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TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
CAUSE
SOLUTION
1. Fastener fails
Improper fastener or technique
Check with fastener manufacturer comparing
tension, overall belt gauge, pulley size.
Recalculate tension requirement.
2. Belt stretching
Underbelted
Recalculate tension requirement. Double-check
peak loads.
3. Belt shrinking
Water absorption
Cotton belting shrinks when water-saturated.
Heat memory of synthetic fabrics
All synthetic belting tends to show this characteristic.
Check maximum temperature especially in cleaning
and periodically adjust take-up.
Mechanical malfunction
Improper alignment of pulleys or conveyor frame.
Crooked splice
Resplice. If mechanical splice, be sure ends
are cut square.
Off-center loading
Adjust loading conditions to permit center load.
5. Edge fraying
Material build-up
Redesign or adjust loading, scraper, plows and/or
and wearing
cleaning mechanisms.
Underbelted
Recalculate tension requirement.
Fabric instability
Consider improved fabric.
7. Belt slipping
Insufficient slack-side tension
Adjust take-up toward maximum stop and/or
shorten belt.
Underbelted
Recalculate tension.
Pulleys too small
Recalculate tension and check minimum pulley
requirements.
Ozone cracking
Check compound resistance.
Heat; extreme cold
Check compound resistance and system design.
Underbelted
Recalculate tension.
Slipping on drive pulley
Adjust take-up to maximum stop.
Undersized pulley(s)
Check all pulley sizes – especially snub or reverse
bend pulleys.
10.Belt fasteners
Fasteners too large
Follow fastener manufacturer’s recommendations
pull out
based on belt thickness.
Undersized pulleys
Use larger pulleys or thinner belts with strong
synthetic fabrics.
Belt too tight
Check tension. Consider vulcanized splice.
11. Excessive top
Skirt board/plow contact or
Adjust or redesign.
cover wear
material buildup
Frozen return idlers or material
Replace of free idlers or check cleaning devices
buildup on return side
or procedures.
Improper compound
Check with supplier.
4. Belt not
training
properly
6. Belt becoming
too narrow
8. Belt cracking
across top
of belt
9. Belt cracking
across bottom
of belt
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