Beginners Guide

Conveyor pulleys perform several basic functions namely:

1. To provide a system of rotating stations, through which the conveyor belt can be guided.
2. To provide a mechanism for changing the direction of travel of the conveyor belt.
3. To provide a mechanism which plays an important roll in assisting the conveyor belt to run (track) true.
4. To transfer the driving power from the drive unit to the conveyor belt.

Conveyor pulleys comprise several basic components namely:

1. The drum or shell - This item is fabricated either from, a rolled sheet of steel or from hollow steel tubing, and has a diameter and face width to suit the specified conveyor belting.
2. The end or diaphragm plates - These are circular discs which strengthen the drum and transfer loads resulting from belt tensions, to the pulley shaft. They are normally machined from thick, graded steel and bored centrally to facilitate the housing of the shaft and locking element.
3. The pulley shaft - is designed to accommodate all the applied forces with minimum deflection. The shaft is located and locked to the hubs of the end discs by means of a locking element.
4. The shaft is generally supported at both ends by anti- friction load -bearing bearings, housed in suitable bearing housings.