As a key conveying equipment in cement production processes, the reliability of the tail wheel assembly of a bucket elevator directly impacts system operational efficiency and environmental performance indicators. Conventional rolling bearings used in tail wheels are highly susceptible to failure due to dust ingress and lubrication deterioration, resulting in frequent unplanned shutdowns and elevated maintenance costs. This paper addresses the technical limitations of domestic bucket elevator tail wheel bearings, proposes a retrofit solution that incorporates a self-lubricating wear-resistant bushings and a fully sealed built-in counter weight, and systematically solves problems such as dust leakage, bearing wear, and environmental pollution by integrating an optimized built-in counterweight sealing structure. The solution has been validated through material selection, structural design, and engineering practice.Results show a significant reduction in equipment failure rates and maintenance expenses, along with marked improvement in the operating environment. This approach offers a practical and replicable solution for the modernization and reliability enhancement of bucket elevators in the cement industry.