Tips to Make Your Conveyor Belt Last Longer
It’s not uncommon for recycle facility owners to ignore their conveyor belt system. It’s often taken for granted as it’s considered a simple machine. Most people are under the impression that these belts don’t need as much care and maintenance as balers and other such complex machines do. However, that’s not the case.
Conveyer belts are made up of moving parts and it’s essential to maintain them properly to ensure that friction doesn’t damage the system in any way. If you want your conveyer belt system to last for a long time, you need to take care of it. Here are some suggestions that will help you maintain the system well and keep it in top shape.
Daily Inspections
If you want to keep your conveyer belt system functional and efficient, you need to carry out day-to-day maintenance. This process isn’t complicated or time-consuming. All you need to do is walk by the system, look at all aspects carefully, and listen for any odd noises or rattles.
These are all signs that the system isn’t functioning well or something is trapped in it. You should keep an eye out for oil drops or belt shavings as they are indications of a worn out or stressed conveyer system. This essential preventive maintenance could save you a lot of trouble in the future.
Loads
An overloaded conveyer is never a good thing. Too much weight might cause the belt to sink in a little and add strain to the system. You should carefully study the operator’s manual and get as much information as you can from the OEM or the manufacturer about conveyable loads. If you place only acceptable loads on the conveyer belt, you’ll be able to extend the life of the machine.
Slowing Down the Conveyor Belt
Sometimes you may have too much of a load to tackle and want to get through it as quickly as possible. In such a situation, you can run the conveyor pulley or belt at its speed to get through the load quickly. However, if you don’t have much of a load to do, you should consider running the belt as slowly as you can.
This will relieve stress from the system and extend the life of the machine. As we mentioned before, the conveyer belt system is made up of moving parts. If it runs at high speeds for long periods of time, the parts will wear down more quickly.
Address Damage Immediately
It’s vital to fix any damage or problems in conveyor motors immediately. You shouldn’t use the belt until the problem is addressed and repaired. If you don’t do this, you can damage the system further and that could only cost you more money in repairs and replacements. If you see parts that look worn out and at the end of their life, replace them with OEM parts promptly.
Training
Your operators inspect and work with the conveyer belt system daily. If you don’t train them properly, they won’t be able to spot any problem signs or operate the belt safely. You need to make sure that all your operators are familiar with the inspection routine and safe operating procedures mandated by the manufacturers. You should also make sure that they’re supervised for the first few weeks on the job.
The supervisor will provide hands-on training and ensure that your equipment works well. The best way to make your conveyer belt last longer is to perform regular scheduled maintenance. This will help you spot and address problems early and ensure that your conveyor system runs smoothly for a long time.
