The Vortex X-Series is a single-reduction worm gear speed reducer with a NEMA C-face input flange and a solid output shaft, available in eight unit sizes from X133 (1.333-inch center distance) through X325 (3.250-inch center distance) and eight ratios from 5:1 through 60:1. It is the default Vortex worm gear configuration for fractional-to-medium-HP applications driven by a standard NEMA C-face electric motor: conveyors, mixers, packaging lines, and OEM machinery.
| Quick Reference | Specification |
|---|---|
| Series | Vortex X-Series worm gear speed reducer |
| Available Sizes | 8 sizes from X133 (1.333" center distance) through X325 (3.250" center distance) |
| Available Ratios | 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1 |
| Output Shaft | Solid, with keyway |
| Housing | Cast iron, painted finish, sealed for indoor and protected outdoor use |
| Max Input Speed | 1,750 RPM (standard NEMA motor speed) |
| Mounting | Nema c-face input flange; foot-mount or flange-mount kit available |
| Country of Origin | Manufactured for the Vortex Speed Reducers product line |
About the Vortex X-Series
The X-Series is built around a single-pair worm-and-gear arrangement housed in a cast iron case. The worm is on the high-speed input shaft coupled to the motor through the C-face flange, and the output is a solid steel shaft running perpendicular to the worm at 90 degrees. The 1.333-inch center distance on the X133 refers to the perpendicular distance between the worm centerline and the output shaft centerline, and that dimension is the primary spec used to cross-reference Vortex against competitive worm gear reducers from Baldor, Boston Gear, Dodge, Falk, Hub City, and others. Each X-Series unit ships with the housing prepped for foot mounting; a flange adapter is available as an accessory.
In service, a Vortex X-Series reducer is coupled directly to a motor on the input side, with the driven load coupled to the output shaft. The worm-and-gear arrangement provides fixed-ratio speed reduction with quiet operation and inherent self-locking at higher ratios. A X325 at 60:1 cannot be back-driven by its output, which makes it well-suited for hoists, lifts, and applications where coast-down or load drop-back must be prevented.
Available Sizes and Capacities
The X-Series is available in eight unit sizes. Unit size corresponds to center distance, the perpendicular distance between the worm shaft centerline and the output shaft centerline, in thousandths of an inch. A X133, for example, has a 1.333-inch center distance.
| Model | Center Distance | Motor Frames | Output Torque @ 10:1, 1750 RPM | OHL Capacity | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X133 | 1.333" | 56C | 247 in-lbs | 300 lbs | 13.2 lbs |
| X154 | 1.540" | 56C | 327 in-lbs | 450 lbs | 15.4 lbs |
| X175 | 1.750" | 56C | 515 in-lbs | 650 lbs | 19.8 lbs |
| X206 | 2.062" | 56C | 935 in-lbs | 700 lbs | 28.6 lbs |
| X237 | 2.375" | 56C, 140TC | 1158 in-lbs | 900 lbs | 37.4 lbs |
| X262 | 2.625" | 56C, 140TC | 1445 in-lbs | 1000 lbs | 48.4 lbs |
| X300 | 3.000" | 56C, 140TC, 180TC | 1833 in-lbs | 1100 lbs | 66.0 lbs |
| X325 | 3.250" | 56C, 140TC, 180TC | 2419 in-lbs | 1200 lbs | 74.8 lbs |
Torque values shown are mechanical output torque at 1,750 RPM input. OHL = Overhung Load capacity at the output shaft. Full HP and torque ratings at 1750, 1150, 690, and 100 RPM input speeds are listed on each product page.
How to Read a Vortex X-Series Part Number
Vortex part numbers follow a structured format. Take X133-10-56C-L as the example:
| Segment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| X | Series identifier (X = solid output shaft) |
| 133 | Unit size, equal to the center distance in thousandths of an inch (133 = 1.333") |
| 10 | Nominal gear ratio (10:1) |
| 56C | NEMA C-face motor frame the input flange accepts |
| L | Output shaft direction: L = left-hand, R = right-hand, LR = double-ended |
Applications
Vortex X-Series reducers are used in fixed-speed, fractional-to-medium-HP power transmission applications. Typical installations include:
- Belt and chain conveyors in packaging, food processing, and material handling lines
- Mixers, agitators, and batch process equipment for paint, food, and chemical production
- Indexing tables, rotary dial machines, and machine-tool feed drives
- Pump drives where a fixed-speed reducer is needed between motor and pump
- Door operators, gate actuators, and barrier systems
- OEM machinery where a compact, sealed gear reducer is integrated into the design
- Material handling equipment in lumber mills, recycling plants, and grain processing
Competitor Cross-References
The Vortex X-Series interchanges with most major worm gear reducer brands at matching center distances. Use this table to find a Vortex replacement for an existing competitive unit. Always verify motor frame, output shaft size, ratio, and hand of rotation against your existing nameplate before ordering.
| Manufacturer | Line | X133 | X154 | X175 | X206 | X237 | X262 | X300 | X325 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldor | F-Series | F913 | F915 | F918 | F921 | F924 | F926 | F930 | F932 |
| Boston Gear | F700-Series | F713 | F715 | F718 | F721 | F724 | F726 | F730 | F732 |
| Cone Drive | B-Series | B02WAN | B03WAN | B04WAN | B05WAN | B06WAN | B08WAN | B09WAN | B10WAN |
| Dodge Tigear | Q-Series | Q133 | N/A | Q175 | Q200 | N/A | Q262 | N/A | N/A |
| Dodge Tigear II | Q-Series | 13Q | 15Q | 17Q | 21Q | 23Q | 26Q | 30Q | N/A |
| Falk Omnibox | WBM | 1133WBM | 1154WBM | 1175WBM | 1206WBM | 1238WBM | 1262WBM | 1300WBM | 1325WBM |
| Grove Gear | BMQ-Series | BMQ213 | BMQ215 | BMQ218 | BMQ221 | BMQ224 | BMQ226 | BMQ230 | BMQ232 |
| Hub City | Hubco | 134 | 154 | 184 | 214 | 244 | 264 | 304 | 324 |
| Morse Invader | F-Series | 713F | 715F | 718F | 721F | 724F | 726F | 730F | 732F |
| Morse Raider | Q-Series | 133Q | 154Q | 175Q | 206Q | 237Q | 262Q | 300Q | 325Q |
| Ohio Gear | BMQ2 | BMQ2133 | N/A | BMQ2175 | BMQ2206 | BMQ2238 | BMQ2262 | BMQ2300 | BMQ2325 |
| Winsmith | MDN | 913MDN | N/A | 917MDN | 920MDN | 924MDN | 926MDN | 930MDN | N/A |
"N/A" indicates the manufacturer does not offer a unit at that size class. Cross-reference is mechanical based on center distance and mounting interface. Confirm output shaft, ratio, and hand match before substituting.
Selection Guide
To select a Vortex X-Series reducer for your application, work through four questions in order:
- What output speed do you need? Output RPM = motor RPM ÷ ratio. A 1750 RPM motor with a 10:1 reducer gives 175 RPM at the output (less actual ratio variance; exact ratios are listed on each product page).
- What torque does the driven load require? Compare the required output torque to the reducer's mechanical torque rating at your ratio and input speed. Build in a service factor (typically 1.0 for steady, 1.4 for shock, 2.0 for severe).
- What motor frame are you driving with? Confirm the X-Series size you're considering supports your motor frame (X133 to X206 are 56C only; X237 to X262 add 140TC; X300 to X325 add 180TC).
- What's the overhung load at the output? If you're driving a sprocket, sheave, or pinion at the output shaft, the radial load from belt/chain tension or gear separation force has to stay within the OHL rating for that size.
If you'd rather have us size the reducer for you, call (888) 203-2358 or open a quote and tell us your application: driven equipment, motor HP, required output speed, and operating cycle. We'll spec the right Vortex unit and confirm stock from our Houston warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vortex X-Series worm gear reducer used for?
The Vortex X-Series is a single-reduction worm gear speed reducer with a solid output shaft and a NEMA C-face input flange. It is used wherever a motor needs to drive a shaft at lower speed and higher torque than the motor produces directly: conveyors, mixers, indexing tables, pumps, lifts, and packaging machinery being the most common installations. The C-face flange lets you bolt a standard NEMA motor directly to the input, eliminating the coupling and alignment work required by an inline reducer.
What does the part number X133-10-56C-L mean?
X is the series identifier (X-Series, solid output shaft). 133 is the unit size, equal to the center distance in thousandths of an inch, so X133 has a 1.333-inch center distance. 10 is the nominal gear ratio (10:1, with an exact ratio of 10.3:1). 56C is the NEMA C-face motor frame the input flange accepts. L indicates a left-hand output shaft. The same family includes R (right-hand) and LR (double-ended) output configurations.
Which Vortex X-Series size replaces a Dodge Tigear Q133 or a Hub City 134?
Both the Dodge Tigear Q133 and the Hub City 134 are 1.333-inch center distance worm gear reducers, so they both cross-reference to the Vortex X133. Match the ratio, motor frame, and output shaft direction from the original nameplate. The Vortex X-Series also cross-references to Baldor F913, Boston Gear F713, Falk Omnibox 1133WBM, Grove Gear BMQ213, Morse Raider 133Q, and Winsmith 913MDN at that same 1.333" center distance.
What's the difference between the Vortex X-Series, XS-Series, and XH-Series?
All three share the same housing, gearing, and ratio set. The only differences are the input and output shaft configurations. The X-Series has a NEMA C-face input flange and a solid output shaft. The XS-Series has solid input and output shafts but no motor flange, so it is driven by belt or chain rather than a coupled motor. The XH-Series has a NEMA C-face input flange but a hollow output bore that slides directly over a driven shaft and locks with a key, used on conveyor head shafts and mixer drives where you want the reducer to mount on the driven shaft instead of being coupled.
What ratios and motor frames are available?
Every X-Series size is available in eight nominal ratios: 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, and 60:1. The smaller sizes (X133, X154, X175, X206) accept only the NEMA 56C motor frame. X237 and X262 add NEMA 140TC. X300 and X325 add NEMA 180TC. Confirm the frame on your motor's nameplate before ordering. The frame number is the dimensional standard the C-face flange is machined to.
Can the Vortex X-Series be run backward (output driving input)?
Vortex X-Series reducers at ratios of 30:1 and higher are self-locking, meaning the output cannot back-drive the input under load. This is useful for hoists, jacks, and any application where you want the reducer to hold position when power is removed. At lower ratios (5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1) back-driving is possible under load, so an external brake or a backstop accessory should be specified if the application requires holding torque. Specific back-drive behavior depends on the load and is not a substitute for a properly engineered brake.
Does the X-Series ship from Houston, and how fast?
All Vortex X-Series reducers in our active inventory ship from Texas Belting & Supply's Houston, TX warehouse the same business day for orders received before 3 PM Central time. Standard sizes and ratios (X133 through X325 in the 5:1 to 60:1 range) are generally in stock. For non-stocked configurations, lead time is typically one to three business days from receipt of order. Call (888) 203-2358 to confirm stock and request a quote.
Need help sizing a Vortex X-Series reducer?
Houston warehouse, same-day shipping on stock items. Engineering support available.
Call (888) 203-2358