The conveyor manufacturer you choose to work with will ultimately determine the return on investment (ROI) for the conveyor you purchase. Take your time and research both the conveyor manufacturer and the conveyor systems they offer.
What is the conveyor manufacturer’s overall reputation?
Review the conveyor manufacturer’s website for customer testimonials and success stories. Do they have experience supplying conveyors to your industry?
Reach out to current and past customers and ask them questions about their experience. Find out about the conveyor manufacturer’s ability to help you select or design the best conveyor system for your application. Ask about their customer service. How responsive are they? Do they deliver on time? Do they keep their commitments?
And finally, ask the following questions about the conveyor systems they offer:
How frequently will I need to replace the conveyor belt?
Ask about belt damage. Typically, when a conveyor belt experiences damage, it is only to one area of the belt – not the entire belt. When using a plastic modular belt, only the damaged section of the belt will need to be replaced. If the conveyor uses a one-piece fabric or rubber belt you will need to replace the entire belt.
Belt repairs are much quicker and less costly with a plastic modular link style belt when compared to a one-piece fabric or rubber belt.
How often will I need to maintenance the conveyor?
Maintenance and uptime can affect productivity. Find out what type of maintenance the conveyor system will need.
Conveyors that utilize brushless DC motors with maintenance free gearboxes — that are grease packed, require no lubrication and eliminate the potential of leaking oil — are the best option.
One of the leading reasons for conveyor maintenance is belt tracking problems. It’s obvious there is an issue when the belt wanders to the left or right instead of going straight down the center of the conveyor. Conveyor belt tracking issues happen exclusively to belts that need to be tensioned. Conveyors with plastic modular belts do not require tensioning or continuous maintenance.
Remember that unscheduled maintenance and lost production quickly add to the overall cost of conveyor ownership.
How easy is it to extend (or shorten) the length of the conveyor?
Change is inevitable. Learn whether the conveyor you purchase for your immediate needs will also give you the capability to meet your future needs.
Ask about the ability to lengthen or shorten the conveyor and add or subtract inclines and declines without compromising the integrity of the conveyor system. A conveyor system with the ability to not only meet your current needs, but your future needs as well, will give you the greatest return on your investment.
What is the expected life of the conveyor? Ask customers how long they have been running the conveyors. You want to find a conveyor that will give you many years of service – far beyond the initial purchase or warranty period.
Keep in mind that your relationship with the conveyor manufacturer will last the lifetime of your conveyor. Make sure both are of the highest quality and you are sure to get the greatest return on your investment.
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