Overhung Load Calculator

Inputs

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Load source

Calculate radial load from torque and pitch diameter, or enter a known radial load directly.

Shaft torque (T)

Torque at the mounted pulley, sprocket, pinion or gear.

N·m

Pitch diameter (D)

Pitch diameter of the sprocket, pulley, pinion or gear. Use pitch diameter, not outside diameter.

Transmission factor (K)

Drive connection factor. Typical starting values: 1.0 chain/synchronous belt, 1.25 pinion or gear, 1.5 V-belt, 2.5 flat belt.

Load factor (LF)

Multiplier for shock, vibration and uncertain service. Use 1.0 if the entered force is already a design load.

Bearing span (L)

Distance between bearing reaction centers A and B.

Load position from A (x)

Distance from bearing A to the pulley/sprocket/gear load center. Enter a negative value if the load is left of bearing A; enter greater than L if it overhangs past bearing B.

Results

Default result

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Max bearing radial load(Fr,max)

5,333.3N

Pass

5.333 kN · 1,199 lbf

Largest bearing reaction; load is outside the bearing span.

Largest absolute reaction at bearing A or B.

Also computed

Radial shaft load(F)4,166.7N

4.167 kN · 936.7 lbf

From 2*T*K/D*LF, or known radial load times LF.

Reaction at bearing A(RA)−1,166.7N

−1.167 kN · −262.3 lbf

Signed reaction. Negative means opposite radial direction.

Reaction at bearing B(RB)5,333.3N

5.333 kN · 1,199 lbf

Signed reaction. Negative means opposite radial direction.

Peak bending moment(Mmax)291.67N·m

Use this as the bending-moment input for shaft sizing.

Critical section from A(xM)250mm

Bearing A, bearing B, or the load point depending on position.

Overhang distance(e)70mm

Zero when the load lies between the bearings.

Method notes 4 notes

Radial shaft load is F = (2*T/D)*K*LF, where K is the transmission factor and LF is the load factor.
Bearing reactions use static equilibrium for two simple supports: RB = F*x/L and RA = F - RB. Positions outside the span naturally create a negative reaction at the opposite bearing.
Peak bending moment is reported in torque units so it can feed the shaft diameter calculator as the bending moment.
This is a single-plane radial-load model. Combine horizontal/vertical planes by vector sum, and handle axial thrust with bearing catalog factors or a locating-bearing arrangement.