Horsepower Calculator
Estimate the minimum horsepower required at a conveyor's headshaft using conveyor length, belt width, vertical lift and belt capacity.
Conveyor Specifications
Choose values from the Field Guide's published calculation tables.
Your Power Requirements
Preliminary headshaft horsepower estimate based on the selected inputs.
Calculated headshaft horsepower, including a 10% allowance.
Horsepower Breakdown
Engineering Notes
Preliminary backstop indication: —. This is a preliminary indication based on Superior engineering data.
Calculation Assumptions
- Conveyor length is the actual pulley center-to-center distance.
- Minimum headshaft horsepower is calculated as X + Y + Z.
- X represents horsepower to move the empty conveyor; Y represents horsepower to move material horizontally; Z represents horsepower to lift material vertically.
- A 10% friction allowance is added to the calculated minimum horsepower.
- The preliminary backstop indication compares Z with one-half of the rounded combined X + Y value, using Superior engineering data.
Intended Use and Limitations
Results are intended for simplified preliminary calculations within the available input ranges. This calculator is not a complete CEMA Universal Method analysis and does not select motors, reducers, belts, pulleys or electrical components. Final drive-system design and backstop selection require engineering review.
Engineering Source
CEMA, Belt Conveyors for Bulk Materials, 7th Edition, Second Printing, Chapter 6, pp. 134–267; Appendix C, pp. 759–770. The simplified X/Y/Z lookup workflow is based on Superior engineering data.
A QUICK NOTE: These calculators give estimates based on the information you enter and are meant as a helpful starting point. Actual results can vary with your equipment, materials, and site conditions. Please don't rely on these numbers alone for purchasing, design, or safety decisions. Our team is happy to help you confirm your specifics. Superior Industries isn't liable for decisions made using these results.
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