other belt trainers required or belt tracking
issues since installation of the unit.
"In a wide variety of applications, the
ON-Track Belt Tracking Idler has proven to
be the reliable solution to this common
problem," Maloy said. "In another applica-
tion, only two Richwood ON-Track trackers
were required to replace six troughing belt
trainers and multiple return belt trainers.
Continual belt misalignment has been elim-
inated and this customer is very pleased
and plans on installing [the unit] on another
72-in. belt at the same location."
So how does Richwood's On-Track
work? The system design is proactive
instead of reactive, focusing on prevention
of belt side tracking and misalignment
instead of just correcting a belt misalign-
ment after it occurs.
"When you are attempting to guide the
conveyor back into its path, you have like-
ly already lost the battle," Maloy said,
adding that ON-Track applies tension to
both sides of the belt. "The belt's tendency
is to find the place of lowest tension, or
equilibrium, so it stays centered on the
structure. Should the belt attempt to mis-
align, the gentle tension differential creat-
ed by the ON-Track unit keeps the belt in
place in center of the conveyor structure."
The unit's multiple roll design also cre-
ates a smooth arc to aid in guiding the
conveyor, with tension meanwhile getting
gradually greater in the areas closer to the
edge.
Martin Engineering Gets Tough
Illinois-based Martin Engineering has
had a busy year, with several updates to
November 2015 www.coalage.com 31
c o n v e y o r e q u i p m e n t c o n t i n u e d
The SHD 1200 Series Cleaner features a special
tensioner system.