In almost every bulk process line, the belt conveyor determines the flow, the energy consumption and the availability of the installation. When a conveyor belt shows wear, is incorrectly dimensioned or not aligned with the application, the risk of downtime increases. As a result, the need grows for reliable, carefully engineered conveying solutions that operate seamlessly in various environments such as recycling, bulk terminals, minerals, food industry and grain storage.
Variants of belt conveyors
At Jansen&Heuning we distinguish several variants within belt conveying. The main choices are the heavy duty and light duty version. The division between the belt conveyors is directly linked to the intensity of use. Consequently, different variants have emerged, each addressing a specific load level.
Belt conveyors ensure a continuous material flow with low rolling resistance. As a result, they are suitable for both horizontal and inclined conveying. For trajectories where standard belts lose grip, Jansen&Heuning provides an elevator belt that handles steep angles and limited space without difficulty.
Problems arise when a conveyor does not match the actual process conditions. This may be related to insufficient belt width, an incorrect trough shape, an incorrectly selected drum diameter or a belt type that provides insufficient grip.
Below is a technical outline of the four main variants, with emphasis on application, construction and dimensioning.
1. Heavy Duty belt conveyors
Heavy industrial use requires a conveyor with high load capacity, a strong frame construction and a drive that supports continuous operation without effort. This variant is suitable for environments such as recycling, minerals processing, concrete industry, bulk terminals and heavier agro processes.
Technical specifications of previously built variants:
- Belt widths: 500 mm to 1400 mm
- Capacity: approx. 65 to 710 m³ per hour at 1 metre per second
- Drive: drum motor or drive drum with shaft-mounted motor
- Drum types: rubber-lagged, cage roller, closed drum
Heavy duty belt conveyors are used in applications with high impact, heavy loads and long-term continuous operation. Drum selection, tensioning system and belt type determine both lifetime and availability.
2. Light Duty belt conveyors
The light duty belt conveyor is developed for light to medium-weight bulk work within storage, logistics and agricultural processes. The design is compact and efficient, and performs reliably on medium-length conveying routes.
Technical specifications of previously built variants:
- Belt widths: 500 mm and 650 mm
- Frame widths: 550 mm and 750 mm
- Trough angle: up to approx. 20 degrees
- Roller diameters: 63 mm or 89 mm
Light duty conveyors often operate as distribution belt, loading belt or internal feed line. Thanks to the compact construction, this conveyor can be installed quickly in existing logistics environments.
3. Inclined belt conveyors
When space is limited or when product flows must be conveyed vertically or at steep angles, the inclined belt offers an efficient configuration. By building the belt in a straight, kinked, L or Z shape, a compact installation is created with minimal floor space and maximum conveying height.
Technical specifications of previously built variants:
- Incline angles: 10 degrees to 90 degrees
- Belt widths: from 300 mm
- Special version: elevator belt with sidewalls and cleats for steep conveying angles
Inclined belts are used when smooth or profiled belts provide insufficient grip. The elevator belt transports product stably, even with varying flow rates and different material types.
4. Belt conveyors for grain
The grain version is specifically developed for applications in grain storage and agricultural logistics. The construction is similar to the light duty belt, but fully aligned with grain, seed and comparable products.
Technical specifications of previously built variants:
- Capacity: approx. 60 to 150 tons per hour (at 750 kilograms per cubic metre)
- Belt widths: 400 mm to 650 mm
- Incline: up to approx. 35 degrees with profile belt
This variant is ideal for distributing grain in long storage sheds, filling storage bays or connecting cleaning and drying.
Operational conditions for variant selection
Problems arise when a conveyor does not match the actual process conditions. The performance of a belt conveyor is directly linked to correct dimensioning. Crucial parameters include:
- Material type and bulk density
- Capacity in m³ per hour or tons per hour
- Belt width and belt speed
- Incline angle (if applicable)
- Length of the conveying route
- Type of drive and required power
- Choice between idler sets or sliding support
- The type of industry, such as food, chemicals, agro, minerals or recycling
Integration and future readiness
Companies increasingly opt for modular belt conveyors that can be easily adjusted when processes change or capacity needs to be expanded. Factors such as lower energy demand, improved maintenance, longer lifetime and better accessibility for service teams also play an important role.
By choosing a correctly engineered conveyor, energy consumption decreases and the reliability of the entire installation improves. Contact our specialists so we can assemble a solution that fits your situation.
