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Sequence of Training Operations
Initial installation of conveyor equipment should ensure good alignment of all pulleys,
troughing idlers and return idlers; that is, they should be placed at right angles to the
direction of belt travel and should be leveled and centered on a straight line. First
movement of the belt should be slow and intermittent so that any tendency of the belt
to run off can be quickly observed and the belt stopped before damage occurs.
When the conveyor is a long center
installation, men should be stationed at
frequent intervals to observe the action
of the belt. They should be provided with
an effective method of communication
so they can report their observations and
if necessary, stop the belt.
Initial movement of the belt will indicate
where corrections of the types described
are required. The first corrections must
be at points where the belt is in danger of
being damaged. Once the belt is clear of
all danger points, a sequence of training
operations can be followed. Since the
training will finally complete a circuit,
just as the belt does, there is no point at
which training can be started without the
possibility of having to make subsequent
corrections when returning to the
starting point as the circuit is completed.
The best procedure appears to be in
starting with the return run and working
toward the tail pulley. This ensures early
centering of the belt on the tail pulley so
that it can receive its load centrally, which
is highly important.
If the belt is readily troughable so that its
running tendencies are not erratic, the
training can and should be completed
on the empty belt. Should it tend toward
stiffness and erratic running, getting
some load onto the belt as soon as the
return run has been straightened up and
the belt is centered on the tail pulley will
help hold the top run.
Normally, the belt can be trained properly
onto the tail pulley by manipulation of
return idlers and with the assistance
of self-aligning return rolls. Seldom is
any adjustment of snub or tail pulley
necessary, but the snub can be used in
supplementary training.
Training of the top run, with the belt
empty, is usually no problem if the belt
is readily troughable. In this case, self-
aligners on top are not required, except
as insurance in the region approaching
the head pulley. There, two self-aligners
placed approximately 40 and 80 feet
preceding the pulley will help re-center
the belt if it is forced off due to some
temporary disturbance.
It should not be necessary to use the
head pulley for training purposes if it
has been aligned properly. Likewise, the
snub following the head pulley should
not be required as a training means,
since it is relatively ineffective in its
position following the strong head pulley
influence.
The take-up carriage has a strong
influence on the running of the belt at
that point, and due to its movement
as belt length changes, is subject to
misalignment. A vertical take-up carriage,
hanging in a festoon of belt, must be
guided in its travel so that the pulley
shaft remains horizontal. The belt cannot
be depended upon to center itself on
the pulley. Once it becomes off-center,
the pulley will tip out of horizontal if not
guided closely on its posts.
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Installation, Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide
Installation