taper-bush
Application Engineering
Conveyor drives expose bushings to a combination of steady torque, repeated starts, contamination and maintenance access constraints. The same conveyor line may use small bushings on roller drives and very large bushings on a head pulley. Selection has to follow the actual drive point rather than the conveyor name alone.
For an existing conveyor, begin with the pulley or sprocket hub and identify its bushing family. For a new drive, define shaft diameter, transmitted torque, start/stop duty, keyway and available installation space before choosing an EP series.
Conveyor drive points that use taper bushings
| Drive point | Bushing role | Selection emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Belt conveyor head or tail pulley | Mounts pulley hub or sheave to the shaft. | Torque, shaft size, hub geometry and alignment. |
| Screw conveyor drive | Connects pulley, sprocket or coupling hub. | Service access, contamination and replacement frequency. |
| Bucket elevator head shaft | Mounts sprocket or belt-drive component. | Load reversals, dust and critical spare planning. |
| Roller conveyor | Mounts small sprockets or pulleys. | Compact size, repeatable assembly and bore consistency. |
Duty and environment change the decision
A continuous conveyor is not automatically easier than an intermittent one. Frequent starts can increase cyclic loading; reversing drives can hammer a loose key; abrasive dust can hide fretting; washdown can introduce corrosion. Use the drive torque at the bushing shaft, then review contamination protection and inspection access.
Series starting points by physical scale
Compact EP-1008 through EP-1615 families are common starting references for smaller shafts; EP-2012 through EP-3535 cover larger connections; EP-4040 and above enter heavier pulley and hub sizes. These ranges are not horsepower ratings. Confirm the actual torque capacity and mating hub for the specific conveyor.
Installation notes for conveyor service
Set pulley and sprocket alignment before the taper is fully seated. After maintenance, check guards and belt/chain tracking before loading the conveyor. If the line has a history of repeated bushing movement, inspect the shaft and hub instead of simply increasing tightening force.
What to include in a conveyor RFQ
Send the shaft diameter, bushing model if known, pulley/sprocket or hub reference, keyway, drive power and speed at the relevant shaft, start/stop or reversing duty, environment and quantity. A photo of the complete drive helps confirm service access and the correct family.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a conveyor bushing from motor horsepower alone?
No. Use torque at the actual bushing shaft and confirm the hub, shaft size, duty and service factor.
Should mining conveyors use the largest bushing available?
No. Size the connection to the actual shaft/hub geometry and duty; larger outside diameter by itself is not a selection method.
Related products and resources
Need help with a real application?
Send the model, shaft diameter, keyway or drawing so the enquiry can be checked against the correct bushing family.