The Different Types of Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts are widely used across various industries in different ways. However, the goal of a conveyor belt is always the same: to transport products safely and efficiently from point A to point B.

The likelihood that you use a conveyor belt in your company is high. Whether it's for harvesting, storing, or processing, conveyor belts are employed at every stage of the process. If you don't yet have a conveyor belt but are looking for one, you’ll likely quickly encounter a problem: the massive variety of different types of conveyor belts! That’s why in this blog, we will explain the types available and which one you’ll need for your specific situation.

Different Models

First, it’s important to determine which type of conveyor belt you need. The models can generally be categorized into the following types:

• Flat
• Straight or Curved
• Cleated
• Roller
• Trough-shaped

Which one you need largely depends on the type of product you want to transport and where it needs to go. Flat belts, for example, can only move products horizontally, while cleated belts, with their cross cleats, can also transport products vertically.

Flat Conveyor Belts

Flat conveyor belts are one of the most commonly used types and are characterized by their flat, typically rubber or plastic surface.

Rubber or Plastic?

• Rubber: Stronger and more durable, often used for heavy-duty applications such as transporting sand, gravel, and recyclable materials.
• Plastic: Common in the food industry, as they are easy to clean and allow for hygienic transport.

Within plastic conveyor belts, we distinguish various types, of which the following are most commonly used:

• PU (Polyurethane) Conveyor Belts: A PU belt is fully enclosed, which is crucial for hygienic transport, especially in industries such as food processing.
• PVC Conveyor Belts: These are available with or without fabric inserts and can be equipped with additional elements such as wave edges, cleats, and guiding cables. PVC belts are wear-resistant, easy to clean, and resistant to chemicals.

Additionally, there are straight and curved conveyor belts, depending on the required direction of transport.

Cleated Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts with cleats are equipped with transverse elements on the belt, allowing them to move products not only horizontally but also vertically. This is a crucial advantage when goods need to be transported at a steep angle or even straight up. These types of belts are widely used in the agricultural sector and in production lines where bulk goods need to be moved upward.

Roller Conveyors

Instead of a continuous belt, roller conveyors use a series of (rotating) rollers on which products move.

Advantages:

• Very energy-efficient because less friction occurs compared to traditional belts.
• Suitable for heavy loads and boxes that can easily be pushed or rolled.

Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for small or loose products that may fall between the rollers.
• Transport is less controlled, which can cause products to shift.

Trough-shaped Conveyor Belts

What makes trough-shaped conveyor belts unique is their U-shaped design, with the middle of the belt lower than the edges.

Advantages:

• The shape provides extra stability for bulk materials, reducing spillage.
• The raised edges allow larger quantities of material to be transported safely.
• Ideal for transporting bulk materials such as grain, sand, and gravel over long distances.

Flat Conveyor Belts

Flat conveyor belts – Flat conveyor belts have a smooth surface without a profile, making them ideal for transporting flat or packaged products. They are widely used in industries like food processing, logistics, and pharmaceuticals, where hygienic and efficient throughput of goods is essential. Thanks to the smooth surface, these conveyor belts provide minimal friction, which reduces wear and optimizes energy consumption. Depending on the application, they can be made from materials such as PVC, PU, or rubber, with properties suitable for specific environments, such as antistatic or heat-resistant versions.

Plant Conveyor Belts

Plant conveyor belts are portable transportation systems for potted plants, widely used in nurseries. Thanks to their lightweight aluminum construction and standard length of 6 meters, they are easy to move. With a narrow width of 15 to 30 cm, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, providing efficient movement of plants within the growing process.

Curved Conveyor Belts

Curved conveyor belts are compact belts that move products smoothly around a corner of 45°, 90°, or 180°. They optimize space and efficiently connect logistical systems. They are widely used in sorting and processing lines for flowers, vegetables, and fruits, ensuring an orderly product flow. Small end rollers provide a smooth transition, while larger end rollers are suitable for heavier loads. Guide plates or bearings in a rail keep the belt stable in the curve.

Inspection Conveyors

Inspection conveyors are used for visually checking vegetables, fruits, and other products, where damaged or unwanted items are manually removed. Depending on the product, a flat inspection conveyor is chosen, suitable for delicate or small products, or a roller inspection conveyor, which lets round products rotate for full inspection. The speed is often adjustable for optimal control. In bulb cultivation, peeling conveyors are used to remove roots and loose skins, sometimes with a vibrating sieve to separate sand and debris.

Harvest Conveyors

Harvest conveyors are used for efficiently harvesting hand-picked vegetables like cauliflower, endive, celery, cabbage, lettuce, and broccoli. They are placed at the side of a harvesting vehicle, allowing a large field to be harvested in one go, saving labor and minimizing product damage. Thanks to their lightweight aluminum construction, they are easy to attach to various agricultural vehicles, both with and without covers. The hydraulic drive allows the speed to be adjusted continuously, and some models come with additional options such as end stops, electro-hydraulic height adjustment, and cross-transport on the vehicle.

Potted Plant Buffer Conveyors

Buffer conveyors are used in greenhouses to temporarily store and align potted plants before they are moved to the greenhouse. This speeds up the process because pot forks can pick up multiple pots at once, instead of moving them individually. A buffer conveyor is a wide conveyor belt on which pots are buffered and aligned for more efficient transport. Models with a pusher ensure accurate positioning, tailored to the pot fork, and are electrically adjustable in speed and distance between pots and rows.

Telescopic & Duo Conveyors

Duo conveyors, also called telescopic conveyors, are used in storage lines for products like potatoes and onions to transport items efficiently and without damage. A duo conveyor consists of two belts stacked on top of each other, which can be extended and adjusted, making them flexible for use in storage sheds. A telescopic conveyor, on the other hand, consists of one extendable belt and is often used for loading and unloading boxes or packaged goods, with minimal drop height. Both types ensure efficient and careful product handling within agricultural and logistical processes.

Trough Conveyors

Trough conveyors – Trough conveyors are ideal for transporting bulk materials such as sand, gravel, and grain. With their raised sides, which create a trough shape, products can be safely and undamaged moved along the belt. The trough shape prevents products from falling off the belt, contributing to efficient and controlled transport, such as to storage sheds. Trough conveyors are often combined with hoppers, hall fillers, and bin fillers, providing a flexible and damage-free transport method within the storage process.

Elevating Conveyors

Elevating conveyors are essential in modern agriculture for efficiently transporting products upwards, such as potatoes, onions, carrots, bulbs, and other crops. They are used at various stages of the harvesting and processing process, for example, to feed sorting machines, fill bunkers, or load trucks. There are different types, such as rubber elevating conveyors for heavy products, PVC belts for lighter applications, and cleated belts for steeper inclines. Elevating conveyors are available in various sizes and forms, depending on the product size and capacity. At Duijndam Machines, we offer a wide range of used elevating conveyors, suitable for various applications in the field and storage.

Dosing Bunkers

Dosing bunkers, also known as dosing bins, ensure a consistent and controlled supply of products to processing lines, which is essential for preventing disruptions and blockages. They are used for bulk products like bulbs, potatoes, onions, and carrots. The product is poured into the bunker from a bulk bin or conveyor, and then a conveyor transports the bottom layer of the product to the processing line. Dosing bunkers are often equipped with features such as shaking mechanisms, roller sets, and electronic sensors, and can be adjusted mechanically or via frequency control for a constant flow. They are indispensable in agricultural processing for efficient and damage-free product handling.

Buffer Conveyors

Buffer conveyors, also known as collection conveyors, are used to temporarily store and align products before further processing or packaging. They play a crucial role in optimizing the product flow in production and processing lines. These conveyors provide intermediate storage of products, allowing them to be supplied to the next machine at a constant speed, ensuring a more efficient process without delays. Buffer conveyors are often used in the agricultural sector for products such as potatoes, onions, vegetables, and fruits, and can be equipped with various options such as adjustable speed and height settings for flexible applications.

Transport Screws

Transport screws, also known as augers, screw conveyors, or elevators, are systems that efficiently transport bulk products like grain, coffee beans, animal feed, and fertilizer using a rotating spiral in a closed tube. This design prevents spillage, which is especially useful for small granular products. With versatility in shapes and sizes, such as L-shaped or straight, augers can be easily adapted to specific processing lines or spatial constraints. These systems are frequently used in agriculture and waste processing, helping to transport waste or other bulk goods, even over steeper inclines. Due to their simplicity and robust design, second-hand transport screws often last for many years, making them a cost-effective option for businesses.

Roller Conveyors

Roller Inspection Conveyors 

Roller inspection conveyors are used to manually inspect vegetables and fruits of lower quality, such as potatoes, onions, sprouts, and fruits like citrus fruits and apples. The rotating rollers ensure that the products rotate in all directions, allowing them to be inspected for imperfections from all sides. This way, lower-quality products can be easily removed, leaving only the best quality. Roller inspection conveyors are often used in sorting or packaging lines, just before the sorting machine or packaging machine. They come in standing and sitting models, with the sitting models providing more comfort for the user, as they are positioned closer to the product. The speed of the rollers is often adjustable so that the products can move faster or slower along the inspection conveyor, depending on the requirements of the process. For a more comfortable working environment, roller inspection tables can also be placed in heated and soundproof inspection rooms.

Roller Tracks 

Roller tracks are an efficient and cost-effective solution for moving goods like potted plants, vegetables, fruits, or boxes. They use rotating rollers instead of a conveyor belt and are ideal for products with a flat bottom. Available in both powered and gravity versions, they can be adjusted with curves for flexible setups. Powered roller tracks are suitable for bridging height differences, while gravity roller tracks are simpler and cheaper for light inclines. At Duijndam Machines, we offer a wide range of used roller tracks that are robust, durable, and cost-efficient.

Other Transport Solutions

Flower Bunch Lines 

Flower bunch lines, also known as bunching machines, are essential for processing flowers into uniform bunches or bouquets at high speed. They can handle different types of flowers, such as tulips, lilies, chrysanthemums, and peonies. The machines vary in complexity, from simple short lines to more advanced systems that can process up to 2000 bunches per hour. The choice of the right bunching line depends on the flower type, the desired processing capacity, and available space.

Hopper Bins 

Hopper bins, also known as dump hoppers, are essential for buffering and dosing products like potatoes, onions, or carrots from a dump truck to a sorting or storage line. They ensure a continuous supply, which is crucial for efficient and high processing capacity. Hopper bins can be adjusted for different product types and are often equipped with a roller set for cleaning and pre-sorting the product. These machines are often part of a larger processing line and can be combined with other conveyor belts and systems.

Weighing Machines 

Weighing machines for vegetables and fruits are crucial equipment in the food industry and agriculture, designed to measure the weight of products like potatoes, apples, and other fresh vegetables and fruits with high precision and efficiency. These machines, available in different types and capacities, provide consistent and reliable weight measurements, which are essential for logistics and sales. There are various types of weighing machines, such as multihead weighers for small packages and mechanical belt weighers for heavier weights, like potatoes and carrots. Many weighing machines are modular and can be expanded with additional features like labeling or sorting mechanisms, making them suitable for a range of applications in the food sector. They are often combined with other machines, like packaging systems, to ensure seamless and efficient product processing.

Chain Conveyors 

A chain conveyor is a robust and enclosed bulk transport system used for transporting various bulk goods such as powders, food products, and waste products both horizontally and vertically. The system uses a chain with elongated scrapers that slide over the bottom of the trough, moving the product along. Chain conveyors are suitable for transporting large quantities over long distances and offer multiple loading and unloading points. They can transport in both directions and are capable of volumetric dosing at each input point. This type of conveyor is fully enclosed, preventing dust emission, and is suitable for transporting products at high temperatures. Chain conveyors are available in straight configurations, as well as Z-shaped and C-shaped models for specific applications.

Rotary Tables 

A rotary table is often used at the end of processing lines, such as packaging machines, sorting machines, or washers, to build up a buffer of products ready for packaging. These rotating tables make it easy for operators to manually pack products into boxes. The material chosen for the tabletop depends on the fragility of the product; for fragile products like vegetables or fruits, a soft-coated surface is recommended, while for sturdier products, steel, wood, or plastic is suitable. For wet products, plastic or stainless steel is used. The speed of the rotary table can often be adjusted by changing the position of the drive wheel or using a variable-speed motor or frequency controller.

Advantages of Second-Hand Conveyors

Whether you’re looking for a flat belt, harvest conveyor, or transport screw, second-hand conveyors are an excellent choice for companies looking to save costs without compromising quality. At Duijndam Machines, we offer a wide range of used conveyors that have been carefully inspected and are immediately ready for use, sourced directly from our stock. This makes it possible to quickly find the right solution at an attractive price.

Custom Advice at Duijndam Machines

If you have questions about which conveyor belt best suits your needs, feel free to contact us. Our specialists are happy to assist you in finding the right transport solution.