QD & Taper Lock Bushings
QD Bushings: SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, S sizes. English and metric bores. 3/8" to 12"+.
Taper Lock Bushings: 1008 through 5050 series. English and metric bores. 1/2" to 5"+. Steel and stainless steel.
Materials: Cast iron, ductile iron, steel, stainless steel
Brands: Gates, Continental/ContiTech
In Stock: Same-day shipping from Houston
Bushings are the mounting interface between a shaft and a sheave, sprocket, or coupling. They lock the drive component to the shaft, transmit torque, and allow for fast installation and removal during maintenance. Without the right bushing, a sheave or sprocket cannot be properly secured to the shaft, and the drive will not function correctly.
Texas Belting stocks both major bushing systems used in industrial power transmission: Quick Disconnect (QD) and Taper Lock. QD is the dominant standard in North America. Taper Lock is the European-origin standard that is increasingly used in North American plants, especially where stainless steel or metric bores are required. We carry both systems in a full range of sizes and bore configurations to match every V-belt sheave and timing belt sprocket we stock.
Shop by Bushing Type
QD vs. Taper Lock: How They Compare
Both bushing systems use a tapered bore to lock a sheave or sprocket onto a shaft, but they differ in mounting method, removal method, and regional prevalence. This table covers the key differences to help you choose the right system or identify what your equipment already uses.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| QD Mounting | Cap screws pull the tapered bushing into the hub bore, expanding the bushing onto the shaft. Tightening the screws locks the assembly in place. |
| Taper Lock Mounting | Cap screws draw the split bushing into a matching tapered hub, compressing it onto the shaft. The split design grips the shaft as the taper seats. |
| QD Removal | Remove the cap screws, thread them into the push-off holes, and tighten to push the bushing out of the hub. No pullers needed. |
| Taper Lock Removal | Remove the draw screws, thread one into the extraction hole, and tighten to push the bushing free from the hub. |
| QD Bore Range | 3/8" to 12"+ (English). Metric bores available. Widest bore range of any bushing system. |
| Taper Lock Bore Range | 1/2" to 5"+ (English). Metric bores widely available. Strong metric selection. |
| QD Materials | Cast iron, ductile iron, steel. No stainless option in most lines. |
| Taper Lock Materials | Steel and stainless steel. Stainless is a key advantage for food, pharma, and washdown environments. |
| QD Industry Standard | Dominant in North America. Most V-belt sheaves and many timing belt sprockets are QD-mount. |
| Taper Lock Standard | Dominant in Europe. Growing use in North America, especially on metric-shaft and food-grade equipment. |
QD Bushing Size Guide
QD bushings are identified by a letter code (SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, S) that indicates the outer flange diameter, hub length, and bolt pattern. Each letter size accepts a range of bore diameters. The sheave or sprocket part number specifies which QD letter size it requires.
| QD Size | Bore Range & Notes |
|---|---|
| SH | 3/8" to 1-1/8". Smallest QD. Light duty sheaves and small sprockets. |
| SDS | 1/2" to 1-5/8". Small to medium. Very common on A and B section sheaves. |
| SD | 1/2" to 2-1/8". Medium duty. Popular on B and C section QD sheaves. |
| SK | 3/4" to 2-7/16". Medium to heavy. B, C, and 5V sheaves. |
| SF | 3/4" to 3-3/16". Heavy duty. C, D, and 5V/8V sheaves. |
| E | 1" to 3-15/16". Heavy industrial. Large sheaves and sprockets. |
| F | 1-3/16" to 4-15/16". Large bore. Heavy conveyors, crushers. |
| J | 1-7/16" to 5-15/16". Very large bore. Mining, aggregate, heavy plant. |
| M | 2-1/16" to 7-7/16". Extra large. Heavy industry. |
| N | 2-15/16" to 8-15/16". Large plant equipment. |
| P, W, S | Up to 12"+. The largest QD bushings for extreme heavy-duty applications. |
Metric bores are available in most QD sizes. If you need a metric bore, specify the shaft diameter in millimeters and we will confirm availability. Browse all QD bushings.
Taper Lock Size Guide
Taper Lock bushings use a four-digit series number (1008, 1108, 1210, 1610, 2012, 2517, 3020, 3525, 4040, 4545, 5050) that indicates the outer diameter and length. Like QD, each series accepts a range of bore sizes. The sheave or sprocket hub specifies which Taper Lock series it requires.
| Series | Bore Range & Notes |
|---|---|
| 1008 | 1/2" to 1". Smallest Taper Lock. Light duty pulleys. |
| 1108 | 1/2" to 1-1/8". Small pulleys and sprockets. |
| 1210 | 1/2" to 1-1/2". General purpose, small to medium duty. |
| 1610 | 1/2" to 1-5/8". Medium duty. Common on European-standard equipment. |
| 2012 | 1/2" to 2". Medium to heavy. Popular industrial size. |
| 2517 | 5/8" to 2-1/2". Heavy duty. Larger sheaves and sprockets. |
| 3020 | 3/4" to 3". Heavy duty. Large industrial drives. |
| 3525 | 1" to 3-1/2". Heavy plant equipment. |
| 4040 | 1-1/4" to 4". Large bore, heavy industrial. |
| 4545 | 1-1/2" to 4-1/2". Very large drives. |
| 5050 | 1-3/4" to 5". Largest standard Taper Lock series. |
Stainless steel Taper Lock bushings are available in most series for food processing, pharmaceutical, and washdown applications. Metric bores are standard across all series. Browse all Taper Lock bushings.
Installation Basics
QD Bushing Installation
Step 1: Clean the shaft, bushing bore, and hub taper. Remove any burrs or debris.
Step 2: Place the bushing into the hub with the screw holes aligned. For a standard mount, the screw holes line up with the tapped holes in the hub.
Step 3: Slide the assembly onto the shaft and position it at the correct location.
Step 4: Insert the cap screws and tighten alternately in small increments until you reach the specified torque. Do not tighten one screw fully before the others.
Step 5: After the drive has run for a few hours, re-check torque on all cap screws.
Taper Lock Installation
Step 1: Clean the shaft, bushing bore, and hub taper. Apply a light film of oil to the outer taper surface of the bushing.
Step 2: Insert the bushing into the hub with the half holes aligned to form complete screw holes.
Step 3: Slide the assembly onto the shaft. Position it, then insert the draw screws.
Step 4: Tighten the draw screws alternately in small increments to specified torque. The bushing will compress onto the shaft as the taper seats.
Step 5: Re-check torque after a few hours of operation.
For complete installation and removal procedures, torque specifications, and troubleshooting, see our Bushing Selection Guide.
Brands We Carry
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| Gates | QD and Taper Lock bushings. Full range of sizes in English and metric bores. Industry standard. |
| Continental | QD and Taper Lock bushings. Strong selection for industrial replacement and metric applications. |
We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other manufacturers. Send us any bushing part number and we will confirm the equivalent in stock.
Common Applications
| Application | Typical Bushing |
|---|---|
| HVAC fans/blowers | QD (SDS, SD, SK). Most common bushing application in commercial buildings. |
| Pumps/compressors | QD (SD, SK, SF). Medium to heavy duty. Ductile iron for high torque. |
| Conveyor drives | QD (SF, E, F) or Taper Lock (2517, 3020). Depends on shaft size and origin of equipment. |
| Packaging machines | QD or Taper Lock. Often smaller sizes (SDS, SD, 1610, 2012) on timing belt sprockets. |
| Food processing | Stainless steel Taper Lock. Required for washdown and sanitary environments. |
| Mining/aggregate | QD (F, J, M, N) or Taper Lock (3525, 4040, 5050). Large bore, heavy duty. |
| Light OEM equipment | QD (SH, SDS) or Taper Lock (1008, 1108). Smallest sizes for light duty drives. |
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a QD bushing and a Taper Lock bushing?
Both use a tapered bore to lock a sheave or sprocket onto a shaft, but the mounting and removal methods differ. QD bushings pull into the hub bore with cap screws and push out in reverse for removal. Taper Lock bushings use a split design with draw screws that compress the bushing onto the shaft, and a separate extraction hole for removal. QD is the dominant standard in North America. Taper Lock is more common in Europe and increasingly used in North American plants, especially where stainless steel or metric bores are needed. See our Bushing Selection Guide for a detailed comparison.
How do I know which QD bushing size my sheave requires?
The sheave part number or product listing specifies the QD bushing letter size it accepts (SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, or S). Once you know the letter size, choose the bushing with the bore that matches your shaft diameter. The bushing and sheave are sold separately. If you are not sure, send us the sheave part number and we will confirm the correct bushing.
Can I use a QD bushing on a Taper Lock sheave (or vice versa)?
No. QD and Taper Lock hubs have different taper angles, bolt patterns, and mounting geometries. A QD bushing will not seat properly in a Taper Lock hub, and a Taper Lock bushing will not fit a QD hub. The bushing system must match the hub on your sheave or sprocket. If you need to switch systems, you need to replace the sheave or sprocket with one designed for the other bushing type.
Are metric bore bushings available?
Yes. Both QD and Taper Lock bushings are available with metric bores. Taper Lock has the broader metric selection since it is the European-origin standard. Specify your shaft diameter in millimeters and we will confirm availability. Contact us with your shaft size and we will find the right bushing.
Do I need a keyway in my shaft to use a bushing?
Most QD and Taper Lock bushings are supplied with a keyway and set screw to positively lock the bushing to the shaft and prevent rotation. A keyway in the shaft is standard practice for power transmission drives. Keyless designs exist for specialty applications, but for general industrial use, a keyed shaft is expected and recommended.
Should I lubricate the bushing taper before installation?
It depends on the bushing type. For QD bushings, do not apply any lubricant to the tapered surfaces. QD relies on dry friction between the bushing and hub taper to grip. Lubricant reduces this friction and can cause slippage. For Taper Lock bushings, a light film of oil on the outer taper surface is recommended to help the bushing seat properly and ease future removal.
How often should I re-torque bushing screws?
Re-check cap screw torque after the first few hours of operation on a new or reinstalled bushing. After that, check torque during routine maintenance inspections. Vibration, thermal cycling, and normal operation can cause screws to loosen over time. A loose bushing will allow the sheave or sprocket to shift on the shaft, causing belt tracking problems, noise, and accelerated wear.
Can Texas Belting cross-reference bushing part numbers?
Yes. We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other manufacturers. Send us the part number from your existing bushing and we will confirm the equivalent in stock. You can submit a part number here or call 888-203-2358.
