Why ‘traditional’ material handling equipment remains vital to automation
Food and beverage companies that have implemented automation achieve a 20 per cent higher growth rate than their manually operated...
Read MoreBucket elevators: transferring product simply and reliably
Gough’s elevator systems use a continuous line of swinging pendulum buckets to transfer large volumes of product.
You can arrange the systems in many different layouts to deliver product where you need it — delivering free flowing material from one location to another, at high quality and high speeds.
The Gough Swinglink® Bucket Elevators use a patented design to move products in open buckets from one point to another.
Product is static in the bottom of the bucket throughout the process, which removes the possibility of damage during travel. A line of buckets moves past a spot where workers add product, and the workers fill each bucket partially. Two chains move the buckets through the bucket circuit.
Bucket Model | Maximum Throughput Capacity (cubic metres per hour) | Individual Bucket Volume (litres) |
9M | 10.6 | 3.7 |
18M | 14.5 | 7.8 |
24M | 22.3 | 10.6 |
36M | 30.1 | 15.7 |
The Gough Swinglink® Bucket Elevator (GBE) is a reliable and easy-to-maintain solution for conveying different materials. Gough Engineering first designed and patented it back in the 1970s.
Gough’s design team creates unique elevator specifications with advantages over other systems on the market.
These benefits include conveying bulk, dry, free flowing granular product and powders in a continuous and contained manner.
Gough can design the elevator system in many configurations:
If you need an elevator with mobile capabilities this can also be supplied.
You can create any setup to move things. It can move things not only from one place to another, but also around other objects or production systems. You can also develop these configurations for multiple inlet and discharge positions and even a travel/ adjustable discharge position.
J, Z, and C shaped bucket elevator layouts examples
Bucket elevators provide a flexible solution to the problem of transferring product from one production process to another. The modular design of the Swinglink® bucket elevator allows infinite layout possibilities. Variable length sections allow any distance of vertical or horizontal movement. We can manufacture specially designed corner sections to allow inclined conveying at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees.
One system can incorporate multiple inlet and multiple discharge points, joining or splitting product streams as needed.
Gough’s bucket elevator systems are available in a range of material specifications and finishes.
Standard elevator construction uses folded side panels, joined by cross pieces to form an external chassis. Adding removable covers encloses the system where needed.
The external chassis is available manufactured from:
You can supply the system with removable covers, including:
We have developed special open structures, using hollow square sections or tubes, to meet specific project requirements. You can then fit removable covers to all sides.
Gough Swinglink® bucket elevators use pendulum buckets that swing freely during travel.
The product rests safely in the bottom of the buckets, ideal for handling friable products gently.
You can easily remove and replace buckets by hand without tools, for fast cleaning during change over operations. You can replace 100 buckets in less than 20 minutes.
Buckets are available in:
A shaft mounted motor gearbox with a torque arm drives Gough Swinglink® bucket elevators.
The application requirements determine the motor power.
The control panel mounted inverter supplies motors with variable speed and variable torque safety control.
The supplier pre-programs the inverter with the torque setting suitable for normal operations. Should an overload condition arise, the excess torque requirement will stop the motor, protecting personnel, and minimising system damage.
We can supply ATEX rated drive systems.
The chains are a patented design fitted with roller arms to carry the elevator buckets.
Shafts and sprockets link the chains, coordinating the movement of the chain and keeping the buckets in line and parallel.
Chain material options include:
Carbon Steel
Zinc Plated Carbon Steel
Grade 304L Stainless Steel
Glass filled Nylon (for abrasive applications)
Acetal Plastic (FDA Approved)
Heavy duty chain, suitable for conveying high-density products, and extra high (up to 70 metre) elevations.
Gough Engineering supplies material handling and process equipment solutions to many companies and industries around the world.
C-shaped Swinglink bucket elevator loop system used to join up a product sizing process.
Bucket elevators work by carrying product from an inlet point to a discharge point in an open bucket. Product is static in the bottom of the bucket throughout the process, removing the possibility of damage during travel.
A line of buckets moves past a spot where workers add product, and the workers fill each bucket partially. Two chains move the buckets through the bucket circuit. The buckets swing freely between the chains, remaining upright through the circuit until tipped, apart from stabilizing at the inlet.
The buckets have a cam fitted to activate the tip and empty the product at the discharge. The buckets tip as the cam rides up a tipping ramp, which has the effect of inverting the bucket. Pneumatic rams raise and lower the ramps, enabling selective tipping and allowing product to discharge at multiple positions.
The system provides advantages against other conveying application methods including:
Read our case studies to find out how our Bucket Elevators are put to use.
Learn More
Food and beverage companies that have implemented automation achieve a 20 per cent higher growth rate than their manually operated...
Read MoreThe Task A chemicals company in Cheshire required a conveyor to move bentonite from a ground floor production area to the second floor.
Read Case StudyCall our team of highly skilled engineers to discuss your requirements on 01782 567770 or fill out our online enquiry form.