Bucket Elevators

Orthman Conveying Systems (OCS) started in 2003 in Lexington, NE as a bolt on company to Orthman Manufacturing Inc

Industrial Bucket Elevators for Vertical Bulk Material Handling - Orthman Conveying Systems

Orthman Conveying Systems designs and manufactures industrial bucket elevators built to move bulk solids and flowing powders vertically with the reliability, precision, and structural durability that demanding operations require. From grain handling and animal feed processing to sand, aggregate, and fine chemical applications, Orthman bucket elevator systems are engineered to perform in the real world, not just on paper.

Manufactured at our facility in Cleburne, TX, every Orthman bucket elevator is built to application-specific requirements, backed by hands-on engineering expertise, and constructed for years of low-maintenance operation.

How Orthman Bucket Elevators Work

An Orthman bucket elevator uses an endless belt or chain fitted with a series of specialized buckets. Bulk material is fed into an inlet at the base, where the buckets scoop and capture the material as the belt or chain moves upward. The loaded buckets travel vertically to the head where the belt wraps over a head sprocket or pulley and discharge the material into a dedicated discharge for transfer to the next stage of the process.

The result is a compact, high-capacity vertical conveying solution that moves material efficiently in a minimal footprint, without the space demands of inclined belt conveyors or pneumatic conveying systems.

Built for Access, Maintenance, and Long-Term Performance

Orthman bucket elevator systems are built with access and inspection doors at key points along the elevator casing. These access points allow maintenance personnel to inspect the bucket line, belt or chain condition, and internal wear without disassembling the system reducing inspection time and keeping planned maintenance windows short.

Stainless steel construction on access components resists corrosion in humid, dusty, and chemically active environments. For food-grade or sanitary applications, stainless steel contact surfaces can be specified throughout the system.

Every Orthman bucket elevator is engineered with capacity, material density, lump size, belt or chain speed, and discharge trajectory in mind so the system performs as specified from day one.

Bucket Elevator System Selection: What Drives the Decision

Selecting the correct bucket elevator system involves several application-specific variables. Orthman's engineering team evaluates each project based on:

Material characteristics bulk density, particle size, moisture content, abrasiveness, and flowability all influence bucket type, belt or chain selection, and elevator speed.

Required throughput capacity measured in bushels per hour, tons per hour, or cubic feet per minute depending on the industry, this determines bucket size, spacing, and belt or chain speed.

Elevator height the vertical lift distance influences structural design, tension requirements, and drive sizing.

Discharge requirements whether the system feeds into a bin, conveyor, or process equipment affects the discharge throat geometry and head section design.

Environment and duty cycle indoor vs. outdoor installation, dust explosion risk (ATEX/NFPA compliance), food-grade requirements, and continuous vs. intermittent operation all factor into the final specification.

Orthman's team works directly with buyers, engineers, and plant operators to develop the correct specification before manufacturing begins eliminating costly changes after fabrication.

Industries Served by Orthman Bucket Elevator Systems

Orthman bucket elevators are deployed across a broad range of industries requiring reliable vertical material elevation:

  • Grain and agriculture elevator legs for grain terminals, country elevators, and on-farm storage
  • Animal feed and pet food manufacturing gentle handling of ingredient and finished product flows
  • Food processing sanitary-grade systems for sugar, salt, flour, and processed ingredients
  • Mining and aggregate heavy-duty elevation of sand, gravel, crushed stone, and ore
  • Chemical and bulk powder processing enclosed, low-contamination handling of dry chemicals and fine powders
  • Biofuel and biomass elevation of pellets, chips, and granular feedstocks

Frequently Asked Questions: Orthman Bucket Elevators

What is a bucket elevator and how does it work?

A bucket elevator is a vertical conveying system that uses a series of buckets attached to an endless belt or chain to lift bulk materials from a lower loading point to a higher discharge point. Material is fed into the boot section, scooped into the buckets, carried vertically to the head, and discharged into an outlet chute or downstream equipment. Orthman bucket elevators are available in centrifugal and continuous discharge configurations to match different material types and handling requirements.

What is the difference between a centrifugal and continuous bucket elevator?

A centrifugal bucket elevator operates at higher speeds and uses centrifugal force to discharge material into the discharge throat as the bucket rounds the head pulley. It is best suited for free-flowing, non-fragile materials like grain, sand, and granular chemicals. A continuous bucket elevator operates at lower speeds with closely spaced buckets, using gravity for discharge. It is preferred for fragile, aerated, or fine powdered materials where degradation and product loss must be minimized.

What materials can Orthman bucket elevators handle?

Orthman bucket elevators are designed to handle a wide range of bulk solids and flowing powders, including grain, corn, soybeans, animal feed, sand, aggregate, sugar, salt, flour, dry chemicals, biomass pellets, crushed ore, and more. Material characteristics including bulk density, particle size, and flowability determine which elevator configuration and bucket type is appropriate.

Are Orthman bucket elevators available in stainless steel?

Yes. Orthman bucket elevators are built with stainless steel access and inspection doors as standard. For sanitary, or corrosive-environment applications, stainless steel construction can be specified for additional components throughout the system. Contact Orthman to discuss material specification requirements for your application.

How is bucket elevator capacity determined?

Bucket elevator throughput capacity is determined by bucket volume, bucket spacing, and belt or chain speed. Material bulk density and required tons-per-hour or bushels-per-hour throughput targets drive the selection of these parameters. Orthman’s engineering team sizes each system to the specific capacity and material requirements of the application.

Can Orthman design a bucket elevator for an existing facility with space constraints?

Yes. Orthman offers a range of bucket and casing sizes to fit installations with limited floor space or structural clearance. Elevator height, boot section dimensions, and head section geometry can all be configured to suit existing building layouts. Custom fabrication is available when standard configurations don’t fit the installation envelope.

What maintenance is required for an Orthman bucket elevator?

Routine maintenance for Orthman bucket elevators includes periodic inspection of the belt or chain tension, bucket attachment integrity, boot section for material buildup, and bearing condition. Stainless steel access and inspection doors are built into the casing to allow visual inspection and minor servicing without full disassembly. Orthman’s engineering team can advise on maintenance intervals based on the specific material and duty cycle.

What industries use Orthman bucket elevators?

Orthman bucket elevator systems are used in grain handling and storage, animal feed manufacturing, food processing, mining and aggregate, bulk chemical processing, biomass and biofuel, and other industries requiring reliable vertical elevation of dry bulk materials.

How do I specify the right bucket elevator for my application?

Providing the following information allows Orthman’s engineers to develop an accurate specification: material name and characteristics (bulk density, particle size, moisture content, abrasiveness), required throughput capacity, required lift height, inlet and discharge conditions, environmental factors (indoor/outdoor, temperature, dust explosion classification), and any sanitary or material compatibility requirements. Contact Orthman directly to begin the specification process.

Where are Orthman bucket elevators manufactured?

Orthman bucket elevators are manufactured at our facility at 650 W. Industrial Blvd., Cleburne, TX 76033. Orthman supports customers nationwide through an extensive network of industrial and distributor representatives.

Talk to an Orthman Bucket Elevator Specialist

Whether you’re specifying a new bucket elevator system, replacing aging equipment, or evaluating options for a capacity expansion, Orthman’s application engineers are ready to help you get to the right solution faster and with fewer surprises.

Location pin icon for Orthman Conveying Systems

FIND AN ORTHMAN REPRESENTATIVE

With our extensive rep network across the country we are able to supply customer service that is second to none

Industrial Representative Distributor Representative