Choosing the right conveyor belt can look straightforward—until tracking problems, premature wear, or unexpected downtime start eating into production. In western Wyoming and eastern Idaho, facilities frequently face wide temperature swings, dust, moisture, and seasonal surges that can stress equipment. Below, we’ll help you choose the right conveyor belt for your specific facility.
Understand the Different Types of Conveyor Belts Before You Decide
The first thing that you should understand is that not every conveyor belt is the same. There are many things to know about the different types of conveyor belts, from their texture to their shape and how they handle materials. For example, rubber belts are common in heavy-duty applications because they handle impact and abrasion well. PVC belts, on the other hand, typically work well for lighter-duty conveying where you want a clean, consistent surface.
You may also run into specialty options, including cleated belts for inclines, sidewall belts for steep elevation changes, and belts for high heat, cold temperatures, or food-grade handling. When you recognize what each category does best, you can narrow your options quickly and focus on the belt type that suits your operation.
Start With What You’re Moving
To choose the right conveyor belt for your facility, you must assess what the belt will be moving. Identify weight, particle size, abrasiveness, moisture content, and whether the material is oily, sticky, or prone to clumping. A belt that performs well with boxed goods may fail early when handling sharp, abrasive fines. If your product shifts, slides, or rolls, you may need a surface that improves grip or a cleated profile that keeps loads stable on an incline.
If you operate under sanitation or compliance requirements, you also need to account for how you will clean and inspect the belt. A belt that meets cleanliness standards but degrades under frequent washdowns is not a long-term solution.
Choose the Right Construction and Strength
Belt construction affects how the belt flexes around pulleys, how it tracks, and how it holds tension over time. The carcass, ply rating, and tensile strength must match your load, conveyor length, and duty cycle. When you under-spec strength, the belt can stretch and drift. When you over-spec unnecessarily, you can spend more than you need to and reduce flexibility around smaller pulleys.
Your conveyor layout should drive this decision. Tight pulley diameters, frequent starts and stops, and high-tension take-up systems demand a belt that can flex reliably without cracking or delaminating.
Compare Options Using Total Cost, Not Just Price
A low purchase price is misleading if the belt wears quickly or requires constant adjustment. A belt that runs smoothly, tracks consistently, and lasts longer can reduce labor hours and protect production schedules. Compare options based on expected lifespan, downtime risk, spare parts needs, and maintenance time, then choose the belt that reduces your total cost over the long run.
Make the Right Choice for Long-Term Reliability
When you select a conveyor belt that matches your material, environment, and maintenance plan, you build reliability into daily operations. For facilities in western Wyoming and eastern Idaho, that means choosing a belt for temperature swings, dust exposure, moisture challenges, and seasonal demand. A thoughtful selection process now can prevent expensive surprises later and keep your line moving when it matters most.
