Successful and reliable conveying relies on proper tracking. Diagnosing tracking issues can be challenging, so CBT partner Habasit has developed a troubleshooting checklist to help you fine tune your conveyor system. When there are problems with belt tracking, first bring all adjustable pulleys to their neutral position. After adjusting the pulleys, check the following issues:
Design Issues Of The Equipment
- Pulley crowned correctly?
- At least one crowned pulley per belt length = 10x belt width?
- Not more than one crowned pulley per belt length = 2x belt width?
- First pulley of a group crowned?
- Crowned pulley wider than belt?
- Crowned pulley with arc of contact more than 60°?
- Machine design sturdy enough (no flexing under belt tension or weight of conveyed goods)?
- Machine frame not warped (pulleys parallel and horizontal)?
- Lateral guiding means (rollers, strips) located as far from the rollers as possible?
- Sensible additional guiding means employed where lateral forces are applied?
- Reversing belt running direction: Measures available to correct belt run individually for both running directions?
Belt Quality Issues
- Belt not cut straight?
- Belt cut skewed (warp threads not running parallel to belt edge)?
Maintenance Issues Of The Equipment
- Tracking over-adjusted (conflicting tracking means)?
- Pulleys and rollers adjusted in their neutral position?
- Dirt buildup on pulleys?
- Dirt buildup on the running side of the belt?
- Drum laggings and high COF covers intact, COF still high?
- Slider bed even?
- Belt distorted permanently by asymmetric tensioning?
- Pulleys rotating freely?
- Forward angled rollers symmetrical, rotating freely?
- V-shaped grooves in slider bed asymmetrically worn?
- Guiding profiles worn off?
- Guiding grooves worn out?
Still looking to find the problem? CBT’s belt service team has more than 30 years of experience with conveyor belts. Contact us today to talk to a belting specialist about your belt tracking challenges.
