Page 5 - ConveyorBeltMaintenanceManual2010

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INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
i n s t a l l a t i o n
In some cases, such as in mines where headroom does not permit maneuvering a roll, the belt may have to be pulled off the
roll and reefed (Fig. 3). Extreme care should be exercised to see that the loops have large bends to avoid kinking or placing
undue strain on the belt, and no weight should ever be placed on the belt when it is in this position. Ideally, supports should
be placed at each end where the bends occur.
A third method of handling the roll, where headroom for mounting on a horizontal shaft is lacking, is mounting on a turntable
with a vertical spindle. The belt must make a 90-degree twist as it comes off the turntable. This method is sometimes used
underground, with the turntable mounted on wheels or skids for transporting the roll of belt as it lies on its side, as well as for
unrolling it at the final location.
If the belt is for replacement, the new roll can be set up as previously indicated. The old belt is clamped off and cut, and the
new belt is spliced to the leading end of the old belt by using approximately one-half the usual number of plate-type fasteners.
The trailing end of the old belt is hooked to a truck, tractor, mine locomotive, or other means of providing traction. The conveyor
drive motor is used to pull on the new belt while the towing device drags the old belt away and at the same time provides
sufficient slack side tension for the conveyor drive pulley. In all cases, care should be exercised to ensure the carrying side of
the conveyor is placed upward if pulling onto the top run, or downward if pulling onto the return run.
For a new conveyor installation having little or no slope, a rope or cable should be attached to a clamp at the belt end. In
clamping to the end of the belt for pulling it on the conveyor, it is not sufficient to cut a hole through the belt or ears into its
corners for tying on a rope. A clamp should be made to distribute the pull applied to the end across its full width. Since the
clamp must pass through places of low clearance, it usually is made of two pieces of 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch plate approximately
equal to the belt width and 4 inches long. One piece is placed against each surface of the belt at the end, and bolts are placed
through both plates at about 6-inch intervals and 2 inches back from the belt end. The rope is then attached to this clamp
with a shackle or by welding an eye to one of the plates. The belt roll has been handled as previously described. The rope or
cable is then threaded over the conveyor and attached to a towing device to pull the belt onto the conveyor.
No weight to be placed on top
Keep bends together to
prevent breaking carcass
Fig. 3
Reefing the Belt