Which Elevator Bucket Material Do I Need?
Answer two questions, what you are elevating and how hot it gets, and we will point you to the right bucket: polyethylene, urethane, nylon, or steel and ductile iron.
Two questions
Material and temperature decide most choices.
Four materials
Polyethylene, urethane, nylon, steel and ductile iron.
Tapco ratings
Temperature limits from Tapco's published data.
Then size it
Pick the style and size on our sizing guide.
Answer two questions
Pick the closest match for each. Your recommendation appears below.
Choose an answer to both questions to see the recommended bucket.
Temperature ratings are Tapco's. Borderline or unusual material? Ask us and we will confirm the right bucket.
The full chart
Every answer the selector gives, in one table. Rows are the material; columns are the temperature at the bucket.
| Material | Up to 200 °F | 201–212 °F | 213–275 °F | Over 275 °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free-flowing (grain, feed, seed, fertilizer, salt, food) | Polyethylene | Urethane | Nylon | Steel / ductile iron |
| Abrasive or sluggish (sand, severe soybean/rice/barley, pellets) | Urethane | Urethane | Nylon | Steel / ductile iron |
| Sharp (crushed glass, oyster shell, cullet) | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron |
| Large and dense (stone, gravel, ores, over 3/8") | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron | Steel / ductile iron |
| Fragile, fluffy or friable | Continuous discharge | Continuous discharge | Continuous discharge | Continuous discharge |
Temperature limits by material
| Material | Temperature range | Avoid for |
|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene | -60 °F to 200 °F | Material over 200 °F; sharp material; large dense material over 3/8"; severe soybean and rice |
| Urethane | -60 °F to 212 °F | Material over 212 °F; large dense material over 3/8"; sharp sluggish material such as large glass cullet |
| Nylon | -40 °F to 275 °F | Material over 275 °F; large dense material over 3/8"; glass cullet, oyster shell |
| Steel / ductile iron | Ductile iron AA to 800 °F | The heaviest-duty option, with few material limits |
Ratings per Tapco. See elevator buckets for styles, sizes, spacing and fasteners, and the CC-HD, CC-HD 8" projection and CC-LP HD dimension charts.
Elevator bucket selection FAQ
Which elevator bucket material do I need?
It depends on the material and its temperature. Polyethylene suits free-flowing grain, feed, seed, fertilizer, salt and food products up to 200 °F. Urethane suits abrasive or sluggish material up to 212 °F. Nylon suits hotter material and severe service up to 275 °F. Steel or ductile iron suits material that is hotter than that, sharp, or large and dense.
Can I use polyethylene buckets for sand?
Sand is abrasive, so urethane is usually the better plastic choice, and heavy industrial sand legs often run steel. Polyethylene is best for free-flowing grain, feed, seed, fertilizer and salt.
What is the maximum temperature for plastic elevator buckets?
Per Tapco: polyethylene 200 °F (93 °C), urethane 212 °F (100 °C) and nylon 275 °F (135 °C). Above 275 °F use steel, or ductile iron to 800 °F.
When do I need steel or ductile iron buckets?
When the material is hotter than 275 °F, sharp (crushed glass, oyster shell, glass cullet), or large and dense (stone, gravel, ores, coal, clinker or lumps over 3/8 inch). Steel buckets are quoted to your leg.
Which bucket is food grade?
White polyethylene. Tapco's HDPE meets FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for food contact, for flour, sugar and other food products.
What if my material is not listed?
Send us the material, its temperature and your leg details (belt width, speed and bucket spacing) and we will recommend the bucket.
Not sure? Send us the material and the leg
Tell us what you elevate, its temperature, and the belt width, speed and bucket spacing. We will recommend the bucket and quote it.