Conveyor working on a sunny day

Confused About Conveyor Systems and Parts? Where to Start

Conveyor systems can be an asset to any aggregate or mineral processing site, but it can be frustrating when you have an underperforming or broken system. Why wait until your conveyor system has broken down to learn about what options are available to update it?

At Kemper Equipment, we approach each conveyor system individually because they are unique to a site’s needs. Whether you are here with questions about a new conveyor for your business, updating an existing conveyor with our custom system designs, or conveyor components to fix a broken part, we can help.

What Is A Conveyor?

A conveyor system is a type of mechanical equipment that moves products from place to place. These systems move raw materials, heavy or bulky items, or small materials such as sand, allowing for the quick transport of products that may otherwise take a long time to move.

Conveyor belts offer a reduction in human labor and an increase in production, safety, and better access to job sites. Because of these benefits, conveyors have many applications in our industrialized world.

Some common types of conveyors include:

  1. Overland Conveyors – These conveyors are ideal for materials moved across vast distances or varying terrains.
  2. Radial Stackers – These conveyors are for materials that need stockpiling in one spot. For example, a radial stacker might move sand.
  3. Transfer Conveyors – Elevation changes and turns are less of an issue in your conveyor system with a transfer conveyor. These conveyors can also be used to link conveyors of different varieties.
  4. Telescopic Conveyors – Portable and convenient for operations that move between sites frequently, these conveyors are an excellent option for construction operations.
  5. Railcar and Barge Loading/Unloading Conveyors – Materials move faster thanks to pressure or vacuum technology assistance in railcar and barge loading/unloading conveyors.

We primarily work with belt conveyors because they are the most versatile within the aggregate and mineral processing industry. Still, you can see examples of other types of conveyors and systems in our conveyor project gallery.

Why Use Conveyors?

quarry conveyor system

Conveyor systems can help streamline transportation processes where hauling trucks are inconvenient. These are flexible and can also reach destinations that trucks can’t access, lowering the time required to relocate materials and increasing your production.

Kemper Equipment can customize a conveyor system to fit your business needs. Customization relies on several factors because each aggregate or mineral processing site is different, and the conveyor is just one part of the production process. You may need several aggregate conveyor systems to meet the needs of your operation.

Conveyors are more environmentally friendly than you would expect, as they cause only a minor disturbance to the land versus creating new roadways for hauling with trucks. They are also better for the safety of your crew as they offer automation for your project and limit the human labor your site requires. This automation may also have the bonus of lowering your labor costs!

What Are Some Of The Different Conveyor Components?

When working with a conveyor system, you may encounter components such as idlers, conveyor hoods, gravity takeups, impact beds, conveyor belting, belt cleaners, belt scraper blades, belt splice kits, belt scales, safety gates, walkways, and more.

Each of these conveyor parts has a specialized job that your conveyor relies on to keep working. A shutdown can happen when a component breaks, losing you time and money. Prevent a shutdown by keeping an eye on your parts and doing preventative maintenance. If you find that one of your parts has broken, you can visit our Quarry Parts e-commerce website for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Conveyors and Conveyor Parts

No two conveyor systems are exactly alike. Some common questions our clients have when caring for their conveyors include:

  1. How do I care for my conveyor system?
crew working on a conveyor system

Preventative maintenance can help keep your conveyor system running smoothly. This care doesn’t have to take a long time but will save you from costly downtime in the future. Look for debris, belt wear, misalignment, or parts that may appear to be wearing out. Knowing your machine and regularly performing these types of checks can alert you early to potential issues.

Schedule regular maintenance checks and ensure your operators have training on operation and safety compliances. Plan for emergencies and prepare for what could happen if your conveyor stops working.

Know your conveyor’s limits, and don’t try to put more weight onto the conveyor than it can handle. Our design/build services can help you determine which type of conveyor system is right for you and the amount of product you want to move.

  1. What happens if a conveyor breaks down?

When a conveyor breaks down, you may lose productivity, time, and money to a shutdown until you can get new parts in to repair the conveyor. High-quality, durable materials make up a conveyor system, but they sometimes require repairs despite regular care. Conveyor components are complex and may break down over time because of simple wear and tear or more serious issues, like improper usage.

  1. Where can I get parts for my conveyor systems?

It can be challenging to find the correct conveyor parts, but Quarry Parts makes it easy. Quarry Parts is a division of Kemper Equipment where you can find the precise conveyor parts you need. Our conveyor components are high-quality, so you can expect them to continue to last.

Kemper Equipment Knows Conveyors

Whether you are looking for an upgrade to your system or simply looking for a conveyor component, contact us for help. Our experts at Kemper Equipment will help you meet your latest project goals with our custom conveyors or find the right part for a broken system.