Vortex XS-Series Worm Gear Reducers

The Vortex XS-Series is a worm gear speed reducer configured for belt or chain drive, with solid input shaft and solid output shaft, with no motor flange. Available in eight unit sizes from XS133 (1.333-inch center distance) through XS325 (3.250-inch center distance), in eight ratios from 5:1 through 60:1. It is the Vortex configuration to specify when the motor cannot be coupled directly to the reducer: line-shaft drives, separated-motor installations, and multi-reducer arrangements.

Quick Reference	Specification
Series	Vortex XS-Series worm gear speed reducer
Available Sizes	8 sizes from XS133 (1.333" center distance) through XS325 (3.250" center distance)
Available Ratios	5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1
Input / Output Shafts	Both solid, with keyways
Housing	Cast iron, painted finish, sealed for indoor and protected outdoor use
Max Input Speed	1,750 RPM (standard NEMA motor speed)
Mounting	Two protruding shafts for belt or chain drive applications; foot-mount or flange-mount kit available
Country of Origin	Manufactured for the Vortex Speed Reducers product line

About the Vortex XS-Series

The XS-Series uses the same housing, gearing, and ratio set as the X-Series. The single difference is the input side. Rather than a NEMA C-face flange that accepts a coupled motor, the XS has a solid input shaft that protrudes through the input cover with a standard keyway. That input shaft is driven by a sheave, sprocket, or coupling rather than a directly-mounted motor. This makes the XS-Series the right choice for line-shaft conveyor drives, multi-station packaging machinery, and any application where the prime mover needs to be positioned away from the reducer.

In service, a Vortex XS-Series reducer is belt-driven via a sheave on the input shaft, 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 XS325 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 XS-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 XS133, for example, has a 1.333-inch center distance.

Model	Center Distance	Motor Frames	Output Torque @ 10:1, 1750 RPM	OHL Capacity	Weight
XS133	1.333"	56C	247 in-lbs	300 lbs	13.2 lbs
XS154	1.540"	56C	327 in-lbs	450 lbs	15.4 lbs
XS175	1.750"	56C	515 in-lbs	650 lbs	19.8 lbs
XS206	2.062"	56C	935 in-lbs	700 lbs	28.6 lbs
XS237	2.375"	56C, 140TC	1158 in-lbs	900 lbs	37.4 lbs
XS262	2.625"	56C, 140TC	1445 in-lbs	1000 lbs	48.4 lbs
XS300	3.000"	56C, 140TC, 180TC	1833 in-lbs	1100 lbs	66.0 lbs
XS325	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 XS-Series Part Number

Vortex part numbers follow a structured format. Take XS133-10-L as the example:

Segment	Meaning
XS	Series identifier (XS = solid input + solid output shafts, no motor flange)
133	Unit size, equal to the center distance in thousandths of an inch (133 = 1.333")
10	Nominal gear ratio (10:1)
L	Output shaft direction: L = left-hand, R = right-hand, LR = double-ended

Applications

Vortex XS-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 XS-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 XS-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 XS-Series size you're considering supports your motor frame (XS133 to XS206 are 56C only; XS237 to XS262 add 140TC; XS300 to XS325 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 XS-Series worm gear reducer used for?

The Vortex XS-Series is a worm gear speed reducer with solid input and output shafts and no motor flange. It is driven by a belt, chain, or coupled secondary input (not a directly-mounted motor) and is used wherever the driving and driven sides need to be physically separated from each other, where motor mounting needs to remain flexible, or where multiple reducers are being driven from a common line shaft. Typical applications include line-shaft conveyor drives, multi-station packaging machinery, and OEM equipment where the motor is positioned away from the reducer for clearance or maintenance reasons.

What does the part number XS133-10-L mean?

XS is the series identifier (XS-Series, solid input + solid output shafts, no motor flange). 133 is the unit size, equal to the center distance in thousandths of an inch, so XS133 has a 1.333-inch center distance, the same as an X133. 10 is the nominal gear ratio (10:1, with an exact ratio of 10.3:1). L indicates a left-hand output shaft. The same family includes R (right-hand) and LR (double-ended output) configurations. XS-Series part numbers do not include a motor frame designator because the input is a solid shaft.

How is the XS-Series different from the X-Series?

The XS-Series shares the same housing, gearing, ratios, and output shaft as the X-Series. The only difference is the input side. The X-Series has a NEMA C-face input flange so a standard NEMA motor bolts directly to the reducer. The XS-Series has a solid input shaft instead of the flange, so the reducer is driven by a sheave, sprocket, or coupling on the input shaft rather than a motor mounted to it. Choose XS when you need to drive the reducer with a belt or chain, or when the motor cannot be located adjacent to the reducer.

What input shaft size does the XS-Series have?

Input shaft sizes scale with the unit size. The XS133 has a 0.500-inch input shaft. The XS154 has a 0.500-inch shaft as well. The XS175 has a 0.625-inch shaft. The XS206 has a 0.625-inch shaft. The XS237 has a 0.750-inch shaft. The XS262 has a 0.875-inch shaft. The XS300 has a 1.000-inch shaft. The XS325 has a 1.125-inch shaft. All input shafts are supplied with a standard keyway.

Can I drive an XS-Series reducer with a belt?

Yes, belt drive is one of the primary applications for the XS-Series. The solid input shaft accepts a sheave or pulley, and the reducer can be sized so the belt drive performs an additional reduction (for example, a 2:1 belt drive into a 30:1 reducer gives a 60:1 overall reduction without needing the 60:1 worm gear size). When selecting a sheave, check the input shaft's overhung load rating against the belt tension to make sure you don't overload the input bearings.

What ratios and sizes are available?

Every XS-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. Sizes range from XS133 (1.333-inch center distance) through XS325 (3.250-inch center distance) in eight steps. Center distance, output torque ratings, OHL capacities, and weight for each size are listed in the size table above and on the individual product pages.

Does the XS-Series ship from Houston?

Yes. All Vortex XS-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 XS133 through XS325 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. Call (888) 203-2358 to confirm stock.