To enhance the performance of industrial conveyor systems, manufacturers have continued to fine-tune their designs and inventions. The drum and wing pulley was introduced as an innovative method of cutting down the cost of maintenance in industrial operations, especially when handling heavy materials. This post is a comprehensive guide to winged conveyor pulleys. Keep reading as we highlight their benefits, types, and how to select the best for your facility.

What is a Winged Conveyor Pulley?

Also referred to as self-cleaning pulleys, winged pulleys are types of material handling devices used on the tail-end of a facility's bulk handling system. Around this point, loose materials tend to get their way under the conveyor belt, often causing damage to the system. For example, loose particles can get to the bearing system, resulting in bearing failure and shaft misalignment.

The design of winged pulleys features a non-continuous contact surface with fins or wings. It results in the formation of open voids for tapping the loose materials that fall down from the conveyor belt surface. The winged pulleys are particularly useful when continuous contact is required.

Special Benefits of Using Winged Conveyor Pullets

• Helps to Extend the Life of Conveyor Belt Systems

Whether you run a mining facility, cement factory, or bulk grain handling facility, loose material build-up on the system is likely to result in premature failure of the conveyor belt. Well, your plant is likely to incur huge losses if the conveyor belt system for material handling requires regular replacement. Winged conveyor pulleys help to trap the loose materials, keeping them away from the belt and helping to reduce related damage. The overall impact is extended life of the conveyor belt system.

• Very Effective for Bulk Handling Types of Applications

When working with heavy materials, such as minerals, animal feeds, and gravel, winged conveyor pulleys help to make the operations smooth. They make it possible for your system to operate optimally without requiring unclogging. However, it is still crucial to make sure that all the parts, especially the chains and rollers, are in top conditions.

• Available in Different Designs to Suit Your Needs

To cater to the needs of all industries, winged conveyor pulleys are available in different versions. For example, if your facility deals with light-duty bulk handling, the standard duty wing pulleys might be ideal for the task. However, heavy-duty winged pulleys and mine-duty wing pulleys will be better options for dealing with heavier materials.

How to Select the Best Winged Conveyor Pulleys

Now that you know the main benefits of using winged conveyor pulleys, how do you select the best model for your facility? Here are some useful tips to consider:

• Think about the type of material that will be handled by the conveyor and select the model designed for it.
• Consider shafting, bushing, and bearing requirements before selecting a pulley.
• Look at the entire conveyor system, from the motor to the link chains, as opposed to the pulleys alone.
• The selected pulleys should be designed with quality material that is durable and easy to maintain.
• Only buy from trusted brands for assurance of top-quality all the time.

As you can see, winged conveyor pulleys are very useful when handling bulk materials because they prevent material build-up and damage to the conveyor system. Remember that no matter the model of winged pulleys that you select, it should be installed correctly and maintained in top condition for optimal performance.