A concise guide to understanding Drag Chain Conveyors

Industrial facilities that handle and process abrasive and sticky materials for bulk utility and transport often utilize drag chain conveyor systems. These are heavy-duty conveyors that are capable of operating in harsh environments and withstand excessive elemental forces. Generally, these systems are required to handle substances that conventional conveyor systems are incapable of surviving. 

What are drag chain conveyors?

Drag Chain Conveyors are conveyor belts with scrapers attached, dragging materials through an enclosed trough. These conveyor belts are used to transport materials that are generally hazardous and challenging to handle manually. These include sticky substances like asbestos, clay, and sludge and sharp materials like granite or crushed glass. They’re also used to transport oddly shaped objects and materials like logs, tires, cubes, and live fish. These conveyors are different from conventional belt conveyor systems in that they cradle the material and are designed to prevent spillage.

What makes drag chain conveyor systems useful?

Drag Chain conveyor systems are useful because of their ability to handle harsh conditions and operate smoothly under distinct, elemental loads. These systems come equipped with different conveyor chain types suited for unique materials and come with prescribed material load capacities and capabilities. Drag chains have a wear-index that is a jaw-dropping 10-12 times higher than steel, making them capable of handling materials like granite, crushed glass and other rough materials with relative ease.

Additionally, drag chain conveyors are also capable of handling extreme temperatures, ranging from -40 degrees to 400 degrees Celsius. This makes them useful across regions and facilities with extreme climate conditions. Drag Chain conveyors are resistant to dust and moisture and cradle the material, reducing breakage and degradation and retaining its quality. Some of the best drag chain conveyor systems have a 95% material retention rate, making them great at bulk material handling

What are the benefits of drag chain conveyor systems?

Drag chain conveyors are some of the most versatile automated material handling systems in the world and can be used to transport material over long distances efficiently. They offer several benefits and advantages. These include

• Versatile movement - Drag chain conveyors can handle inclines, declines and horizontal runs with the same conveyor, making them versatile and capable of handling all kinds of movement.

• Durability - Drag chain systems are extremely durable and can withstand tough conditions, making them very useful in industrial plants and applications that would otherwise be a safety hazard if handled manually.

• Large capacities - Drag chain systems are capable of transporting extremely large quantities of material. Some of the better specced systems can handle up to 1000 tons per hour making them ideal for high-volume operations.
• Long-distance transport - Drag chain systems can transport large quantities of materials over pretty long distances. Their lengths tend to exceed 1000 meters. They’re a convenient tool to handle long-distance transportation in places like mines and large factory units.

All in all, Drag Chain Conveyors are vastly different from conventional conveyor belts in that they are heavy-duty conveyor systems. Their utility lies in their ability to transport extreme materials that would otherwise prove difficult to manage. When you’re getting one installed, you’d best check the conveyor components and the materials the unit is compatible with.