Elliott Manufacturing | Construction

CONSTRUCTION

Choose our dependable and durable flex shafts for a range of construction tools and equipment.

Our Products

FLEXIBLE SHAFTS

Elliott’s dependable and durable flexible shafts are used in all types of construction tools and equipment, including concrete vibrators, power screeds and trowels, as well as mini excavators and compact track loaders.

You’ll find our flex shafts will effectively and reliably transmit power to a driven element that must move during operation for a high degree of freedom in the location of drive sources.

Flex shafts are available in a broad range of materials, core constructions and sizes. Elliott also can design and produce complex parts, including unique interface designs.

Why choose an Elliott design?

Elliott offers a broad range of flex shaft materials for your construction equipment, including core constructions and sizes.

We also offer a new thermoplastic elastomer casing for enhanced grip, easy cleanup, increased abrasion resistance, improved ozone, UV and temperature resistance, and easier manipulation and reduced operator fatigue.

Elliott has extensive engineering expertise, from concept, design and development (life, performance and validation testing) to the ability to design and produce complex parts, including unique interface designs. We offer a broad range of materials, core constructions and sizes.

With more than 75 years of industry experience, you can depend on Elliott for established performance and reliability. We are a leader in innovative, technological advancements to optimize efficient performance, including materials, methods, coatings, lubricants, tribology and interfaces, plus we are ISO and AS9000 certified.

Customer Resources

Flex Shafts In Action

Flex Shafts In Action

Elliott’s dependable flexible shafts are used in a range of construction tools, especially concrete vibrators, which rely on flexible shafts to deliver torque to the vibrating head inside a concrete form. Our products will solve your power transmission problems when direct alignment is an issue.

Flexible shaft design solutions guide

Flexible shaft design solutions guide

Reduce your design time and safely lower your assembly and maintenance costs without the use of exposed universal joints, gears, pulleys or couplings. Consider Elliott flexible shafts early in your design process to take full advantage of our ability to solve demanding drive problems efficiently and economically. Review our solutions guide.

FAQs

Visit our FAQ page to learn more.

What is a flex shaft?

A flex shaft is a complete mechanism capable of transmitting rotary power or motion between two points that need not be co-linear. Flex shafts are available in a wide range of configurations and materials to meet your needs. Flex shafts are very durable and can operate in demanding environments, even if continuous operation at very high speed is required. There are two primary types of flex shafts:

  • Power drive: Designed for continuous operation at speeds exceeding 100 RPM where torque is carried in one direction of rotation. It may also be used where intermittent operation is an application requirement.
  • Remote control: Designed for intermittent operation at speeds of 100 RPM or less. Remote Control Flex Shafts generally handle higher torque loads than Power Drive Flex Shafts and can rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise without adverse effects.
What are the parts of a flex shaft?

Generally, a flex shaft is made up of the following:

  • Core: Wire wound in layers in opposing directions around a center wire.
  • Casing: Flexible conduit that supports the core during operation. Many of Elliott’s flex shafts come with a casing comprised of a steel liner, steel and cloth reinforcing braids and an elastomer cover.
  • Motor connection: This is what attaches the flex shaft to a power source. There are many different motor connections ranging from the simple single fitting to a more complex multi-faceted system.
  • Fitting: A core fitting is attached directly to the core to mate to the power source.
  • Ferrule: A ferrule attaches to the casing to support it in a uniform bend and to keep it from rotating.

Some systems will have each of these components while others may only have a few.

Would a flex shaft work in my system?

We can help you determine if the torque, speed and environment of your application are appropriate for a flex shaft. Visit our Markets pages to learn more about how our products are used.

What should I know before speaking to an application engineer?

Our Core Specifications is a good place to start. You should know the power you need to transmit, operating speed, direction of rotation, minimum bend radius and torsional deflection. We can figure it out for you if you need help.

Contact Elliott

Can’t find the answer to your question or need more detail? Elliott’s customer service team is here to support you. Please contact us for assistance.