Tail pulleys are often found at the loading point of a conveyor - right where dust, fines and carry back are at their worst.
In high-dust environments like WA's regional iron ore, coal and lithium mines, that can cause serious problems. Belt mis-tracking, faster wear, safety hazards and maintenance delays are all damaging to project budgets.
But with the right lagging choice, system design and maintenance approach, you can easily minimise material build-up. Here's a quick guide to keeping your conveyors running smoothly in the toughest conditions.
Excessive build-up on tail pulleys doesn’t just make the system messy. It can have serious impacts on your conveyor's operation, including:
Belt Mis-Tracking: Uneven material build-up causes the belt to run off-centre, leading to extra wear.
Increased Stress on Bearings: Running off-centre creates vibration and shaft deflection, which shortens the life of bearings.
Slippage: A contaminated surface reduces traction, causing slippage.
Higher Maintenance Needs: Build-up means frequent cleaning (which requires more shutdowns).
Safety Risks: Slippage, sudden failures and overworked bearings increase the risk of accidents onsite.
Conveyors operate around the clock. Every hour of shutdown is another hour eating into production time and costs.
A lagged pulley is one with protective covering on its shell. There are different types of lagging available and the right choice makes a big difference in how well material sheds from its surface.
Diamond or Chevron Grooves provide channels for dust, fines and moisture to escape. This means material won't compact against the belt.
Smooth Rubber is less effective in dusty environments, as it doesn’t allow material to clear away as easily.
Plain or Dimpled Ceramic surfaces resist wear and provide excellent grip. However, they can hold onto fines if not combined with the right patterning.
Hybrid Rubber-Ceramic combines traction with some self-cleaning ability, making it suitable for dusty tail pulley applications.
This variety is effective where chemical or slurry exposure needs to be addressed. Polyurethane resists sticking but is less common in dry, dusty environments.
Used where fire risk is a concern, this option incorporates anti-stick surfaces to improve safety and cleanliness in hazardous environments.
A self cleaning tail pulley is only one part of the solution. Operators can prevent further build-up with:
Correct Design: Ensure tail pulleys are sized and aligned correctly to reduce areas where fines can accumulate.
Belt Cleaners and Scrapers: Primary and secondary belt cleaners will remove carryback before it reaches the tail pulley.
Skirt Seals: Well-maintained skirts prevent spillage and reduce the amount of dust entering the return path.
Regular Inspections: Spotting build-up early prevents it from escalating into major shutdown periods.
Our tail pulleys are designed for high-performance in the toughest conditions. Every unit is:
Built with corrosion-resistant materials and reinforced lagging
Tested for pressure, tension, vibration and thermal load in site-relevant contexts
Backed by an 18-month full replacement guarantee
Replacing a tail pulley is the surest way to address underlying issues with your conveyor. Patch repairs might fix the pulley, but shaft wear, shell fatigue and misalignment can remain.
In partnership with our trusted supplier, Promet can provide a conveyor pulley replacement in Western Australia for less than the price of full refurbishment. That allows you to:
Eliminate hidden defects
Enjoy a longer service life
Reduce long-term maintenance costs
Minimise downtime with faster supply and delivery
Material build-up on your conveyor's tail pulleys can be more than a nuisance. In high-dust mining environments where high-performance is essential, mistracking, slippage and downtime just won’t slide.
By selecting the proper lagging, ensuring comprehensive system design and choosing full replacement over refurbishment, you can reduce material build-up and extend the life of the equipment.
With Promet, you can secure new tail pulleys designed for regional WA. They boast reinforced lagging and corrosion resistant materials, are customisable and make your operation safer and more reliable.
For a free, zero-obligation quote returned within 5 days, submit your drawings here.
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