Engineer Insight #2

Engineer Insight: How Belt Tracking and Skirting Affect Conveyor Performance

When it comes to keeping conveyors running efficiently, there are several areas that can have a direct impact on machine performance. Two of the most important and often overlooked, are belt tracking and skirting.

As engineers working closely with customers and machinery across a range of applications, we regularly see how small conveyor issues can develop into bigger problems if they are not addressed early. A belt that is not tracking correctly or skirting that is not set up properly can affect material flow, increase wear and lead to unnecessary downtime.

Why Correct Belt Tracking Matters

The belt needs to remain correctly aligned as it travels along the conveyor frame. When a belt starts to track to one side, it can cause uneven wear and place additional stress on components such as rollers, bearings, the belt and even the conveyor frame itself.

There are several reasons why a belt may begin to track incorrectly. Uneven loading, material build-up, incorrect belt tension, worn or seized rollers and misaligned components can all alter the path the belt naturally follows.

A belt that continually runs off-centre can also begin to rub against the conveyor structure, resulting in fraying, tearing and premature wear. Identifying the cause early can therefore help extend belt and component life.

The Hidden Cost of Poor Skirting

While belt tracking helps keep the conveyor running smoothly, skirting plays an important role in controlling the material being transferred. Skirting is fitted around the loading area of a conveyor to help contain material and prevent it from escaping from the sides of the belt. However, skirting that is incorrectly positioned or adjusted can create its own problems.

“If the skirting is set too tightly against the belt, it can create unnecessary friction and wear. If it is too far away, material can escape underneath it. Getting that balance right is important.”

Peter Griffiths, Lead Service Engineer

As skirting wears, the gap between it and the belt can gradually increase. If this goes unnoticed, material can continually escape from the conveyor, potentially resulting in lost material, increased housekeeping requirements and lost revenue. Regularly checking the condition and position of the skirting can help prevent these issues from developing.

How Tracking and Skirting Work Together

Belt tracking and skirting are closely linked. If a belt is not running centrally, it can move away from the skirting on one side of the conveyor, promoting material loss on one side, then increased wear on the opposite side which could result in unnecessary downtime and increased costs to replace a conveyor belt. Replacing worn skirting without addressing a mis-tracking belt may therefore only provide a temporary solution.

During inspections, operators should regularly check for signs such as:

• The belt running towards one side of the conveyor
• Damage or excessive wear to the belt edges
• Material building up around the conveyor
• Increased spillage from the loading area
• Uneven or excessive wear to the skirting
• Unusual noise or friction from the conveyor

The Demands Placed on Conveyor Systems

Conveyor wear can vary significantly depending on the application. Machines processing C&D waste, waste wood, green waste and forestry material can be exposed to abrasive, heavy or inconsistent material, placing additional demands on belts, rollers and skirting.

This is particularly relevant across equipment such as HAAS Gmbh and TANA Slow-Speed Shredders, JENZ High-Speed Shredders and Pronar Mobile Screeners, where conveyors are responsible for continually transferring processed material away from the machine.

Working conditions can also change from site to site. Material type, loading method, contamination and operating hours can all influence the rate of wear, making regular inspection particularly important.

Our Advice From The Workshop

“Our advice would always be to keep an eye on the small things. Check the belt is running centrally, look at the condition of the skirting and deal with any signs of wear early. A daily inspection can save a lot of unforeseen downtime and costs prematurely.”

Joe Symons, Product Manager

At CRJ, our workshop and service teams can assess the condition of your conveyor, identify the cause of tracking or skirting issues and carry out the necessary maintenance to help keep your equipment running efficiently.

If you’re noticing uneven belt wear, material spillage or excessive skirting wear, the teams at CRJ can help identify the cause and advise on the appropriate maintenance to ensure conveyor life is extended as far as possible before replacement-keeping production costs low and uptime as high as possible.