Articles: Choosing the Best Bucket Elevator: Continuous or Pendulum?

Continuous vs. Pendulum Bucket Elevators: Key Differences and Advantages

When it comes to vertical material handling, bucket elevators are among the most efficient and versatile solutions available. Two popular types—continuous and pendulum

bucket elevators—serve different applications depending on material characteristics, required throughput, and space constraints.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between these two elevator types and explore the advantages of each to help you determine which is best suited for your needs.

What Is a Continuous Bucket Elevator?

A continuous bucket elevator is designed for smooth and consistent material flow. Buckets are mounted closely on a rubber chain in a continuous line, allowing materials to be gently scooped up via a controlled infeed chute or conveyor at the bottom and gradually discharged at the top by centrifugal or gravity methods.

Key Characteristics:

• Constant material flow
• Gentle handling (especially gravity discharge types)
• Ideal for fine or fragile materials
• Often used in food, chemical, and powder industries

What Is a Pendulum Bucket Elevator?

A pendulum bucket elevator, also known as a swing bucket elevator, consists of individual buckets suspended between two parallel rubber chains. Each bucket swings or pivots like a pendulum, allowing multiple discharge points and extremely gentle handling of the product.

Key Characteristics:

• Buckets swing to remain upright
• Allows multiple discharge points
• Ideal for delicate or coated products
• Frequently used in confectionery, packaging, and frozen food industries

Key Differences

Advantages of Continuous Bucket Elevators

1. Consistent Throughput
   Ideal for high-capacity applications requiring uninterrupted material flow.
2. Space-Efficient Vertical Transport
   Takes up less floor space for high lift heights.
3. Lower Initial Cost
   Generally simpler in design, resulting in lower upfront investment.
4. Durability
   Fewer moving parts mean reduced wear and less frequent maintenance.

Advantages of Pendulum Bucket Elevators

1. 1. Multiple Discharge Points
      A single elevator can serve several destinations, increasing process flexibility.
   2. Gentle Product Handling
      Buckets remain upright, making them ideal for fragile, sticky, or coated products.
   3. Customizable Layouts
      Can include both horizontal and vertical sections, optimizing floor space.
   4. Reduced Product Loss
      Minimizes breakage, dust, and spillage—especially important in food-grade or high-value material handling.
   5. Easy cleaning

   The buckets can be easily removed and cleaned outside of the elevator to eliminate any product cross contamination issues.

Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose a continuous bucket elevator if:
  • You need simple, high-throughput vertical transport.
  • Your product is free-flowing, non-fragile, and consistent.
  • Cost efficiency and minimal floor space are priorities.
• Choose a pendulum bucket elevator if:
  • You handle delicate, sticky, or irregularly shaped materials.
  • You require multiple discharge points or a customized layout.
  • Product integrity and gentle handling are critical.

Final Thoughts

Both elevator types have their place in modern material handling systems. Understanding their differences ensures you choose the right one for your process, boosting efficiency, minimizing waste, and protecting your product quality.

If you’re unsure which type suits your operation, please get in contact and we would be happy to assist you with any enquiries you may have.