Bulk Material Handling Equipment
Belt ConveyorsHeavy-duty bulk material conveying for long runs and high-capacity applications
Orthman belt conveyors move bulk materials efficiently over horizontal and inclined conveying runs. Belt, idlers, structure, drive components, and loading arrangements are selected around the material and required capacity.
Each conveyor is engineered around your material characteristics, capacity, conveyor length, elevation change, and site layout. Designed and built in Cleburne, Texas.
The Equipment
What is a belt conveyor?
A belt conveyor moves bulk material on a continuous belt driven around head and tail pulleys. Depending on the design, the carrying belt may be supported by troughed idlers or a slider-bed arrangement.
Troughed idlers form the belt into a carrying profile that helps center and contain bulk material, making belt conveyors well suited for long conveying distances and high-capacity applications. Belt width, speed, trough angle, belt construction, loading-zone design, and structural support are selected around the material and required capacity.
- Long runs and high capacities on a single conveyor
- Heavy-duty construction built for years of trouble-free operation
Resources: Belt Conveyor Catalog (PDF) → Belt Conveyor Manual (PDF) →
Custom Engineered
Built around your application
Every Orthman belt conveyor is custom engineered. Send your specifications or drawings and we will design the belt, frame, configuration and options to the job.
Selected with belt speed and material to reach the capacity you need.
Channel stringers for compact runs; truss frames for longer spans or fewer supports.
Open access, weather protection, dust-tight or cleanout requirements.
Belt cleaners, covers, hoppers, drip pans, safety devices, walkways and supports.
Applications
Applications and industries
From fine powders to large, lumpy stone, belt conveyors handle a wide range of bulk materials.
Mining & Quarrying
Aggregate, stone and ore moved between crushing, screening and stockpile.
Agriculture
Grain, feed and seed conveyed to storage, processing and load-out.
Forestry
Wood chips, bark and sawdust moved through mills and to storage.
Food Processing
Dry ingredients and bulk food products moved between process steps.
Cement & Minerals
Limestone, aggregate, clinker, and other suitable bulk solids moved between processing and storage equipment.
Specifications
Technical specifications
Grouped so it is clear what is a capability the conveyor can be designed to, what is a typical operating parameter, and what is a design consideration for your installation.
Capability range
- Belt width
- 18″ – 72″
- Length / span
- Up to 600 ft
- Material handled
- Fine powders to large, lumpy stone
- Configuration
- Open, covered or fully enclosed
Typical construction
- Frame style
- Channel stringer or truss frame
- Channel stringer sections
- Standard 10 ft and 20 ft; custom lengths available
- Section joints
- Bolted splice plate connection
- Truss frame depth
- 24 ft and 42 ft
Design considerations
- Belt speed
- Selected for material and required capacity
- Idler / trough angle
- Selected for material, capacity and degree of incline
- Belt construction
- Belt type, ply rating, cover compound, thickness, and surface profile selected for the conveyed material, capacity, incline, abrasion, temperature, and operating conditions
- Frame selection
- Channel stringer where overhead space is tight and for shorter spans; truss for longer unsupported spans
- Belt cleaners
- Spring-loaded rubber or UHMW blade; motor-driven brush for tougher cleaning
- Loading zone
- Flanged inlet load hoppers with inclined or vertical chute sides
- Take-up
- Screw take-up typically used for shorter conveyors where manual adjustment is practical; gravity take-up used on longer or higher-tension conveyors to maintain more consistent belt tension automatically
Reading these numbers: capability range is what a belt conveyor can be designed to deliver, not what every unit does. Typical operating parameters shift with material and capacity. Final specifications are confirmed by Orthman engineering against your material, capacity and layout.
Questions
Belt conveyor FAQ
Direct answers to the questions we are asked most when engineers and plant managers are evaluating belt conveyors.
What is a belt conveyor?
A belt conveyor moves bulk material on a continuous powered belt running over idlers between a head and tail pulley. Troughed idlers cup the belt so material stays centered, which lets one conveyor handle everything from fine powders to large, lumpy stone over long distances.
What belt widths does Orthman build?
Orthman belt conveyors are built in belt widths from 18 to 72 inches. Width is selected with belt speed and material to reach the capacity your process needs.
When should I use a channel stringer frame versus a truss frame?
Channel stringer frames suit compact runs and installations where overhead space is tight. Truss frames carry the belt across longer spans with fewer supports. The two can be combined in one conveyor where the layout calls for it.
Can a belt conveyor be enclosed for dust or weather?
Yes. Belt conveyors can be built open for access, covered for weather protection, or fully enclosed with gasketed drip pans for dust-tight conveying and cleanout requirements.
What options are available on Orthman belt conveyors?
Common options include belt cleaners, covers, load hoppers, drip pans, safety devices, walkways and supports. Each is specified to the material, the environment and the installation.
Tell us what you need to move, and how far
Send us your material, bulk density, required capacity, conveyor length, elevation change, maximum lump size, and inlet and discharge requirements. Orthman engineering will size the belt, structure, drive, and options around your application.