How to choose and install elevator belt splices and bucket bolts: splice types, tightening, washers, inspection intervals and common failures.
When a bucket elevator stops unexpectedly, the cause is often small: a failed belt splice, buckets torn from the belt, or loose bolts that let buckets work free. These parts cost little compared with the downtime they cause. Good selection and a disciplined maintenance routine prevent most of these failures.
A splice joins the two ends of the elevator belt. Mechanical splices are standard in elevators because they can be fitted inside the casing without vulcanising equipment. The main types are:
Elevator bolts attach the buckets to the belt. They have a large, flat head that sits flush with the belt face so it runs smoothly over the pulleys. Common types include:
Use the right washers — such as large oval washers for plastic buckets — to spread the load and avoid cracking the bucket back.
| Interval | Check |
|---|---|
| Daily (walk-by) | Unusual noise, belt tracking, hazard monitor alarms |
| Weekly | Visual check of buckets and splice through inspection doors |
| Monthly | Bolt tightness on a sample of buckets, splice bolt torque, belt edge wear |
| Annually or at shutdown | Full belt and bucket inspection, replace worn bolts, check pulley lagging |
We recommend keeping a spare splice, a box of bolts and washers, and a few buckets for every critical elevator. Browse our belt fasteners, elevator bolts and buckets (4B products), or request a spares quotation for your elevator list.
Re-check splice bolt torque after the first hours of operation and then at regular intervals, typically monthly, as well as at every planned shutdown.
Cracks usually come from washers that are too small or from over-tightening. Large oval washers spread the load across the bucket back.
A fang bolt has prongs under its head that bite into the belt, stopping the bolt from turning while the nut is tightened from inside the bucket.
Belt FastenersThe Supergrip heavy duty belt fastener secures belting on bucket elevators. The two ends of the belt are gripped between extruded steel plates, clamped together by zinc plated high tensile bolts and…
Belt FastenersThe Gripwell light duty aluminum fastener secures belting on bucket elevators. The two ends of the belt are gripped between extruded serrated plates, clamped together by zinc plated high tensile bolts, safely…
Belt FastenersThe Braime Clamp (BC) series of heavy duty belt splices securely fastens belting on larger bucket elevators. Designed from three pieces of extruded aluminium including a centre wedge section to minimize belt…
Elevator BoltsEURO bolts have a concave head and two lugs on the underside to help prevent rotation when tightening. The Euro elevator bolts are intended for the attachment of pressed steel elevator buckets…
Elevator BoltsThe fanged elevator bolt is characterized by two sharp teeth that are intended to penetrate the carcass of the elevator belt. Once the teeth penetrate the belt, they help keep the bolt…
Elevator Bolts4B Easifit elevator bolts are unique in that they employ a hexagon tip. Special installation tools lock onto the tip, keeping the bolt from spinning as the lock nut is tightened. Fanged…
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