Ensuring Peak Performance: Proper Maintenance for Conveyors and Stackers

Maintaining conveyors and stackers properly is essential to keeping your equipment operating at peak efficiency. Regular maintenance maximizes production, minimizes downtime, and keeps overall operating costs low. A well-maintained conveyor system ensures smooth operation, reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, and extends the lifespan of your equipment.

Establish a Routine Maintenance Schedule

To ensure optimal performance, establish a planned maintenance schedule that includes detailed records. Your maintenance routine should involve daily inspections, lubrication, cleaning, and necessary adjustments. Key tasks include:

• Daily Inspections: Examine the belt and components for any signs of wear or misalignment.
• Lubrication: Keep parts properly lubricated to reduce friction and wear.
• Cleaning: Remove any material buildup from the machine to prevent strain on components.
• Alignment Checks: Confirm that idlers and return rollers are making proper contact with the belt and are free to run under load.

Skipping or neglecting regular maintenance can lead to excessive wear and tear, shortening the life of your equipment. Don’t let conveyor maintenance become the weak link in your operation.

Prioritize Safety First

Before beginning any maintenance or service, it is crucial to ensure the equipment is shut down, emptied, and locked out. This step not only protects workers but also ensures that the conveyor is free of material, allowing for thorough inspection and repairs.

Inspect the Conveyor for Wear and Tear

Start by inspecting the belt and splices for any visible wear, tears, or adhesions to the belt carcass. Any damage should be repaired promptly, either through hot vulcanizing or mechanical methods, to prevent further deterioration and contamination of processed material.

Additionally, check for material buildup on the tail pulley and ensure the head pulley is clean. Inspect the lagging on the head pulley and replace it if it appears worn, smooth, or hard. Examine pulleys and idlers for buildup and inspect all scrapers, plows, and self-aligning trainers to ensure they’re functioning correctly. It’s also important to inspect the primary and secondary loading areas, skirting, and impact beds for any issues that could damage the belt or cause tracking problems.

Run and Check the Conveyor

After completing maintenance, walk the entire conveyor system with the belt running empty to check for any tracking issues. However, it’s wise to repeat the process with a loaded belt since an empty belt may not perform the same way once under load.

While the conveyor is loaded and running, ensure that pulleys and idlers are turning freely without unusual bearing noise, the belt is tracking properly, and there is no material buildup on the return side. Check for slippage on the head pulley and ensure that scrapers and plows are functioning as intended.

Reliable Performance You Can Count On

Once the conveyor frame, components, and belt have been inspected, cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted, your system is ready to deliver reliable performance and dependability. Proper maintenance will ensure that your conveyor system provides long-lasting, efficient service, supporting the productivity of your operation.

Partner with ELRUS for dependable maintenance advice and support, and keep your conveyors running smoothly for years to come.