Taper Lock Bushings
Series: 1008, 1108, 1210, 1610, 2012, 2517, 3020, 3525, 4040, 4545, 5050
Bore Range: 1/2" to 5"+ (English); metric bores standard across all series
Materials: Steel (standard), stainless steel (food/pharma)
Keyway: Standard on all sizes (with set screw)
Brands: Gates, Continental/ContiTech
In Stock: Same-day shipping from Houston
Taper Lock bushings are a split-taper mounting system that locks sheaves, sprockets, and couplings onto shafts using draw screws that compress the bushing onto the shaft. Originally developed in Europe, Taper Lock has become increasingly common in North American plants, especially on metric-shaft equipment, food processing lines, and applications requiring stainless steel construction for washdown and sanitary environments.
Texas Belting stocks Taper Lock bushings in all 11 standard series, covering bore diameters from 1/2" to 5" and beyond. Both English and metric bores are available across all series. Stainless steel Taper Lock bushings are available for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing applications where carbon steel is not acceptable.
Taper Lock Size Guide
Taper Lock bushings use a four-digit series number that indicates the outer flange diameter and hub length. The sheave or sprocket specifies which series it accepts. Select the bushing in that series with the bore matching your shaft diameter.
| Series | Bore Range & Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 1008 | 1/2" to 1". Smallest Taper Lock. Light duty timing pulleys and small sheaves. 2 draw screws. |
| 1108 | 1/2" to 1-1/8". Small pulleys and sprockets. Slightly larger flange than 1008. 2 draw screws. |
| 1210 | 1/2" to 1-1/2". General purpose, small to medium duty. Popular on European OEM equipment. 2 draw screws. |
| 1610 | 1/2" to 1-5/8". Medium duty. Very common on European-standard sheaves and sprockets. 2 draw screws. |
| 2012 | 1/2" to 2". Medium to heavy. Popular industrial size for sheaves and timing sprockets. 2 draw screws. |
| 2517 | 5/8" to 2-1/2". Heavy duty. Larger sheaves and sprockets, conveyors. 2 draw screws. |
| 3020 | 3/4" to 3". Heavy duty. Large industrial drives, heavy conveyors. 2 draw screws. |
| 3525 | 1" to 3-1/2". Heavy plant equipment. Mining, aggregate, process industry. 2 draw screws. |
| 4040 | 1-1/4" to 4". Large bore. Heavy industrial drives. 3 draw screws. |
| 4545 | 1-1/2" to 4-1/2". Very large drives. 3 draw screws. |
| 5050 | 1-3/4" to 5". Largest standard series. Heaviest industrial applications. 3 draw screws. |
Metric bores with metric keyway are standard across all Taper Lock series. This is one of Taper Lock's key advantages over QD bushings for metric shaft applications.
Stainless Steel Taper Lock
Stainless steel Taper Lock bushings are available in most series for applications where carbon steel is not acceptable. Common situations include food processing (FDA/USDA requirements), pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical processing, washdown environments, outdoor or marine installations, and any application where corrosion resistance is critical.
Stainless Taper Lock is a key differentiator from QD bushings, which are generally not available in stainless steel. If your application requires stainless bushings, Taper Lock is typically the only option in the standard bushing systems.
Installation
Step 1: Clean the shaft, bushing bore, and hub taper surfaces. Remove all dirt, rust, and burrs.
Step 2: Apply a light film of oil to the outer taper surface of the bushing. This helps the bushing seat properly and eases future removal.
Step 3: Insert the bushing into the hub with the half-holes aligned to form complete screw holes. The bushing should slide in by hand.
Step 4: Slide the assembly onto the shaft and position it for correct belt alignment.
Step 5: Insert the draw screws and tighten alternately in small increments until all reach the specified torque. The bushing will compress onto the shaft as the taper seats.
Step 6: After a few hours of operation, re-check and re-torque all draw screws.
Removal
Step 1: Remove all draw screws from the draw holes.
Step 2: Thread one or more draw screws into the extraction (jacking) hole(s). These are separate holes in the bushing flange specifically for removal.
Step 3: Tighten the extraction screw(s) to push the bushing free from the hub taper. The bushing will release its grip on the shaft.
Step 4: Slide the bushing and sheave/sprocket off the shaft.
If the bushing is stuck due to corrosion or over-torque, apply penetrating oil around the taper joint and let it soak before attempting extraction. Do not use hammers or pry bars, as these can damage the bushing, hub, and shaft.
Recommended Draw Screw Torque
| Series | Torque (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|
| 1008 | 5.8 ft-lbs |
| 1108 | 5.8 ft-lbs |
| 1210 | 5.8 ft-lbs |
| 1610 | 9 ft-lbs |
| 2012 | 18 ft-lbs |
| 2517 | 18 ft-lbs |
| 3020 | 31 ft-lbs |
| 3525 | 50 ft-lbs |
| 4040 | 80 ft-lbs |
| 4545 | 80 ft-lbs |
| 5050 | 136 ft-lbs |
Taper Lock vs. QD: When to Use Each
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Use Taper Lock When | Equipment uses European/metric standards. Stainless steel bushing is required (food, pharma, washdown). Metric bore is needed. High concentricity and tight tolerance are critical. The installed equipment already uses Taper Lock hubs. |
| Use QD When | Equipment uses North American standards. Wider bore range is needed (up to 12"+). Fastest possible install/removal is the priority. The installed equipment already uses QD hubs. |
| Not Interchangeable | QD and Taper Lock use different taper angles and bolt patterns. A Taper Lock bushing will not fit a QD hub and vice versa. The bushing system must match the sheave or sprocket hub. |
Brands We Carry
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| Gates | Taper Lock bushings in all series. English and metric bores. Steel and stainless steel. Full range. |
| Continental | Taper Lock bushings for industrial replacement. Strong metric bore selection. |
Taper Lock bushings are an industry standard and interchangeable across brands when the series number and bore match. We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other manufacturers. Send us any part number and we will confirm the match.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Taper Lock bushing?
A Taper Lock bushing is a split, tapered mounting hub that locks a sheave, sprocket, or coupling onto a shaft. Draw screws pull the bushing into a matching tapered hub bore, compressing the split bushing onto the shaft. The design provides high concentricity, strong torque transmission, and reliable shaft grip without welding or press-fitting.
How do I know which Taper Lock series I need?
The series number is determined by the sheave or sprocket, not the shaft. Check the part number, product listing, or hub markings for the four-digit series (1008, 1108, 1210, 1610, 2012, 2517, 3020, 3525, 4040, 4545, or 5050). Then select the bushing in that series with the bore matching your shaft diameter. Send us the sheave part number if you need help identifying the series.
Can I use a Taper Lock bushing on a QD sheave?
No. Taper Lock and QD are different systems with different taper angles, bolt patterns, and hub geometries. They are not interchangeable. The bushing type must match the hub on your sheave or sprocket.
Are stainless steel Taper Lock bushings available?
Yes. Stainless steel Taper Lock bushings are available in most series for food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical, and washdown environments. Stainless is a key advantage of Taper Lock over QD, which is generally not available in stainless steel. Contact us to confirm stainless availability for your series and bore.
Should I oil the Taper Lock bushing before installation?
Yes. Apply a light film of oil to the outer taper surface of the bushing before inserting it into the hub. This helps the taper seat evenly, prevents galling, and makes future removal easier. Use light machine oil or spray lubricant. This is the opposite of QD bushings, which must be installed dry.
Are metric bore Taper Lock bushings available?
Yes. Metric bores with metric keyway are standard across all Taper Lock series. Taper Lock was developed in Europe, so metric sizing is a core strength of the system. This makes Taper Lock the preferred choice when your equipment uses metric shafts.
Are Taper Lock bushings interchangeable between brands?
Yes. Taper Lock is an industry standard with consistent taper angles and screw patterns across manufacturers. A Gates Taper Lock bushing will fit a Continental hub (and vice versa) as long as the series number and bore match.
Can Texas Belting cross-reference Taper Lock bushing part numbers?
Yes. We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other manufacturers. Send us the part number or call 888-203-2358.
