The most complex, yet vital part of maintenance and installation of the material handling system, is the proper tracking a conveyor belt. In order to train a conveyor belt so that it runs properly, it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge and experience in handling conveyors.

To correctly track the belt so that it maintains its desired path, make sure to follow some belts tracking basics. There are various factors which influence a belt’s ability to track correctly. Therefore, for proper conveyor belt tracking, you need to follow the right steps. But before that, it is important to know some common problems with conveyor belts.

1.    Check for debris

One of the most common causes of conveyor belt mis-tracking is debris build up on the bottom of the conveyor belt or pulleys. If this debris is left without cleaning, it can result in a crown or raised portion on the pulley which causes belt mis-tracking to one side or the other. Therefore, make sure to inspect your conveyor for mechanical issues as well as cleanliness to prevent potential problems.

2.    Ensure that your conveyor belt is cut straight

Although manufacturers make sure to cut belts straights, sometimes conveyor belt may have an arc or curves because they are wrongly cut during the manufacturing process. This results in mis-tracking and if you suspect this issue, take-off the conveyor belt from the unit and spread it out on the floor to check its straightness.

3.    Make sure that the conveyor frame is level and square

If the conveyor belt is moving toward one side or the other, chances are the conveyor bed is out of level or square. This issue can be easily checked by utilizing a standard level and testing out the level of both the frame, as well as, the pulleys.

To measure your conveyor bed, take dimensions from one corner to the opposite corner on each side of the conveyor. This is to check if the measurements are equal to one another. Although it is fine if measurements are somewhat out of square because usually, manufacturers provide what is referred to as squaring rods on the bottom side of the conveyor.

4.    Check that the end pulleys are square

Quite often, the wrong pulleys are used to track or adjust the belt. To avoid this issue, make sure that every pulley is properly aligned with the conveyor frame. Only use snub rollers and idlers to make tracking adjustments.

Steps to Track a Conveyor Belt

Properly tracking conveyor belt requires skills and knowledge of conveyors. Remember, the snub rollers or idlers are recommended for steering the belt. For conveyor belt tracking, start from making small adjustments and keep testing the result.

1.    While the conveyor is running, start loosening the roller by locating the set of bolts that are closest to the tail pulley.

2.    Now, depending on which direction you want to steer the belt, start tapping the bolts gently by using a rubber mallet. After successfully positioning the snub roller, re-tighten the bolts. The belt will track towards the center within 8-10 revolutions.

3.    If your belt is longer, you may need to adjust more snub rollers. You can repeat the above two-step to adjust the snub rollers until the centers of the belt and end pulley are within a quarter inch of each other.