In the 1930’s FRANTZ developed strong expertise in the development of overhead door componentry and built an international business manufacturing residential and commercial overhead doors. In the 1990’s FRANTZ sold its door business, but the manufacturing and engineering expertise for ball bearing sheaves, idler, pulley and guide wheels continues for rope, wire rope, cable, chain, belt, and round track applications. These components continue to be manufactured in Sterling, IL with the quality you have come to expect from FRANTZ.

This is our Ball Bearing Sheave, Idler, Pulley & Guide Wheel value to you:

• Economical
  FRANTZ Sheave products are referred to as Pressed Steel Unground Ball Bearing Sheaves. FRANTZ pressed steel sheaves have an integrated self contained bearing….i.e. the bearing is one with the sheave. Competitor designs have a core bearing separately pressed into unit, adding a potential failure point. Pressed steel sheave designs compare favorably to cast iron and machined sheave designs providing customers with excellent price/performance value.


• Low Friction
  FRANTZ Ball Bearing Sheaves are ideal in applications where a minimum amount of friction is desirable. Co-efficient of friction in non-precision bearings is lower than in precision counterparts.


• Quality Built Design for Long Life
  FRANTZ wheel products utilize Sterling^® Steel Ball quality balls. Wheel discs are riveted in place for a strong tight fit. Our sheaves and wheels are rigorously tested by our engineering staff to provide you with a peace of mind quality product that will last. Load ratings for intermittent use range from 51# to 500#’s.


• Tortoise Shell^® tough discs
  Selected sheaves, idlers, and guide wheels are Tortoise Shell^® designed to outperform under abusive conditions. FRANTZ^® Tortoise Shell^® products are case hardened, will last longer and lower the lifetime cost of your conveyor product.


• Product Options
  FRANTZ offers a full line of nearly 50 ball bearing sheaves, idlers and guide wheels. Ball bearing sheave options include round groove and flat groove for belt, chain, rope, and wire rope applications, and single flange with special mounting holes for wooden rollers, steel tubes, pipe, and various other applications. Special bore lengths and bore diameters are available upon further request. Please contact our Customer Service Representatives for further details.


• Sterling Armor^®
  For applications where corrosion is an issue, FRANTZ offers Sterling Armor^®; a special heat treating process that changes the physical microstructure within the steel surface to provide corrosion protection superior or equivalent to stainless steel in most environments. Finishes include gloss black or dull patina. Sterling Armor^® is a cost effective solution to your sheave, idler, and guide wheel corrosion challenges.

Sheave Product Categories