Turntable Sizing Calculator

Total System Load adds an estimated platform weight (roughly 25 lb per square foot of steel platform, sized 6 inches larger than your Load Diameter) on top of your entered Load Weight, since the turntable's drive and bearings have to support the platform itself as well as whatever sits on it. The recommended Turntable Capacity is the smallest standard size at or above that combined total, not just your raw load weight.

No. Turntable Capacity and Total System Load depend only on Load Weight and Load Diameter (through the platform's own weight), not on Rotation Speed. Rotation Speed instead affects Motor (HP) -- a faster required spin needs more drive power for the same total load, but doesn't change how much weight the platform and bearings need to support.

Duty Classification is based on Cycles per Hour, not load or speed, and reflects wear and duty-cycle considerations that a simple horsepower estimate doesn't capture -- a turntable running 40 cycles per hour (Heavy) needs heavier-duty bearings, drive components, and maintenance planning than one running 5 cycles per hour (Light) even at an identical load and Motor (HP) figure, because it accumulates far more operating wear over its service life.

This calculator estimates required torque as a simplified friction factor (5% of Total System Load) acting at the platform edge, then converts that torque at your Rotation Speed into horsepower using the standard HP = RPM x torque / 5,252 relationship. It's a planning-level estimate rather than a full mechanical design calculation -- always confirm final motor selection against the specific turntable manufacturer's engineering specifications.