Bucket Conveyors

Also known as bucket elevators and grain legs, these conveyors lift products vertically that are separated into troughs before being discharged.

Category Explained

Bucket Conveyors, also known as bucket elevators or grain legs, are vertical conveying systems that use a series of buckets attached to a continuous belt or chain to lift bulk materials or packaged products between different elevations. These systems are ideal for operations where floor space is limited or when there's a need to transfer product from one level to another with precision and care. Buckets scoop up materials at the bottom of the conveyor, transport them vertically with minimal agitation, and discharge them at the top using centrifugal or gravity-based tipping mechanisms.

Well-suited for gentle handling, bucket conveyors are commonly used for fragile or flowable products where maintaining product integrity is critical. Typical features include:

  • Enclosed or open-frame configurations to match sanitary or industrial applications
  • Custom bucket sizes and spacing to accommodate specific throughput needs
  • Gentle product movement to reduce breakage or degradation
  • Dust-tight designs for handling powders or fine materials
  • Multiple discharge points for flexible line integration

Typical products and applications include:

  • Snack foods (e.g., chips, popcorn): Gently elevated to multi-head weighers or packaging machines
  • Breakfast cereals and granola: Transported without crushing or flaking before bagging
  • Frozen vegetables or fruits: Moved between freezing and packaging while preserving shape
  • Confectionery items (e.g., gummies, chocolates): Carefully lifted to avoid sticking or deformation
  • Pharmaceutical granules or powders: Transported in hygienic, enclosed systems for contamination control

Bucket conveyors are valued across food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors for their ability to lift delicate products efficiently while minimizing spillage, making them a dependable choice for vertical transport in production environments.