Installing conveyor belts

Elastomers Compounding Processing

Standards /norms Equations Steel cords Inches / mm US dimensions Papers

Handling/Storage Reel dimensions Stringing Textile belt splices Textile belt splicing Steel cord belt splices Steel cord belt splicing Splice testing

First belt Strongest belt Strongest underground belt Highest capacity belt Longest belt Heaviest belt First self-extinguishing belt

Belt designation Carcass types Cover grades Elastomers Glossary of terms

Rip detection Splice length monitoring Opto-electronic monitoring Conveyor safety devices

Closed conveyor belts Energy saving belts Aramid belts

INSTALLATION

HANDLING & STORAGE - CONVEYOR BELTS

Conveyor belts represent a large capital expenditure. Conveyor belt users can avoid downtime, repair or premature belt wear by proper maintenance.

Firstly, move the belts by hoisting not rolling. If you roll a small belt, do it in the direction the belt is wound.
A transverse spreader bar is recommended for larger belt rolls in order to hold the lifting chains or cables away from the belt edges.

Careless handling with a forklift can cause damage by rubbing against the forks.
When moving a conveyor belt, it should first be placed on a pallet.
With the forks under the pallet, the belt can be lifted and moved without problems.

When a heavy roll of belting is lifted with only the forks under the roll, the width of the belt tends to make it sag over the forks' edges, causing unnecessary abrasion damage. There also is the risk of gouging or cutting as the forks are moved under the belt.

If the belt is stored for a long time (a year or more), it should be kept on the supplier's steel or timber reel, or hung into an A-frame, or placed on a pallet.
In any case the storage ground must be even and free from stones etc.
Further protection is usually not necessary for first class belts, which are resistant against environmental influences.

Some guideline is given in ISO 5285.

HANDLING & STORAGE - SPLICING MATERIAL

Splice and repair material has a limited shelf life, because it is unvulcanized.
It is essential to transport and store the splice and repair material under specific conditions.

During the transportation of the material from the manufacturer to the site and at the site it has to be kept at a temperature between 5 - 18 °C. The best way of storage is in a refrigerated chamber at a temperature of approximately 4°C.

The material must not be exposed to direct sunlight and has to be kept indoors and dry.

Before the use of the splice or repair material it has to be checked whether it is still usable.

Bear in mind that the splice is the weakest point in a conveyor belt and fresh splice material is of high importance!