Conveyors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While roller conveyors are better suited for cases where less traction is required, a belt conveyor is a superior choice for objects that tend to slip and slide easily. Similarly, few are as effective in handling heavy loads as the pallet conveyor. Their main purpose is to move pallets, which actually contain the objects to be transported, in production lines or shipping zones. However, like any conveyor system, they also require proper maintenance and care for optimal performance. In this blog, Norpak Handling, a leading systems integrator and conveyor distributor in Port Hope, Ontario, will explore 5 maintenance tips to increase the performance and longevity of pallet-handling conveyors.
How To Maintain Pallet Handling Conveyors?
1. Perform Routine Inspections
Just like any piece of equipment, conveyor systems also require routine inspection to ensure proper maintenance. It is the first step to understand and assess the condition of your conveyor system. Here’s a small checklist you can follow based on the type of conveyor in operation:
- Rollers and Chains: The most common issues to look out for are wear and tear, misalignment of the rollers or chains, or buildup of contaminants such as dirt or debris.
- Bearing and Pulleys: Bearing and pulleys are the connecting parts of your conveyor system. Make sure they are operating smoothly. Check for excessive noise or grinding, as it indicates a problem.
- Belts and Chains: In the case of belt conveyors, check for proper belt tensioning. It must not be too tight or too loose. Similarly, keep an eye out for fraying or stretching of these components.
- Fasteners and Hardware: Screws and fasteners are the smallest and most overlooked aspects of the conveyor. Make sure they are secured tightly, as loose fasteners can cause various components to move or vibrate excessively.
By following this small list of inspections, you can spot any potential problems early on and prevent any major downtime in the long run.
2. Clean The Conveyor Regularly
As mentioned above, dust and debris are common culprits that affect conveyor performance. Similarly, with prolonged use, pallet fragments also become an issue. Therefore, cleaning conveyor systems regularly is a great way to maintain their performance. However, there is a caveat. There is a right way to clean a pallet handling conveyor. Here are 3 tips you will find from any reputable manufacturer on how to clean them appropriately:
- Removing Debris: To remove debris regularly, make use of a soft brush or vacuum. These are gentle enough not to damage any parts while also being strong enough to make the cleaning thorough.
- Avoid High Pressure Washing: Apart from the excess pressure from the washing that can damage small parts, using this method can also lead to the buildup of rust, as water tends to corrode metal components. Before adopting this method, make sure that the conveyor is rated to handle it.
- Check Your Cleaners: Not all cleaning agents are right for a pallet conveyor. Make sure any cleaning agent you use is approved by the manufacturer, as the wrong ones can degrade belts, chains, and rollers in the long term.
3. Ensure Proper Lubrication
A pallet-handling conveyor has a lot of moving parts, so keeping them appropriately lubricated is important. Without this, they will face a lot of wear and tear and will need to be replaced prematurely. Proper lubrication, on the other hand, will ensure less friction, prevent overheating, and promote smooth functioning. Here are some tips on proper lubrication:
- Use the Right Lubricant: Lubricants vary widely depending on the conveyor and manufacturer. Make sure you are using the lubricant recommended by your conveyor manufacturer.
- Don’t Go Overboard: Over-lubrication can also cause a different set of problems. For instance, it can lead to the accumulation of dust and debris, making the conveyor operation inefficient from that standpoint.
- Follow a Maintenance Schedule: The best practice in this case is to follow a scheduled lubrication change of bearings, chains, and rollers, as it will take out all the guesswork.
4. Monitor Load Capacity
Pallet-handling conveyors are known for handling heavy loads. However, if they are overloaded beyond a particular limit, they can cause performance issues and lead to premature wear and even outright damage. To prevent overloading of the conveyor, consider the following steps:
- Be Sure To Not Exceed The Maximum Limit: Every conveyor comes with a maximum load limit from the manufacturer. Make sure you never exceed it during operation.
- Ensure Proper Weight Distribution: If the load is spread out more evenly, there is less chance of wear and misalignment.
- Make Sure the Staff Is Aware Of Load Capacity: Training the staff properly on not exceeding load limits and ensuring weight distribution will go a long way towards improving the longevity of your pallet handling conveyor.
Preventing overloading is also important from a safety standpoint, as it can endanger workers in a facility who work around pallets.
5. Inspect The Pallets
The pallets are a vital part of the conveyor, and if they are not robust, they can cause a whole host of problems. If the pallet is damaged or structurally unsound, it can damage the conveyor, cause a jam during operation, and severely affect the overall throughput. To prevent this, make sure to:
- Check the pallet for broken boards
- Check the pallet for any missing boards
- Check if any nails are sticking out
If the pallets are not up to the mark, get them repaired or discarded, as the cost of sticking with them can be too costly.
The Bottomline
The bottom line is that the proper maintenance of pallet-handling conveyors pays off dividends in the long run. It can improve the performance and longevity of the conveyor system while also preventing any damage or unnecessary downtime.
Looking for quality conveyor maintenance? Look no further than Norpak Handling. As one of the biggest distributors of conveyor machines in the country, we have a plethora of conveyors at our disposal, including roller conveyors, belts, chain conveyors, sortation conveyors, and more. Reach out to us today at 1-905-885-7674 for more information.
