Types of Conveyors

Conveyors specialize in making things move, in getting things from Point A to Point B. It’s a simple concept to understand, but the idea of moving things is actually more complex than it seems. “Moving” can mean traveling from the truck, through the warehouse, up and down, and “things” can mean pallets, packages, and even loose materials.

This has all led to the creation of the many types of conveyors we see today. Today we’ll go over the various conveyor types and the purposes they serve.

Roller Conveyors

Roller conveyors are among the most common type of conveyor. They are used in just about every kind of industrial application you can imagine, from warehousing and distribution to packaging and manufacturing. Roller conveyors are available in light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy duty.

Power Roller Conveyors

Many conveyor systems employ the use of gravity to move loads. However, if the load is too heavy or must travel up to a different level of the facility, a power roller conveyor is ideal. Power conveyors use electricity to move large, heavy loads where they need to go.

Stainless Steel Conveyors

Stainless steel is a convenient material that resists rust and corrosion. Where movement is concerned, this is an invaluable trait because it ensures your equipment won’t be hindered when it matters most. Stainless steel conveyors allow food service and other industries that value sanitation to have clean conveyor systems without fear of rust locking it up.

Gravity Pallet Conveyor

Heavy pallets are often moved along conveyors for better efficiency around the workplace. A gravity pallet conveyor is a specialized type of conveyor suited for moving pallets. Featuring a 50-inch width and 500 lb. capacity, this pallet conveyor uses gravity to get even more ergonomic movement.

Belt Conveyor

Industries that use belt conveyors want smooth movement above all else. A powered belt conveyor allows the operator to control the movement between multiple phases. The addition of a trough bed to the conveyor can better contain items that may fall off, making the belt conveyor a staple for food service and manufacturing facilities working with fragile materials and products.

Skate Wheel Conveyor

Skate wheel conveyors are an alternative to roller conveyors. Skate wheels are staggered, meaning they have more space between them than rollers do. This makes them perfect for moving larger loads like packages that aren’t necessarily as heavy as the loads that roller conveyors can support.

Expanding Conveyor

For the facility where space is a premium, an expanding conveyor is a useful item. Also called an accordion-style conveyor, this conveyor can expand and contract easily to fit around bends, pillars, and other obstructions on the warehouse floor. It is an ideal conveyor for moving loads from loading trucks.

Aggregate/Hopper Conveyor

We’ve grouped this type of conveyor together because they are often used in the same application—moving large quantities of aggregate/loose materials to make room for construction sites, etc. Aggregate conveyors are usually powered incline conveyors that use belt or cleated surfaces to move rocks, coal, and dirt, while hopper conveyors use hoppers that are ideal for pellets.

We hope you got some good use from this guide and learned a thing or two about the kinds of conveyor systems you can have!