Our Unique Drive System

From Power To Speed: Inside Our Unique Drive Systems

At Gopher Targets, we believe in keeping things simple, reliable, and built to perform. One of the most innovative features of our retrieval systems is our drive gear—that combines smart mechanical design with rugged components to move your target efficiently, without the use of motors.

At the heart of the system is a planetary gear that delivers a 4:1 mechanical advantage. This means that for every full turn of the crank handle, the outer pulley causes the target shuttle to travels up to six feet forward or backward along your shooting lane. That’s fast, smooth and responsive control—beneficial to both short and long ranges.

Below is a short animation showing how the components of a planetary gear set interact:

The crank handle connects to the planetary carrier shaft (green). When turned, the central sun gear shaft (gold) is rotated by the planetary gears (blue). The sun gear is connected to the outer pulley, causing the target shuttle to move down range - either by paracord (Original System) or a drive belt system (Xtreme System).

Our custom-built, waterproof planetary gear set turns input torque into output speed - while delivering smooth, continuous movement. Mounted inline with the hand crank, it enables shooters to quickly send a target downrange and retrieve it with minimal effort. We engineered two systems to suit the different range lengths we support:

The Original System – Direct Pulley Drive

Ideal for shorter distances, our Original System is designed to handle the horizontal load of the target shuttle directly through the pulley system. The drive cord wraps around the exterior pulley-ring of the planetary gear, which in turn rotates as you crank the handle. This setup transmits motion directly to the target shuttle, moving it quickly and reliably.

The Xtreme System – Belt-Driven for Longer Runs

For longer lanes or heavier-duty applications, our Xtreme System incorporates additional reinforcement and drive mechanics. In this setup, the planetary gear pulley turns a drive belt, which transfers motion to a double-idler pulley assembly. This component takes on the higher load stress, managing shuttle movement more effectively over 100-yard range lengths. The belt-driven system provides for gear longevity—especially where these higher horizontal forces are pulling against the transmission.

As you're planning the automation of your existing range or constructing a new one, our retrieval system drive units are engineered to give you years of rugged performance with zero electric power requirements.

If you have any questions, reach out to sales@gophertargets.com