3 Methods to Determine a Left Hand vs. Right Hand Propeller

INDCO 3 Methods to Determine a Left Hand vs. Right Hand Propeller

It can be difficult to truly determine whether your propeller is right hand or left hand, but we hope these 3 different methods clear up some of that confusion.

For some additional clarification, we’ve included this video to demonstrate the methods below.

First Method – Blade Angle on Hub

Identify the parts of your impeller – there will be 3 blades and a hub

  • 1. Place blade flat on table
  • 2. Observe the hub from a side angle to determine which way the blades are running
  • 3. If blade angle runs from top left to bottom right it is a left-hand propeller
  • 4. If blade angle runs from bottom left to top right it is a right-hand propeller

Left Hand Impeller

left hand impeller

Right Hand Impeller

right-hand-impeller

Second Method – Palm Demonstration

  • 1. Place the hub of the propeller in the palm of your hand
  • 2. Relax your thumb
  • 3. If your thumb lies comfortably on the blade in your left hand it is a left-hand propeller. You can do the same with your right-hand. If your thumb lies comfortably on the blade in your right hand it is a right hand propeller.

Third Method – Flow of Material

  • 1. With a clockwise rotating shaft a left-hand propeller will direct your material flow downward. A right-hand propeller will direct your material flow upward.
  • 2. A counterclockwise rotating shaft will produce the opposite flow results.

flow-of-material

These methods work for our square pitch and steep pitch propellers. To view the flow of material an AS Air Stirrer with a left hand and right hand propeller is used in water. A left hand propeller produces downward flow whereas a right hand propeller produces upward flow, when rotating clockwise viewed from above.

INDCO’s all-purpose mixing propellers are used for mixing, blending, agitating and liquid movement of all kinds. They are available in investment cast 316L stainless steel, roto dull or buffed #4 mirror finish, sand-cast 319 aluminum grade with dull finish and Hastelloy which provides greater corrosion resistance than stainless steel. All propellers come with set screws. Options such as clipping, cutting, pitch changes and electropolishing are also available. Contact Customer Service to learn more.

Mixing | Mixing Impellers