Conveyor Belt Troubleshooting

Tracking/Training the Belt Procedures

Training or tracking the belt on your radial stacker or conveyor system is a process of adjusting idlers, pulleys and loading conditions in a manner which will correct any tendency of the belt to run other than centrally. The basic rule which must be kept in mind when tracking a conveyor belt is simple, "THE BELT MOVES TOWARD THAT END OF THE ROLL/IDLER IT CONTACTS FIRST."

✅ Conveyor Belt Tracking Guide

1. Understand Belt Tracking Basics

    • Tracking means aligning the belt to run straight on the conveyor.
    • Most belts naturally want to move toward the tighter side of the system.

2. Common Causes of Belt Misalignment

    • Uneven or improper tension
    • Worn or misaligned rollers/pulleys
    • Build-up of material on rollers or belt
    • Poor belt splicing
    • Uneven load distribution

3. Step-by-Step Belt Tracking Procedure

Step 1: Inspect the System

    • Check for material buildup on pulleys or rollers.
    • Inspect belt condition (no tears, frays, or stiff edges).
    • Ensure all pulleys and rollers are square and level.

    Step 2: Tension the Belt Properly

      • Set even tension across both sides.
      • Over-tensioning can cause stretching; under-tensioning can cause slippage and misalignment.

    Step 3: Adjust the Tail Pulley First

      • To move the belt left, tighten the right side of the tail pulley.
      • To move the belt right, tighten the left side of the tail pulley.
      • Make small adjustments (1/4 turn at a time).

    Step 4: Observe and Adjust Drive Pulley (if needed)

      • Typically used as a fine adjustment if tail pulley doesn't solve tracking.
      • Same principle applies: the belt moves toward the tighter side.

    Step 5: Use Return Rollers for Fine-Tuning

      • Adjust return idlers (especially training idlers) to help guide the belt back to center.
      • Self-aligning idlers can help automatically correct tracking.

    5. Preventive Measures

      • Keep the belt and pulleys clean.
      • Schedule regular inspections.
      • Use crowned pulleys or tracking guides (v-guides) if belt misalignment is persistent.

     

    Common Mistakes to Avoid

      • Making large adjustments too quickly.
      • Adjusting too many points at once.
      • Ignoring roller/pulley alignment.
      • Failing to lock components back into place.