Vortex XH-Series Hollow Shaft Worm Gear Reducers

The Vortex XH-Series is a worm gear speed reducer with a NEMA C-face input flange and a hollow output bore, designed to mount directly over the driven shaft rather than couple to it. Available in eight unit sizes from XH133 (1.333-inch center distance) through XH325 (3.250-inch center distance) and eight ratios from 5:1 through 60:1. It is the standard Vortex worm gear configuration for conveyor head shaft drives, mixer drives, and any application where the reducer mounts directly on the driven shaft.

Quick Reference	Specification
Series	Vortex XH-Series worm gear speed reducer
Available Sizes	8 sizes from XH133 (1.333" center distance) through XH325 (3.250" center distance)
Available Ratios	5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1
Output Shaft	Hollow bore, sized for direct mount on driven shaft
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 XH-Series

The XH-Series uses the same housing, gearing, and ratios as the X-Series. The only difference is the output. Instead of a solid output shaft, the XH has a through-bore at the output position that fits over the driven shaft and locks with a key plus a setscrew or shrink disc. The hollow bore is sized per part number. For example, an XH133-10-56C-.625 has a 5/8-inch (0.625") output bore, while larger XH sizes are available with bores up to 1.9375 inches. A torque arm or torque bracket (specified separately) connects the housing to a fixed frame to prevent the reducer from rotating with the driven shaft. Backstop accessories are available for any XH size where reverse rotation under load needs to be prevented.

In service, a Vortex XH-Series reducer is coupled directly to a motor on the input side, while the hollow output bore mounts directly over the driven shaft using a key and locking method. The worm-and-gear arrangement provides fixed-ratio speed reduction with quiet operation and inherent self-locking at higher ratios. A XH325 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 XH-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 XH133, for example, has a 1.333-inch center distance.

Model	Center Distance	Motor Frames	Output Torque @ 10:1, 1750 RPM	OHL Capacity	Weight
XH133	1.333"	56C	247 in-lbs	300 lbs	13.2 lbs
XH154	1.540"	56C	327 in-lbs	450 lbs	15.4 lbs
XH175	1.750"	56C	515 in-lbs	650 lbs	19.8 lbs
XH206	2.062"	56C	935 in-lbs	700 lbs	28.6 lbs
XH237	2.375"	56C, 140TC	1158 in-lbs	900 lbs	37.4 lbs
XH262	2.625"	56C, 140TC	1445 in-lbs	1000 lbs	48.4 lbs
XH300	3.000"	56C, 140TC, 180TC	1833 in-lbs	1100 lbs	66.0 lbs
XH325	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 XH-Series Part Number

Vortex part numbers follow a structured format. Take XH133-10-56C-.625 as the example:

Segment	Meaning
XH	Series identifier (XH = hollow output shaft for direct shaft mounting)
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
.625	Hollow output bore diameter in inches (also available in larger bores per size)

Applications

Vortex XH-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 XH-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.

"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 XH-Series reducer for your application, work through four questions in order:

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. What motor frame are you driving with? Confirm the XH-Series size you're considering supports your motor frame (XH133 to XH206 are 56C only; XH237 to XH262 add 140TC; XH300 to XH325 add 180TC).
4. 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 XH-Series hollow shaft worm gear reducer used for?

The Vortex XH-Series is a worm gear speed reducer with a NEMA C-face input flange and a hollow output bore (not a solid output shaft). The hollow output bore slides directly over the driven shaft and locks with a key plus a setscrew or shrink disc. This direct-mount configuration eliminates the coupling, alignment work, and additional shaft hardware that a solid-output-shaft reducer would require. The XH-Series is the standard choice for conveyor head shaft drives, mixer drives, agitator drives, and any application where the reducer is mounted directly on the driven shaft.

What does the part number XH133-10-56C-.625 mean?

XH is the series identifier (XH-Series, hollow output shaft for direct shaft mounting). 133 is the unit size, equal to the center distance in thousandths of an inch (1.333"). 10 is the nominal gear ratio (10:1, exact ratio 10.3:1). 56C is the NEMA C-face motor frame the input flange accepts. .625 is the hollow output bore diameter in inches, meaning this reducer mounts on a 5/8-inch driven shaft. Other bore sizes are available within the same XH133 size class to fit a variety of driven shafts.

What's the difference between the XH-Series and the X-Series?

The XH-Series and X-Series share the same housing, gearing, ratios, and motor flange. The only difference is the output. The X-Series has a solid output shaft you couple to your driven load with a separate coupling or sheave. The XH-Series has a hollow output bore that mounts directly over the driven shaft itself. Choose XH for conveyors, mixers, and any installation where you want the reducer to ride on the driven shaft rather than be aligned and coupled to it. Choose X when the reducer needs to sit on a base independent of the driven equipment.

How is the XH-Series secured to the driven shaft?

The hollow output bore has a keyway that pairs with a key on the driven shaft for torque transmission. Axial location is held by a setscrew, end plate, or shrink disc depending on the application requirements. A torque arm or torque bracket attaches the reducer housing to a stationary frame to prevent rotation. For mixers and high-shock applications, a heavier-duty torque arm kit (sold separately) is recommended. Confirm the driven shaft surface finish and tolerance match the XH bore tolerance. The reducer ships with the bore machined to standard hollow-shaft tolerances.

Can I add a backstop to prevent reverse rotation?

Yes. The XH-Series supports an output-side backstop accessory that prevents the output bore from rotating in one direction; used on inclined conveyors, elevators, and any application where you cannot allow the load to back-drive the reducer if power is lost. Backstops are size-specific (a backstop for an XH206 is different from a backstop for an XH262) and ship as separate accessories. Specify the rotational direction you want to lock against when ordering.

What ratios and bore sizes are available?

Every XH-Series size is available in the same eight nominal ratios as the X-Series: 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, and 60:1. Hollow bore sizes are size-specific. For example, the XH133 is supplied with a 0.625" bore, while larger sizes offer larger bores up to 1.9375" on the XH325. Bore selection is part of the part number and is fixed at manufacture. If you need a different bore than the listed standard, contact us for a special-order configuration.

Does the XH-Series ship from Houston?

Yes. All Vortex XH-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 XH133 through XH325 in the 5:1 to 60:1 range with common bore sizes are typically stocked. Non-standard bores and ratios may have a one-to-three business day lead time. Call (888) 203-2358 to confirm stock.