Shaft Mounted Gearboxes – Compact Drive Solutions for Direct Mounting

Shaft mounted gearboxes are a special type of gear unit that can be directly mounted onto the driven shaft without the need for additional couplings or alignment tools. This design makes them particularly space-saving, easy to install, and ideal for various industrial applications where robust and low-maintenance solutions are required. In this article, you’ll learn how shaft mounted gearboxes work, what advantages they offer, and where they are typically used.

What is a Shaft Mounted Gearbox?

A shaft mounted gearbox – often referred to as a parallel shaft gearbox with hollow output shaft – is a gear unit that slips directly over the driven machine’s shaft. A torque arm or reaction arm is usually used to prevent the gearbox from rotating around the shaft during operation.

This type of gearbox eliminates the need for baseplates, couplings, or shaft alignment, which saves time during installation and reduces cost and complexity.

How Does a Shaft Mounted Gearbox Work?

Shaft mounted gearboxes use parallel helical gears to transfer torque from the input motor to the output shaft. The gear ratio is determined by the number of gear stages and the number of teeth in each stage.

Key characteristics include:

Hollow output shaft, designed to slide onto a solid driven shaft

Keyway or shrink disc connection for secure torque transmission

Torque arm to fix the housing and absorb reaction forces

Optional motor flange or integrated motor

Advantages of Shaft Mounted Gearboxes

1. Easy Installation

No baseplates or alignment necessary – simply mount onto the driven shaft.

2. Compact Design

Because the gearbox mounts directly onto the shaft, the overall footprint is minimal.

3. High Efficiency

Helical gears ensure smooth, low-loss power transmission.

4. Cost-Effective

Reduced installation time and fewer components result in lower total cost of ownership.

5. Robust and Low Maintenance

Designed for industrial use, many models are grease- or oil-lubricated for long service life.

6. Flexible Mounting Options

Available with torque arms, flange mounts, or foot mounts for different configurations.

Typical Applications

Shaft mounted gearboxes are widely used in:

Conveyor systems (belt conveyors, screw conveyors, chain conveyors)

Bulk material handling (quarries, cement, mining)

Mixers and agitators

Crushers and screening systems

Agricultural and food processing machinery

Automated production lines

Materials and Protection Classes

Depending on the application, the gearbox housing may be made of:

Cast iron for high strength and vibration damping

Aluminum for lightweight, corrosion-resistant applications

Stainless steel for hygienic or washdown environments

Typical protection classes range from IP54 to IP66, with options for harsh or dusty environments.

Shaft Mounted Gearboxes by Rehfuss Drive Solutions

Rehfuss offers robust and efficient shaft mounted gearboxes for industrial use. Our gearboxes are available with:

Hollow shaft with keyway or shrink disc

IEC motor mounting or integrated motors

Optional torque arms and flange mounts

Various gear ratios and sizes

Solutions for hygienic, ATEX, or outdoor environments

Buy shaft mounted gearboxes now

Looking for reliable, compact and efficient power transmission? Rehfuss provides high-quality shaft mounted gearboxes for demanding industrial applications.
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