Description
WPZ Vertical Output Single Speed Worm Gear Reducer — Upward-Shaft Drive for Screw Conveyors, Bucket Elevators & Vertical Lifting
Conventional horizontal-output worm gearboxes require angle drives, bevel gears, or complex shaft arrangements when the application demands an upward-pointing output shaft. The WPZ vertical output worm gear reducer eliminates this complexity by delivering its output torque on a shaft that points vertically — making it the direct-drive solution of choice for screw conveyors, bucket elevators, vertical mixing shafts, and any machine architecture requiring an upward output axis.
The WPZ features a compact upright housing where the output shaft exits through the top face and the input shaft is horizontal — creating a 90° power turn in the most space-efficient possible geometry. Available in 7 frame sizes (50–135 mm) with ratios 1/5 to 1/60 and three shaft-direction configurations. The integral oil-fill system is designed specifically for this vertical-output orientation, ensuring correct gear and bearing lubrication without additional provisions. About Ever-power | Get a Quote
Technical Specifications
WPZ dimensional data. AB = housing width; LL = housing length; E₁ and E₂ = output shaft extension dimensions above and below housing. Input (worm) shaft is horizontal; output shaft exits vertically through top face. All dimensions in mm; reference input speed 1500 r/min.
| Size | Ratio | AB | LL | B | BB | CC | E₁ | E₂ | F | G | M | N | Z | HS | U | T×V | LS | S | W×Y | Wt(kg) | Oil(L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1/5–1/60 | 108 | 77 | 150 | 97 | 50 | 53 | 77 | 100 | 15 | 125 | 160 | 11 | 30 | 12 | 4×2.5 | 40 | 17 | 5×3 | 7 | 0.4 |
| 60 | 1/10–1/60 | 120 | 82 | 168 | 112 | 60 | 68 | 92 | 100 | 15 | 130 | 190 | 11 | 40 | 15 | 5×3 | 50 | 22 | 7×4 | 10 | 0.5 |
| 70 | 140 | 95 | 194 | 131 | 70 | 75 | 115 | 120 | 20 | 155 | 230 | 15 | 40 | 18 | 5×3 | 60 | 28 | 7×4 | 15 | 0.6 | |
| 80 | 160 | 100 | 214 | 142 | 80 | 96 | 144 | 125 | 20 | 160 | 265 | 15 | 50 | 22 | 7×4 | 65 | 32 | 10×4.5 | 20 | 1.1 | |
| 100 | 190 | 135 | 254 | 169 | 100 | 100 | 150 | 155 | 22 | 196 | 310 | 15 | 50 | 25 | 7×4 | 75 | 38 | 10×4.5 | 35 | 1.5 | |
| 120 | 219 | 160 | 282 | 190 | 120 | 120 | 180 | 180 | 28 | 230 | 360 | 18 | 65 | 30 | 7×4 | 85 | 45 | 12×4.5 | 60 | 4 | |
| 135 | 249 | 170 | 317 | 210 | 135 | 130 | 200 | 200 | 30 | 250 | 410 | 18 | 75 | 35 | 10×4.5 | 95 | 55 | 16×6 | 80 | 5.2 |
* WPZ available in sizes 50–135 only (not 40 or 155–250). Sizes 50 and 60 support ratios 1/5–1/60; larger sizes support 1/10–1/60. Three shaft direction positions available: A, B, C.
Product Structure — Vertical Output Shaft Design
The WPZ housing is a compact upright block with a flat base and a side-mounted input (worm) shaft bore. The worm wheel shaft exits through the top face as the vertical output shaft. This geometry achieves a 90° power turn in the smallest possible package while maintaining a stable flat base for direct bolt-down mounting to screw conveyor frames, elevator bases, or vertical machine structures.
| Output Shaft | Vertical, exits through top housing face; solid shaft with keyway |
| Input Shaft | Horizontal solid shaft with keyway; 3 direction positions (A, B, C) |
| Housing | FC25 cast iron compact upright block with flat base; top-face oil plug |
| Lubrication | Designed for vertical-output orientation; top-face oil fill and breather |
| Worm Pair | 20CrMnTi worm (≥58 HRC) + ZCuSn10Pb1 bronze wheel |
| Self-Locking | Available at ratios ≥1/30 — important for vertical conveyor holding |
✅ Key Features & Benefits
Purpose-Built Vertical Output
Unlike horizontal gearboxes retrofitted for vertical applications, the WPZ is designed from the ground up for vertical output. The housing, bearing arrangement, oil fill system, and shaft seals are all optimised for upward-pointing output shaft operation — ensuring reliable lubrication and long seal life in this specific orientation. Keywords: vertical output worm gearbox, upward shaft worm reducer.
Compact 90° Power Turn
The WPZ achieves a precise 90° power turn (horizontal input → vertical output) in the most compact possible geometry, reducing the vertical drive stack height on screw conveyors and bucket elevators compared to bevel-gear or right-angle gearbox alternatives.
Self-Locking for Vertical Load Holding
At ratios of 1/30 and above, the WPZ provides worm self-locking behaviour that prevents back-driving under static vertical load. This is particularly valuable for screw conveyors and vertical lifting applications where preventing uncontrolled reversal under gravity load is a safety requirement.
Flat-Base Direct Bolt-Down Mounting
The WPZ flat base bolts directly to conveyor frames, elevator base structures, and vertical machine platforms without adapter plates or angle brackets — simplifying installation and reducing the number of threaded interfaces subject to vibration loosening.
Precision Worm Pair — Low Noise
Ground worm and bronze wheel to ISO 1328 Grade 7 deliver quiet operation (≤72 dB(A)) essential in industrial environments. Efficiency 60–90% per ratio ensures cost-effective energy consumption across continuous screw conveyor and elevator operation.
Three Input Shaft Directions
Positions A, B, C allow the motor to be positioned on either side of the housing or from above, accommodating different machine layout constraints in screw conveyor and elevator drive assemblies.
Industry Applications
The WPZ vertical output worm reducer is the purpose-designed drive for vertical screw, auger, and elevator applications:
Screw ConveyorsHorizontal and inclined screw conveyor drives for bulk materials — grain, flour, plastic pellets, and powders — where the WPZ provides a compact direct-drive to the conveyor screw shaft with horizontal motor positioning.
Bucket ElevatorsVertical bucket elevator head drives for grain handling, mining, and aggregate plants where the WPZ’s vertical output shaft couples directly to the elevator head pulley shaft.
Grain Handling EquipmentGrain auger drives, grain pit conveyors, and silo fill augers in agricultural storage and processing facilities where compact vertical-output drives simplify machine frame design.
Chemical & PharmaceuticalVertical stirrer drives for reaction vessels, crystalliser agitators, and vacuum dryer mixing shafts requiring a compact, reliable vertical torque source mounted on or near the vessel top head.
Construction MaterialsCement screw conveyor drives, plaster feeder augers, and dry mortar mixing plant screw drives where the compact WPZ base mounts directly to the conveyor trough frame.
Aquaculture & Animal FeedFish feed auger drives, pellet conveyor screws, and grain transfer systems in aquaculture and animal nutrition facilities requiring reliable, low-maintenance vertical drive solutions.
Quality Control & Certification
ISO 9001:2015 & CE
Full ISO 9001:2015 QMS with CE Declaration of Conformity per shipment. WPZ units are run-tested in their design vertical-output orientation — not simply in horizontal position and then rotated — ensuring lubrication adequacy and seal integrity are verified under actual operating conditions.
⬆️ Vertical Orientation Run Test
Each WPZ is tested with output shaft vertical for 30 minutes at rated torque. Oil sump temperature, noise level, and seal leakage are all measured in this orientation, not translated from horizontal test data — providing genuine assurance that the unit performs correctly in service.
Material Standards
Housing: FC25 cast iron (≥250 MPa). Worm: 20CrMnTi (≥58 HRC). Wheel: ZCuSn10Pb1 tin-bronze. All materials GB/T and IEC compliant; third-party SGS/BV inspection available for grain industry and food safety certification requirements.
Why Choose Ever-power for WPZ Vertical Output Gearboxes
We supply WPZ vertical output worm gearboxes to screw conveyor builders, grain handling equipment OEMs, and vertical agitator equipment manufacturers in Japan, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and over 60 countries globally. Our understanding of the lubrication and sealing requirements specific to vertical-output gearboxes ensures every WPZ is properly validated before shipment.
- ✅ Vertical-orientation run test as standard — not a desk exercise, an actual test
- ✅ Screw conveyor application expertise — we can advise on shaft overhang loads
- ✅ Custom shaft extensions for non-standard conveyor coupling requirements
- ✅ Grain industry documentation — SGS and BV third-party inspection available
- ✅ 20+ years export record — Japan, UK, South Africa, Australia and beyond
⭐ Customer Reviews
“We use WPZ-100 units on our grain transfer auger drives. The vertical output shaft connects directly to the auger without any angle drive — exactly what we needed. The self-locking at 1/40 ratio prevents grain backflow when the motor stops. Consistent quality from Ever-power across multiple seasons of supply.”
Ben K., Equipment Engineer
Grain Handling Equipment OEM, South Australia, Australia
“We specified WPZ-80 for a vertical screw conveyor in a chemical powder plant. The compact housing fits neatly at the base of the conveyor frame and the vertical output shaft connects to the screw directly. Quiet operation and reliable performance after 18 months of continuous use.”
Kenji W., Mechanical Engineer
Conveyor Equipment Builder, Nagoya, Japan
“WPZ-120 gearboxes on our bucket elevator head drives have performed exceptionally well in a dusty outdoor environment for over two years. The sealed housing keeps contamination out, and the self-locking function is a genuine safety benefit for our bucket load holding requirements. Very satisfied.”
Andrew F., Plant Engineer
Aggregate Processing Plant, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
“Good quality WPZ units for screw conveyor drives in a gold mine ore processing plant. The vertical output design simplified our conveyor head assembly considerably. One unit had a minor cosmetic surface mark but functioned perfectly. Would specify WPZ again for conveyor projects.”
Sipho M., Technical Manager
Mining Equipment Supplier, Johannesburg, South Africa
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What size range is available for the WPZ?
The WPZ is available in sizes 50 through 135 — seven frame sizes in total. Unlike the WPA and WPS series which span sizes 40 to 250, the WPZ does not include size 40 (too small for vertical output bearing arrangement) or sizes 155–250 (larger applications typically use dedicated vertical gear drives). For vertical drive requirements above 135 mm centre distance, contact our engineers for alternative product recommendations.
How is the WPZ oil level established in the vertical-output position?
The WPZ housing has its oil fill plug on the top face (above the output shaft exit). Fill oil to the specified level marked on the housing or indicated in the installation guide — which is calibrated for the vertical-output orientation with the output shaft pointing upward. Do not use the oil level guidance for the WPA or WPS in horizontal mounting — the correct fill level for the WPZ in vertical orientation is different.
Is the WPZ output shaft pointing upward or downward?
The standard WPZ output shaft points upward — exiting through the top face of the housing with the input shaft horizontal. This is the configuration shown in the specification drawing. If your application requires a downward-pointing output shaft, please contact us: the inverse configuration is available by request and requires a specific oil fill level for the inverted orientation.
Can the WPZ be used for both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation?
Yes — the WPZ worm gear pair transmits torque in both rotational directions. The self-locking characteristic (at ratios ≥1/30) applies equally in both directions. For reversing applications (e.g. bidirectional screw conveyors), ensure the output shaft axial retention is adequate for the direction-change transient loads.
What is the maximum output torque of the WPZ size 135?
At 1500 r/min input and ratio 1/60, size 135 WPZ delivers approximately 562–696 Nm output torque (from the WP series power and torque table). For size 120 at the same conditions, output torque is approximately 355–413 Nm. For a precise torque calculation for your specific input power and ratio, contact our engineers with your motor power and required output speed.
Specify the Right Vertical Drive for Your Conveyor or Elevator
Our WPZ application engineers will confirm the correct frame size, ratio, and shaft direction for your screw conveyor, bucket elevator, or vertical agitator drive requirement. Request a free selection and quotation today.
