Choosing the Right Lagging for Tail Pulleys in Mining Applications

Tail pulleys  might sit at the end of the conveyor belt, but their role is anything but minor. They maintain belt tension, guide alignment and keep everything running smoothly.

Your choice of pulley lagging can make a big difference to system performance and maintenance schedules. With the right selection, resources operators can efficiently handle abrasive, wet and high-capacity loads.

This post explores the different lagging options available for tail pulleys. We outline their uses, advantages and the factors to consider when formulating a solution for your site.

Why Lagging Matters for Tail Pulleys

Lagging provides a protective cover to the pulley surface. For tail pulleys, it helps with:

• Friction and Tracking: Provides grip against the belt, helping reduce slippage and improve alignment.

• Wear Protection: Shields the shell from abrasive material, extending service life.

• Build-Up Prevention: Some lagging surfaces help shed dirt and moisture from the unit, reducing the risk of blockages.

• Safety and Compliance: Proper lagging reduces the likelihood of sudden failures, improving site safety.

Conveyors have to withstand harsh conditions on WA's mine sites. The wrong lagging can lead to faster wear, delays and repeated maintenance interventions.

Lagging Options for Tail Pulleys

Rubber Lagging

• Smooth Rubber: A straightforward option for lighter-duty applications, offering basic protection and grip.

• Diamond-Grooved Rubber: The most common choice for mining tail pulleys. Diamond grooves channel water and fines away from the belt, reducing slippage and material build-up.

• Chevron-Grooved Rubber: Similar to diamond grooves but with directional channels, ideal for high-moisture or slurry-prone conditions.

Best for: Conveyors on sites where moisture and carry back are common challenges.

Ceramic Lagging

• Plain Ceramic Tiles: Extremely durable and resistant to abrasion.

• Dimpled Ceramic: Increases grip and is particularly effective for high-tension applications.

• Hybrid Ceramic/Rubber: Combines grip and abrasion resistance with added flexibility.

Ceramic lagging is most often used on head pulleys but it’s also suited to tail pulleys where abrasive materials are present and rubber wears too quickly.

Polyurethane Lagging

Polyurethane offers strong resistance against chemical exposure, making it a suitable option for conveyors in processing plants. It also provides good wear resistance in wet environments.

Best for: Operations with chemical exposure or corrosive materials.

Flame-Resistant Lagging

Where a fire risk is present, this lagging provides an added layer of safety.

Best for: Environments where compliance with fire safety standards is critical, like coal mines or facilities with combustible dust.

What to Consider When Selecting Lagging

Lagging selection is an important aspect in project planning. The right decision will minimise delays, preserve equipment integrity and save long-term costs.

Managers and operators should consider:

• Load Characteristics: Abrasiveness, moisture levels, particle size and potential chemical exposure.

• Environmental Conditions: Dust levels, humidity and temperature extremes.

• Conveyor Speed and Load Size: Higher speeds and loads increase the need for durable, high-traction surfaces.

• Maintenance Goals: Some lagging options are designed to reduce material build-up and simplify cleaning, reducing maintenance time.

• Compliance Requirements: Fire-resistant options may be mandatory in certain applications.

Why You Should Choose Replacement Over Refurbishment

Just as important as the lagging choice is the condition of the pulley itself. While refurbishment may patch surface wear, it won't necessarily fix structural fatigue. On the other hand, if you opt to replace the pulley you get:

• A longer service life

• Lower long-term maintenance costs

• Elimination of hidden defects

• Compliance with current engineering standards

At Promet we supply full conveyor pulley replacements across Australia for a price cheaper than refurbishment.

The Promet Difference

In partnership with our trust supplier, Promet provides tail pulleys custom built for WA's mining sector. Each pulley is:

• Manufactured with corrosion-resistant materials and reinforced lagging

• Quality tested for pressure, tension, vibration and load bearing capacity

• Backed by an 18-month full replacement guarantee

• Delivered quickly through our trusted supply chain

Receive a Free Quote for Lagged Tail Pulleys

Tail pulleys are crucial to conveyor performance and the right lagging makes sure they stand up to the abrasive, high-load requirements of WA's mining sector.

From diamond-grooved rubber to ceramic or flame-resistant finishes, selecting the right lagging surface can improve belt tracking, reduce downtime and extend service life. With Promet, you can secure brand new pulleys with customised lagging surfaces for less than the price of full refurbishment.

For a free, zero obligation quote returned in 5 days, submit your drawings here.

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