The pattern of material throw in the three types of elevator is illustrated in figures alongside.

Centrifugal Discharge :

Is the most common type, as the design is the most economical. Elevator runs at a high speed of about 1.3 m/sec. and the material is thrown out by centrifugal force.

Positive Discharge :

These elevators are used where the material is either sticky or light and fluffy. The buckets after passing over the head sprocket are inverted over the idler sprocket, thus providing a positive discharge of material. The speeds for this elevator are lower at about 0.6 m/sec. Further as the buckets are to be inverted over the idler sprocket, these bucket elevators have to be of double chain design, as the bucket are held in between two chains.

Continuous Discharge :

These elevators are necessary when the material conveyed is to be handled carefully and not damaged in anyway during handling. In this type of elevator, the buckets are spaced continuously and are loaded by direct feeding as against to direct feeding as well as scooping of material from the bottom boot in case of centrifugal or positive discharge elevators. And because the incoming material is not scooped, damage to the same is avoided. Spillage between buckets is prevented by their close spacing. Further the geometry of the buckets is such that, as the buckets discharge, the material flows over the preceeding bucket, whose front end and projecting sides form a chute to the discharge spout. These elevators also normally operate at a slow speed of about 0.6 m/sec.