Table of Contents
Introduction
When operating a belted conveyor system, the main belt and rollers are only part of the equation. Accessories such as cleaners, scrapers, guards, and tracking devices significantly impact reliability, efficiency, and safety. Whether you’re in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or production, investing in the right conveyor accessories boosts uptime, reduces maintenance, and protects workers.
Essential accessories that boost conveyor performance
Belt tracking devices
A top accessory for any belted conveyor is a tracking device that keeps the belt aligned. Misalignment can lead to edge wear, frame damage, and safety hazards. Automatic trackers use sensors and pneumatic or screw adjustments to maintain proper belt position.
Belt scrapers and cleaners
Removing debris and adhesive residue from the belt surface prevents carryback and buildup. Primary scrapers at the head pulley, secondary scrapers mid-table, and even return-side cleaners help maintain cleanliness, reduce maintenance needs, and extend belt life.
Impact beds and idlers
For drop zones where material hits the belt (feed hoppers, loading chutes), impact accessories like vulcanized impact beds or heavy-duty idlers minimize belt damage and extend the life of belted conveyor installations.
Belt scales and weight detectors
Weighing material in motion helps manage throughput and detect blockages. Sidewall-chute mounted belt scales provide feedback for process control, inventory tracking, or overload prevention.
Guards, rails, and containment
Sidewalls, skirts, and guide rails contain material flow, prevent spillage, and keep operators safe. Installing skirt boards and end-wall guards reduces edge scuffing and helps keep production areas clean.
Dust suppression systems
In dusty environments, misting units, filter socks, or vacuum attachments prevent airborne dust, improving workplace safety and complying with health guidelines.
Mobile tensioners and take-up equipment
Maintaining proper belt tension ensures consistent tracking and avoids slippage. Mobile tensioners allow easy adjustment without major downtime when reloading or replacing belt sections.
How accessories improve health, safety, and efficiency of a belted conveyor
| Accessory Type | Key Benefit | Improves |
|---|---|---|
| Belt Tracker | Aligns belt automatically | Prevents spillage and edge wear |
| Belt Scraper/Cleaner | Removes sticky or wet residue | Reduces belt slippage |
| Impact Bed / Heavy Idler | Cushions drop from loading points | Protects belt and rollers |
| Belt Scale / Weigher | Measures in-motion load | Controls throughput, prevents overload |
| Skirts & Guards | Contain material in transit | Cleaner work areas, less wear |
| Dust Suppression Systems | Controls particulate discharge | Safety in dusty environments |
| Tensioner / Take-up Device | Maintains proper belt tension | Reduces slippage, improves tracking |
In field studies across material-handling operations, downtime due to belt misalignment or material buildup dropped by more than 30% when these accessories were installed.
Selecting accessories based on conveyor operation type
High-speed distribution and packaging
In fast-moving conveyor lines, belt tracking and return scrapers are essential to prevent misalignment and carryback that slow throughput and require frequent shutdowns.
Bulk material handling and heavy loading
Feeding hoppers or transfer points require impact protection, heavy idlers, and belt repair accessories—impact beds avoid percussive damage, prolonging belted conveyor lifespan.
Food, pharmaceutical, or clean-room environments
Sanitary slider beds, non-metallic scraper blades, dust suppression, and enclosed guards ensure cleanliness and prevent contamination—meeting regulatory and hygiene standards.
Outdoor or dusty environments
Cloth curtains, filter socks, and scrub-through idlers reduce dust. Waterproof skirt seals and closed enclosing rails help minimize exposure to elements on outdoor sections.
Installation best practices for belt accessories
Installing accessories correctly is critical:
- Plan early during conveyor design—leave space and mounting points for scrapers, scale brackets, and take-up units.
- Set tracking devices close to head pulley to correct misalignment early.
- Install belt scrapers at shallow angles with tension-adjustable mounting for blade wear compensation.
- Use full-width impact beds to support material loading zones without roller gaps.
- Mount skirt boards in tapered zones to minimize friction and seal gaps without forcing excessive side pressure.
- Ensure tensioners are accessible for easy adjustment after belt splices or replacement.
Proper installation reduces friction, wear, and energy use—improving service life and lowering cost per ton conveyed.
Maintenance routines for conveyor accessories
To keep accessories effective:
- Check belt cleaning blades weekly; replace worn or cracked scrapers
- Inspect tracking sensors and auto-adjust mechanisms every 500 operational hours
- Clean skirt board faces and seals monthly to remove stuck buildup
- Monitor impact bed and idler wear zones quarterly; replace worn rollers proactively
- Calibrate belt scales annually to ensure accurate throughput measurements
Maintenance logs show that well-maintained accessories improve uptime by 25% and reduce overall repair cost by nearly 15%.
Cost vs. return on investment for key accessories
Accessories may represent only 5–10% of overall conveyor cost, but yield substantial savings:
- Reduced downtime due to misalignment
- Extended belt life (10–20%)
- Lower cleaning and replacement frequency
- Improved safety reducing hazard and cleanup costs
In one industry case, a large distribution operation reported a return on accessory investment within six months—primarily through avoided labor spend and downtime.
Troubleshooting accessory-related issues
Belt still wandering: tracking ineffective
– Check sensor alignment, verify pulley squareness, adjust tension device range.
Sticky carryback despite scraper install
– Inspect blade wear, blade angle, and material compatibility. Sometimes sequential scrapers on head and return sides are needed.
Excess dust or particulate escape
– Add secondary skirt board or dust sock; calibrate mist nozzles or reevaluate enclosure sealing.
Scale readings drift or fail
– Calibrate sensor electronics; inspect belt flatness and vertical curve; verify belt speed inputs.
In each case, preventive inspection and calibration keep conveyor performance stable.
Conclusion
Accessories are the unsung heroes of conveyor systems. Whether you’re cleaning away residue, preventing belt drift, absorbing impact shock, measuring material throughput, or containing dust, the right set of parts turns a basic belted conveyor into a robust, low-maintenance system.
Choosing accessories based on your operational needs—and maintaining them regularly—improves uptime, protects assets, and ensures worker safety. For tailored accessory selection, installation support, or preventive maintenance planning, contact us today. Our team can help you design or retrofit accessories for seamless conveyor operation.
FAQ
What accessories are most important for a belted conveyor?
Key accessories include belt trackers, scrapers, impact beds, and skirting—these prevent misalignment, spillage, and wear.
How much does installing accessories cost?
Accessories typically add about 5–10% to total conveyor cost but may pay for themselves within six months through reduced downtime and maintenance.
How often should scraper blades be changed?
Inspect scraper blades weekly; replace blades with visible wear or cracking immediately to maintain performance.
Can I retrofit accessories to an existing conveyor?
Yes—most belt tracking devices, scrapers, and skirts can be retrofitted. Installation space and mounting method should be reviewed first.
Do belt scales require calibration?
Yes, at least once a year—and after any belt change or speed adjustment—to ensure accurate throughput data.