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Your leading manufacturer of drive shafts and flanges - The Elbe Group.
Many well-known, globally active manufacturers have relied on our expertise for decades, particularly in military applications.
We are family-owned and place a very high priority on fair and long-term business relationships. We guarantee reliable supply chains from Europe.
Already our founder Gottlob Elbe defined the values which are still valid today at Elbe: customer focus, technical excellence and the willingness to grow with our customers’ requirements. For us these values are a guarantor for long-term and successful partnerships.
Worldwide the brand ELBE stands as much for tradition as it does for innovation.
We act consciously and responsibly. To protect the environment and to use our energy resources as effectively as possible – we take both for granted.
Security with regard to data protection and IT is important to us. Therefore, this section of our daily work has been certified, too.
To act worldwide and deliver without any loss of time – this can be realized by our status as Authorized Economic Operator (AEO-F) for customs simplifications.
Our certifications document our standards and performance.
- IATF 16949:2016 – Quality management system
- ISO 50001:2018 – Energy management system
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management system
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information security management system
- IEN 15085-2 – Welding of railway vehicles- and vehicle parts
- IEN ISO 3834-2 – Fusion welding
- TISAX Assessment
- AEO-F (Export) – Authorized Economic Operator
The Elbe-Group offers the widest variety of drive shafts on the market
We develop and produce custom-fit drive shafts for use in special vehicles – not replicas, but individually manufactured products for main and auxiliary drives. With decades of experience in the development of drive shafts for trucks, agricultural and construction machinery, rail vehicles and special vehicles, we offer you custom-fit special solutions – and support you from the initial idea through to series production.
Our product range:
- Cardan drive shafts
- Centered drive shafts
- Double joints
- Drive shafts Wing-Style
- Precision Cardan Shafts
- Cross Cardan Shafts
- Ball and Socket Shafts
- EST Sensory Drive Shaft
- Rigid Shafts and Torsion Springs
- Spiders
- Flanges for gearboxes and axles
The cardan shaft as a solution for a wide range of applications.
The drive shaft is used in a variety of applications. In vehicles, it transmits the power from the transmission to the axles and is therefore an essential component in the drivetrain that enables the vehicle to be driven. Both cardan shafts and double cardan shafts are used here. In agriculture, tractors and other agricultural equipment (e.g. combine harvesters) use the cardan shaft for the main drive and also to drive various attachments. By adapting to different angles and directions of movement, cardan shafts can significantly increase the efficiency and versatility of agricultural machinery.
The cardan shaft is also used in industrial mechanical engineering and plant construction by transmitting the movement of motors to other parts of the machine, thus ensuring the smooth operation of production lines and manufacturing plants. Thanks to its robust design and its ability to transmit large forces, the cardan shaft contributes to the efficiency and longevity of industrial systems.
The versatility of a cardan shaft is demonstrated by its numerous applications in vehicle construction, agriculture and industry. In vehicle construction, the cardan shaft is crucial for transmitting the drive power from the engine or transmission to the wheels, especially in vehicles with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. High-performance double universal joint shafts are used for steered and driven axles as well as for independent suspension. The drive shaft makes it possible to transmit power efficiently even under varying driving conditions, which is of great importance for driving stability and vehicle performance.
Advantages of a cardan shaft.
The use of a cardan shaft offers numerous advantages. The cardan shaft can transmit movements with offset at different angles. This flexibility is particularly important in applications where movements are not linear. A high-quality cardan shaft is robust and has a long service life. The use of high-quality, application-specific materials and precise manufacturing techniques ensures a long service life. In addition, the cardan shaft ensures efficient power transmission, which optimizes energy consumption. Efficient power transmission is crucial for reducing energy losses and improving the overall performance of a system.
Another advantage of the drive shaft is its ability to absorb shocks. This is particularly important in vehicles where unevenness on the road or in terrain can lead to vibrations. The drive shaft can absorb these shocks and at the same time protect other vehicle components from damage caused by impacts.
The versatility of the cardan shaft is also reflected in its adaptability to different operating conditions. It can be used in a variety of environments, from extreme temperatures to humid or dusty conditions. In particular, our robust design and the use of specific materials make the cardan shaft resistant for use in demanding environments.
In addition, a drive shaft is relatively easy to maintain and repair. The cardan shaft is designed in such a way that it can be easily dismantled and serviced if necessary. This facilitates regular inspection and maintenance, which in turn helps to extend the service life of the PTO shaft and reduce downtime.
Reliable drive shafts for special vehicles
Whether on the way in a flood zone or during rescue operations: Special vehicles must function reliably even under extreme conditions. As indispensable drive components, drive shafts play a central role in special vehicle construction: they form the direct connection between drive and axle, transmit torque, compensate for movements – and thus ensure that special vehicles can move forward safely even under full load.
Requirements and special features in special vehicle construction
Special vehicle construction requires higher standards than the classic commercial vehicle segment. This means that drive shafts for special vehicles must also be able to withstand demanding conditions and heavy loads. These include, among other things
- Tight space conditions in the drivetrain,
- high torques in a compact design,
- frequent load changes and extreme temperatures,
- long service life and
- high demands on the service life of the vehicle.
In addition, many vehicles are also equipped with auxiliary units: pumps, power generators or hydraulic systems are used wherever electrical energy or mechanical power is required on site, for example to operate lifting gear or extinguishing systems. Power is therefore transmitted via a special PTO shaft that is perfectly designed for the design, application and power requirements of the auxiliary drive.
Areas of application: Cardan shafts for military, disaster control & Co.
In vehicles for special applications such as military vehicles, drive components often have to withstand higher demands – for example when driving in rough terrain, under difficult environmental conditions, including climatic conditions, while at the same time requiring high technical availability. The selection of the right drive shaft is therefore always based on the specific vehicle type and its actual requirements profile:
Standard drive shafts: Designed for use under relatively stable operating conditions, for example with longitudinal drives in a classic drive train of a fire-fighting vehicle.
High-performance cardan shafts: Optimized for high torque peaks, changing loads and special climatic requirements – e.g. for swap bodies, all-terrain special vehicles such as wheeled armoured vehicles or for airport fire departments
Customized drive shafts: For customer- or application-specific installation situations or special vehicles with special requirements for power take-offs, we at Elbe develop tailor-made special solutions for your specific application on request.
The more specific the vehicle profile, the more individual the requirements for the drive shaft.
Do you have a technical question or are you planning a specific project? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – we look forward to hearing from you, also via our contact form Contact form | Elbe Group.
Buy Elbe drive shafts – individual solutions for special vehicles
As an experienced manufacturer of drive shafts, we have been developing and producing high-quality drive components for over 100 years – precisely tailored to your requirements. Our products are used worldwide and stand for tested quality and a long service life, even under demanding operating conditions.
Our service at a glance:
Broad product range: From proven standard universal joint shafts to individually designed custom-made products.
Tailor-made drive shafts: We can supply you with drive shafts that fit your (special) vehicle and its installation conditions exactly.
- High-quality materials: Designed for high torques, strong load changes and maximum service life.
- Fast delivery: Thanks to large stocks and optimized logistics, we deliver flexibly and on time.
- Expert advice: From selection and design to series delivery – our team will support you right from the start.
- The technical design is always based on the load spectrum of your vehicle. Our theoretical calculations are validated by test bench results to ensure operational safety even under real conditions.
