Different applications need different drag chain conveyor types. We’re here to help make sure you know how to choose the best drag chain conveyor for your application. We’ve been in the bulk material handling industry for more than 45 years and have designed and sold all types of drag conveyor belt solutions and drag chain conveyor systems.
Choosing the correct drag chain conveyor type means you’re not spending more money on a conveyor you may not need. It also means you’re getting a conveyor that can handle your product without concerns of mechanical failure or system downtime. Everything you need to know is right here.
How to Choose the Best Drag Chain Conveyor – Know the Types
I want to take a second to define exactly what I’m talking about. The differences between structural drag chain conveyors (ultra-heavy-duty) and tubular drag chain conveyors (heavy-duty) are easy to spot. From the exterior, you can see that structural drag chain conveyors are built with schedule 40 pipes. Tubular drag chain conveyors are often built with stainless steel tubes.
The differences are easy to spot inside the conveyor, too. Structural conveyors have stainless steel or cast iron chains with UHMWPE or steel/iron discs. The non-structural conveyor has a stainless steel chain with molded-on UHMWPE discs. How drag chain conveyors and systems are built determines what kind of materials can be passed through them.
Drag Chain Conveyor Types – Differences in Conveyable Material
The material you’re looking to convey is one of the biggest determining factors for what conveyor you need. This is a topic we’ve written about before when every type of conveyor is being considered. I’m just focusing on drag chains here. Any product a tubular drag chain can convey, a structural drag chain conveys. That rule doesn’t apply to go the other way.
Structural Drag Chain Conveyors
Structural drag chain conveyor belt systems can handle virtually any type of bulk material, but these aren’t recommended for hygienic applications. It’s worth noting that these conveyor belts run much slower than other types, so it is important to understand their maximum rate and capacity compared to your desired rate and capacity (more on this below). These types of conveyor belt systems are much more expensive than the drag chain alternative.
Tubular Drag Chain Conveyors
Tubular drag chain conveyors aren’t as much of a workhorse, but they are effective when it comes to a variety of materials. Here is what they convey with ease:
- Dry, cold, hot (up to 180˚F/82˚C),
- Powders,
- Granules.
While these are ideal for the conveyors, sludge, slurries, moist, and cohesive materials should typically be avoided. Another blog post details what should and shouldn’t be conveyed in a chain drag conveyor.
Drag Chain Conveyor Types – Speed, Capacity and Length
Structural drag chain conveyors can run up to 50 ft/min (15 m/min) with a capacity of up to 10 ft3/min (0.28 m3/min). A conveyor’s maximum total length is up to 400 ft (120 m), and multiple conveyors can be linked together. Tubular drag chain conveyors can run up to 100 ft/min (30 m/min) with a capacity of up to 6.2 ft3/min (0.18 m3/min). The total length is up to 500 ft (152 m). These conveyors can also be daisy-chained.
Consider Cleanability
Cleanability is a topic that comes up whenever we work with a customer. It might be your number one priority, depending on your application. So, I thought I’d address it here.
When it comes to structural drag chain conveyor cleanability, keep in mind that these conveyors aren’t designed or recommended for hygienic and sanitary applications. They can be cleaned using a cleaning media in non-sanitary applications. On the other hand, tubular drag chain conveyor cleanability is different. This type of conveyor is ideal for hygienic applications with its crevice-free chain and disc assembly.
Sanitary Applications
Food products are common applications requiring a very low microbial count, and the chain can be removed for cleaning and dried remotely.
Non-Sanitary Applications
The conveyors can be cleaned by dry scouring (running an abrasive product) or air purging. All the scavenged dust is directed out through a discharge outlet. Additionally, they can also be wet-washed and drained, and the chain can be removed for cleaning and dried remotely.
Drag Chain Conveyor Types – Maintenance Differences
Proper chain tensioning is crucial for any type of drag conveyor, regardless of its construction. Be sure to ask the belt conveyor manufacturers about auto tensioning options.
Use a Test Lab
Anyone with experience in the dry solids and powder processing industry can tell you what likely will or won’t work for an application. The only way to know for sure is to utilize a test lab provided by the conveyor systems manufacturers. Spiroflow has test labs in the United States and the United Kingdom. I can tell you from experience that fine-tuning a piece of equipment is much easier in the testing phase than post-installation.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Are there any questions we didn’t answer? Let us know by contacting us. A member of our team will be more than happy to help you out. Are you interested in more than just drag chain conveyors? We have an unparalleled line of industrial conveyor systems, and we also do control systems integration and other conveyor solutions.
