6 Advantages of Heavy-Duty Belt Conveyors for Material Handling

6 Advantages of Heavy-Duty Belt Conveyors for Material Handling

Material handling is integral to numerous industries, from mining and manufacturing to agriculture and logistics. Efficient and reliable methods for transporting materials ensure smooth operations, reduce downtime, and minimize costs. Conveyors enable the continuous movement of materials over long distances with minimal manual effort, offering both convenience and productivity.

While there are many types of conveyors for material handling—such as screw conveyors and bucket elevators—belt conveyors have emerged as a popular and advantageous choice for heavy-duty applications. Below, we delve into the specific benefits of heavy-duty belt conveyors and explore how they compare to alternative systems.

Advantages of Heavy-Duty Belt Conveyors for Material Handling

Here are six major advantages of heavy-duty belt conveyors

    1. High Efficiency & Throughput: Heavy-duty belt conveyor systems can handle large volumes of material with exceptional efficiency. Their continuous belt design allows for transporting materials without interruption, reducing bottlenecks and maximizing throughput. This makes them ideal for industries requiring high-capacity operations, such as mining, quarrying, and bulk material processing. Some field loaders can move up to 12,000 bushels per hour. Belts can be loaded anywhere along the belt instead of being limited to particular access points. 
    2. Versatility in Material Handling: Belt conveyors can transport a wide range of materials, including loose aggregates, powders, granules, and even large, irregularly shaped items. Their adaptability makes them suitable for diverse industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. 
    3. Long-Distance Transport; Unlike some other conveyor systems, belt conveyors excel at moving materials over long distances. With proper design and support structures, they can span hundreds or even thousands of yards, reducing the need for intermediate transfer points and enhancing overall efficiency.
    4. Customizability: Heavy-duty belt conveyors can be tailored to meet specific operational requirements. Adjustable belt speeds, varying widths, and the ability to incline or decline allow these conveyors to accommodate unique site conditions and material characteristics. For instance, custom options like cleats, sidewalls, and tripper systems enable precise control and flexibility. Find conveyor parts and accessories on ShopIBT.
    5. Durability and Low Maintenance: Built with robust materials and engineered for demanding environments, heavy-duty belt conveyors offer long service lives and require minimal maintenance. This durability translates to lower operational costs and reduced downtime. Reinforced belts and heavy-duty frames ensure they perform well even under harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures or abrasive materials.
    6. Cost-Effective: Belt conveyors are generally more cost-effective for transporting materials compared to bucket elevators or screw conveyors. They offer high material throughput per dollar spent and reduce labor requirements, making them a sound investment for long-term operations.


Additional heavy-duty conveyor belt benefits:

  • Virtually no degradation of your fragile products, such as grains, lentils, or beans.
  • Can move material horizontally or at an incline.
  • Easy material inspection due to visibility on the belt.
  • Belts can have “trippers” to unload the belt at nearly any location. 
  • Add-on options like weighing scales, cleats, and sidewalls enhance functionality.
  • Pivoting designs for radial stacking enable flexible discharge points.

Comparing Belt Conveyors to Other Systems

belt conveyor for grain

Now that we’ve looked at the advantages of heavy-duty belt conveyors, let’s compare it to other conveying systems. 

Belt Conveyors vs. Augers

Let’s compare the pros and cons of belt conveyors to those of augers (also known as screw conveyors). 

Belt Conveyor Pros Compared to Augers

Belt conveyors can handle a greater variety of materials, including fragile and abrasive ones. They are gentler on produce and you’ll see fewer splits in peas, beans, or lentils. They also offer higher throughput and longer transport distances compared to augers. 

Belt conveyors are more energy-efficient and less prone to material jamming. A conveyor belt system’s lifespan is up to three times longer than an auger. They also generate less heat and friction, making them suitable for handling sensitive or temperature-sensitive materials. 

Belt Conveyor Cons Compared to Augers

If the product needs to be protected or contained, covers and drip pans can get expensive and cumbersome. There is always material carry over which will continually need to be cleaned up. Belt conveyors are open to the air and generate dust, and also have large space requirements.

Auger Pros Compared to Conveyor Belts

Augers, AKA screw conveyors, can be more compact and are suitable for enclosed spaces or vertical transport. Augers can handle a much steeper incline and have a much smaller space footprint compared to belt conveyors. A belt conveyor is generally happiest at a 25-degree or less incline and will need to be  20% to 33% longer to reach the same bin height compared to an auger. Augers can handle 35 or 40-degree inclines. 

Finally, augers often have an initial lower sticker price than a conveyor belt system.

Auger Cons Compared to Conveyor Belts

Augers are best suited for low-moisture material. The higher the moisture content, the more horsepower is required to move the material. 

Should I Choose a Belt Conveyor System or a Screw Conveyor System?

A conveyor belt system’s versatility, throughput, durability, and efficiency often make it the correct choice. A screw conveyor system (auger) is preferred if you have limited floor space and throughput is a lesser concern. 

Belt Conveyors vs. Bucket Elevators

Let’s quickly compare a belt conveyor system to a bucket elevator system. 

Belt Conveyor Pros Compared to Bucket Elevators

Belt conveyors are versatile, capable of horizontal and inclined transport, and typically more cost-effective per unit of throughput. They handle diverse materials efficiently and can be customized for various applications.

Belt Conveyor Cons Compared to Bucket Elevators

Bucket elevators are more space-efficient for vertical lifting and are better suited for compact facilities. They are ideal for transporting grains, seeds, fertilizers, and powders where vertical movement is paramount.

Ready for a Customized Heavy-Duty Belt Conveyor System?

Conveyors Inc. provides quality products combined with superior service and expertise. They uphold principles of honesty, integrity, and fairness in serving their customers. Conveyors Inc. can customize a solution tailored to your needs, whether you need a short 10-foot conveyor or a longer system spanning 1,000 feet or more. 

IBT Industrial Solutions is a proud long-time partner of Conveyors Inc. and our Conveying Systems Division works closely with them to provide the best service and the most efficient conveying systems to customers across the United States. From design to installation, IBT ensures superior solutions for material handling challenges.

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