Disclosed, is a drive (101) for a sedimentation tank (1000) comprising a main ring gear (160) operatively connected to a cage (150) via a web portion (152). A bearing transfer ring (170) is provided to the web portion (152) such that a gap (172) is provided between the bearing transfer ring (170) and the main ring gear (160). The bearing transfer ring (170) is connected to a first bearing race (144) which communicates with a second bearing race (142) that is fastened to a base portion (136) of the drive (101). Torque (T) is delivered to the cage (150) to turn a rake assembly (1002). The gap (172) provides clearance for deflections, distortions, or deformations of the main ring gear (160) caused by bending stresses (B) in the main ring gear (160) may. The bearing transfer ring (170) absorbs stresses imparted to the main ring gear (160) and prevents fasteners (188) connected to stiff bearing races (144) from shearing. Also disclosed is a retrofit kit for a sedimentation tank drive, a sedimentation tank (1000) having a drive (101) according to the above description, and a method of thickening/clarifying slurry (1008) utilizing a drive (101) according to the above description.