Let’s face it. No one wants down time due to a conveyor belt breaking or malfunctioning. Such delays cost valuable production time, resources and, yes, money.

As with any equipment, however, it is possible to avoid major complications by routinely checking and maintaining your conveyor belts. 

Following are some common problems with conveyor belts and possible solutions:

1. Excessive Wear Across Entire Belt –  If wear is even and widespread, then the likelihood is the belt is unsuitable for the application. You may need a stronger belt, or one made of textured material. 

2. Edge Wear – Edge wear indicates uneven tension along the belt system. The belt may need to be realigned or retracked. 

3. Belt Falls Off At Head or Tail Pulley – If the belt is loosening at either of the pulleys, the problem may be build up on the pulleys or belt system. This could also indicate improper loading of the belt. Clean, and reevaluate loading procedures. 

4. Belt Slips At Start-Up or When Conveyor is Running – If the belt is shifting in any way, this may indicate insufficient traction between the belt and pulley or build up of some sort. Readjust tension. Examine pulleys to see if there is any build-up, and clean, if necessary. 

5.  Belt is Cracking, Hardening or Swelling in Certain Areas – If you’re seeing physical changes in the conveyor belt, chances are you have heat or chemical damage.  Reexamine the belt application and consider using a different, more appropriate belt, or impose stricter clean-up standards. 

Though common, the above, of course, are just a few of the problems one can encounter with a conveyor belt. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to consult the original manufacturer of the conveyor belt if any trouble arises.

Posted on behalf of the King Group