Selecting the Correct Type of Conveyor
This is Part 2 of a five-part series on selecting conveyors. To view the previous article on selecting a supplier, click here.
A variety of conveyance systems are available for bulk material handling: drag conveyors (a.k.a. paddle conveyors, chain conveyors, or scraper conveyors), belt conveyors, pneumatic conveyance systems. Which conveyor system will best work for your application depends on many factors, such as the material being conveyed, the conveyor configuration, up-front costs, efficiency requirements, and the amount of maintenance you are willing to perform.
There is no one-size-fits-all conveyor. Each conveyor system has strengths and weaknesses. There are applications for which it’s best suited and ones for which it will perform poorly. To help in your understanding, we’ve provided the chart below, which compares conveyor systems in terms of their capabilities and performance. Note: while the information generally holds true, capabilities of individual conveyance systems vary with each manufacturer and application. The list is not meant to be a comprehensive resource.
