Tracking is something you need to do with every belt you buy; if you or other workers track improperly or not at all, the belt won’t run as intended. While tracking may sound complicated, it’s much easier than you’d think. In this brief guide to conveyor belt tracking, we explain what tracking is, why it matters, and how to do it correctly.
What Is Conveyor Tracking?
Belt tracking is when you modify idlers, pulleys, and loading conditions so the belt follows the intended path without straying at any point.
Why Is It Important?
Tracking is important because it keeps your belt on track; literally. An imperfect track can result in unwanted downtime, leading to frustration and profit loss. By tracking a new belt, you can ensure it runs the same track as the last one and operates optimally.
How Do You Track a Belt?
Fortunately, tracking your new belt is easy. Use this step-by-step guide to conveyor belt tracking to get your new belt on track:
1. Turn the conveyor on and loosen the bolts near the tail pulley. This frees up the snub roller, which is the main force steering the belt.
2. Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolts in the direction you want the belt to move. Once the snub roller is in the desired position, retighten the bolts to lock the belt in position.
3. Repeat the above steps with the rest of the snub rollers. Start at the tail and work toward the center.
Though it can be time-consuming, tracking your belt isn’t difficult. Take a few minutes of your day to track and save yourself hours of downtime in the future.
Cambelt is a trusted conveyor belt manufacturer that’s provided industrial conveyor belt solutions to farmers, miners, food processors, and more for over 60 years. We produce a wide variety of belting systems, transloaders, and more to suit your industry’s needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business.