damaged by rapid rotation and excess exposure to air. In those cases, a continuous bucket elevator is more helpful. These move at a gentle pace in comparison to centrifugal ones, and the placement of the buckets helps with preventing wastage.

Bucket conveyors are slightly more versatile, since they work in a purely vertical and horizontal manner – and can, therefore, transport a larger variety of materials. They’re used in industries outside of construction as well, such as assembly lines and goods production factories. The buckets are arranged depending on the need, and then tipped at a designated time for the transfer.

If you’re looking for a high quality bucket conveyor or elevator, MDC happens to host a variety for you to look at!