Why does product testing matter before choosing a bucket elevator?

Every bulk material behaves differently. A conveying solution that performs perfectly with one product may cause breakage, product loss or insufficient capacity with another. Testing the actual product reveals breakage risk and real capacity before the investment is made.

What is evaluated during a product test?

Typical evaluation parameters include conveying capacity, chain speed optimisation, product flow behaviour, product breakage, bucket filling efficiency, selection of the optimum feeding system, standard and FRB bucket comparison, split bucket solutions for multiple products, and cleaning performance of buckets and chains during CIP washing.

Which products benefit most from testing?

Sensitive products such as breakfast cereals, snacks, pasta, pet food, coffee, seeds and extruded aquafeed, where even minor product damage reduces product quality and increases waste.

Bucket Elevator Product Testing — Why It Matters

Selecting the right bucket elevator is not only about conveying capacity. Every bulk material has unique physical properties that directly affect product integrity, filling efficiency and overall system performance. A conveying solution that performs perfectly with one product may not deliver the same results with another.

At Simatek Bulk Systems, this challenge is addressed through customer-specific product testing in our in-house test centre. Instead of relying solely on theoretical calculations, actual products are tested under real operating conditions before the final equipment configuration is selected.

Every Product Behaves Differently

Bulk materials vary significantly in terms of:

Particle size and shape
Bulk density
Flow characteristics
Moisture content
Product fragility
Surface properties

These differences influence bucket filling, discharge efficiency, conveying capacity and the risk of product degradation.

Testing allows these characteristics to be evaluated before installation, reducing uncertainty during project execution.

What Is Evaluated?

Customer products can be tested using different elevator sizes, bucket designs and feeding systems. Typical evaluation parameters include:

Conveying capacity
Chain speed optimisation
Product flow behaviour
Product breakage
Bucket filling efficiency
Selection of the optimum feeding system
Standard and FRB bucket comparison
Split bucket solutions for handling multiple products
Cleaning performance of buckets and chains during CIP washing

These practical tests provide valuable engineering data for selecting the most suitable configuration for each application.

Z-type bucket elevator set up for customer product trials in the Simatek test centre — An elevator unit in the Simatek test centre, running trials with a customer's own material.

Reduce Risk Before Installation

For sensitive products such as breakfast cereals, snacks and pasta, pet food, coffee, seeds or extruded aquafeed, even minor product damage can reduce product quality and increase waste.

Testing before manufacturing helps to:

Minimise product breakage
Verify conveying capacity
Optimise bucket filling
Improve operational reliability
Reduce commissioning risks
Increase confidence before investment

Engineering Decisions Based on Real Data

Rather than selecting an elevator based only on catalogue values, product testing provides measurable results using the customer’s own material.

This allows engineers to optimise:

Bucket type
Elevator size
Chain speed
Feeding system
Overall system configuration

The result is a conveying solution specifically adapted to the application rather than a standard configuration.

From Test Centre to Production Line

Every successful conveying project begins with understanding the product itself.

By combining practical testing with decades of engineering experience, Simatek Bulk Systems helps customers select the most efficient and gentle conveying solution for their specific application — ensuring high capacity while preserving product quality throughout the process.

Explore the SBS PenduLift Z-type bucket elevators →

To arrange a test with your own material, or to determine the right configuration for your plant, get in touch — our engineering team will prepare a solution tailored to your project.