Taper Lock Bushes

Taper Lock Bushes for Australian Power Transmission

Taper Lock bushes are the standardised tapered locking bushes used to mount pulleys, sprockets, couplings, and other transmission components onto shafts without the keying, drilling, or set-screw work other mounting systems require. The Taper Lock standard (originally Fenner-Mannesmann) is the dominant interchange standard in Australian power transmission — meaning Taper Lock bushes from various manufacturers fit Taper Lock-bored components from various manufacturers. AIMS Industrial supplies Taper Lock bushes in standard metric and imperial bore sizes for trade and industrial use.

How Taper Lock bushes work

The bush is a sleeve with a tapered outside surface and a slit cut along its length. It slides onto the shaft, the driven component (with matching tapered bore) fits over the bush, and tightening clamping screws draws the bush taper home — clamping the component to the shaft through the high-friction grip the taper develops. The split allows the bush to compress as the taper draws home, locking the component to the shaft. Loosening the screws releases the taper and the component slides off cleanly.

Why Taper Lock

• No keyways required — the bush grips by friction, so the shaft doesn't need a cut keyway
• Concentric mounting — symmetric clamping pulls the component true, reducing runout and vibration
• Fast install and removal — important on production lines where downtime is expensive
• Reusable — bush can be removed and refitted multiple times without damaging the shaft
• Adjustable axial position — component can be positioned anywhere along the shaft within the bush's reach
• Industry-standard interchange — Taper Lock from one manufacturer fits Taper Lock components from another

The Taper Lock series

Taper Lock bushes come in standardised series identified by a designation like "1108" or "2517". The number relates to the bush's outside diameter and length:

• 1008, 1108, 1210 — small series for fractional-power and small industrial drives
• 1610, 1615, 2012, 2017, 2517, 2525 — medium series for general industrial drives
• 3020, 3030, 3525, 3535, 4040, 4545, 5050 — large series for heavy industrial drives

Within each series, bores are available in metric (e.g. 25mm, 30mm, 35mm) and imperial (e.g. 1 inch, 1-1/4 inch) sizes. The component (pulley, sprocket, etc.) determines the series; the shaft determines the bore.

Where Taper Lock bushes earn their place

• V-belt and Micro-V drives — pulleys mounted to shafts with Taper Lock
• Roller chain drives — sprockets with Taper Lock bores
• Polychain and timing belt drives — synchronous pulleys with Taper Lock
• Shaft couplings — flexible and rigid couplings with Taper Lock bores
• Industrial drive systems generally — the dominant shaft-mounting standard for industrial power transmission

Installation

Clean the shaft and bush bore — any oil or burrs spoil the friction grip. Slide the bush onto the shaft, fit the driven component over the bush, and start the clamping screws by hand. Tighten the screws progressively in a cross pattern (like a wheel nut sequence) to draw the taper home evenly. Final torque is specified by the bush series and is worth checking with a torque wrench — uneven tightening causes runout. To remove, back off the clamping screws; if the bush won't release, the screws often have a removal position threaded into the bush face.

Common pitfalls

Most Taper Lock failures come down to dirty shafts, mismatched components, or under-torqued screws. A bush that slips on a shaft has either inadequate friction (clean and re-fit) or has been over-loaded for its rating. Always confirm the series matches the component before assembly — a 1610 bush won't fit a 2012 sprocket.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Taper Lock bushes are stocked from quality power transmission brands. The interchange standard means brand mixing within an assembly is acceptable — Taper Lock from any compliant manufacturer fits Taper Lock components from any other.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Taper Lock bushes sit alongside our broader power transmission range — see Mi-Lock bushes, shaft collars, narrow section cogged belts, and roller chain for the related products.

Need help matching Taper Lock bushes to specific components or shaft sizes? contact our team — we'll work through series, bore, and installation.