Experiencing trouble with your conveyor system, and don’t know where to start? Century Conveyor Systems has created this service checklist that our very own conveyor technicians use in the field to diagnose systems.
Like any machine, conveyor systems need to undergo proper maintenance and repairs to operate as efficiently as possible. Much like a car, certain components need to be routinely identified and serviced before damages or an outage occurs.
Following the maintenance checklist below at regular intervals will take you through the most common service points on a conveyor unit.
Belt
| Condition | ■ Frayed | ■ Ripped |
| Lacing | ■ Pulled-out | ■ Teeth Missing |
| Tracking | ■ Off-center | |
| Tension | ■ Too Tight | ■ Too Loose |
Drive Assembly
| Motor | ■ Noisy | ■ Overheating | |
| Reducer | ■ Leaking | ■ Low Oil Level | |
| Reducer Breather | ■ Dirty | ■ Missing | |
| Clutch | ■ Noisy | ■ Slipping | |
| Brake | ■ Noisy | ■ Slipping | |
| Wiring | ■ Damaged | ■ Exposed | |
| Chain & Sprockets | ■ Noisy | ■ Worn | ■ Alignment Off |
| Belt Drive | ■ Noisy | ■ Teeth Missing | ■ Alignment Off |
| Drive Pulley | ■ Damaged | ■ Worn Shaft | ■ Alignment Off |
| Drive Pulley Lagging | ■ Damaged | ■ Separating | ■ Alignment Off |
| Bearings | ■ Noisy | ■ Worn Grease Seals | |
| Assembly Bolts | ■ Loose | ■ Missing |
End Assembly
| Pulley | ■ Damaged | ■ Worn Shaft | ■ Alignment Off |
| Bearings | ■ Noisy | ■ Worn Grease Seals |
Take Up Assembly
| Pulley | ■ Damaged | ■ Worn Shaft | ■ Alignment Off |
| Bearings | ■ Noisy | ■ Worn Grease Seals | |
| Adjustment Bolts | ■ Noisy | ■ Worn Grease Seals |
Rollers
| Idler | ■ Noisy | ■ Missing | ■ Bent |
| Snub | ■ Noisy | ■ Damaged | |
| Pop-Out | ■ Noisy | ■ Missing | ■ Bent |
| Transition | ■ Noisy | ■ Missing | ■ Damaged |
Conveyor Bed
| Condition | ■ Damaged | ■ Holes | ■ Alignment Off |
| Supports | ■ Damaged | ■ Loose | ■ Missing |
| Transition | ■ Missing | ■ Alignment Off |
Electrical
| Conduit | ■ Damaged | ■ Loose | |
| Junction Boxes | ■ Damaged | ■ Open | ■ Missing |
| E-Stop Buttons | ■ Damaged | ■ Missing | ■ Not Functioning |
| Pull Cord Switches | ■ Damaged | ■ Not Functioning |
Extendable Conveyor
| Cam Followers | ■ Missing | ■ Loose | |
| Lifting Screws | ■ Worn Threads | ■ Not Functioning | |
| E-Stop Buttons | ■ Damaged | ■ Not Functioning | |
| Limit Switch | ■ Damaged | ■ Not Functioning |
Bonus: Maintenance Tips
Belt Repair
Frayed, torn, or worn belts can actually be repaired if the damage is not too extensive.
There are a few methods used to do this:
- Vulcanization
- Cold curing
- Metal fasteners
Overloading
Excessive load on a conveyor can place strain on components, cause belts to track unevenly, or cause motors to overheat and shut off. Ensure workers are placing items in the middle of the belt, facing straight ahead.
Structure Stress
Items may be getting jammed at a certain point in the conveyor, even when belts, rollers, pulleys, and idlers have been adjusted correctly. This may be because the conveyor bed structure itself is warped, due to excessive loading or employee error (such as leaning on conveyor support).
Check to ensure sections line up, and that there are no depressions or offsets in the side structures.
Lubrication
Chain wear without routine lubrication causes the chain to sag over time, and will not fit the sprockets. Proper usage of the recommended oil grade, per the manufacturer, or the temperature, will extend chain life.
Need help with your conveyor system? Century Conveyor Systems Inc. has over 40 years of conveyor service experience and boasts a full department of maintenance technicians and equipment experts. Learn more about our extensive capabilities at our On-site Conveyor Service page.
