TABLE OF CONTENTS The belt conveyor is a transporting, elevating, or distributing machine made up of an endless wide belt which carries a load on its upper surface. It operates between a head and a tail pulley and is supported by idlers, which in turn are supported by a frame or by steel cables. Conveyors are made in small portable elevating units that are loaded with hand shovels, and as giants that carry millions of tons of earth for many miles.
As independent units, they are well suited for rapid transportation of loose material. They have less mobility and flexibility than trucks and scrapers, and are therefore used chiefly where large volumes of material are to be moved along one route. They are particularly applicable where the load must be lifted steeply, or carried across rough country where road construction would be difficult. They are desirable as feeders for processing plants because they provide an even and continuous flow. They simplify traffic problems where hauling space is restricted, as in tunnels and in busy pits. However, they are not adapted to hauling big chunks which clog hoppers, damage the belt, and are likely to fall off in transit.
Their mechanical efficiency is high, as very little deadweight must be moved with the load, friction is at a minimum, and power-consuming starts and stops are rare.
A conveyor can be kept in touch with a receding pit face by fitting in portable frame extensions and splicing in extra belt, by installing...
