Abstract: A crucible of a converter is mounted to a pair of supports and releasably coupled to a tilt drive. Secured to each of the supports is a bearing assembly within which a crucible trunnion is journalled. A slidable coupling shaft interconnects an internally toothed output gear of the tilt drive and an internally toothed gear fixed to one of the trunnions. The coupling shaft includes a spur gear adjacent each of its ends. One coupling gear engages the trunnion internal gear while the other engages the tilt drive internal gear. The peripheral surface of each coupling gear comprises a spherical segment to provide an articulated connection for accommodating axial misalignment between the trunnion and the tilt drive internal gears. To disconnect the crucible from the tilt drive, the coupling shaft is displaced axially away from the trunnion until the spherical segment gear disengages the trunnion gear. The coupling shaft includes a spindle coaxially mounted to its tilt drive end.