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Drag conveyors are simple machines purposed to ferry bulk material from one area to another. Because they work best with bulk product, they are most often found in the agriculture and mining industries. However, they can be used in a variety of settings. They are tough devices, usually made from galvanized steel, and therefore can take a lot of punishment. This incredible durability means they are perfect for hazardous work areas or handling abrasive materials.
During operation, drag conveyors look like a series of metal bars or paddles strung between two sets of heavy chains. The paddles are flat and push bulk product from one end to the other quickly. They are driven back and forth by the heavy chains, which are connected to two rotors, one on each end of the machine. Much like a bicycle, the chain is fed around the rotors in a continuous loop. As a result, the paddles are also continuously looped, pushing the material to the end of the machine, and then being carried back to the start of the circuit. This design prevents the paddles from pushing product backwards.
Bulk material, like cereal grains, gravel, and wood chips are a tricky problem to move around. Their small size and fluid-like properties mean they are clumsy to handle and prone to spill. Belt-driven transporters, therefore, are not ideal for moving them around. Vibratory transporters can handle small to moderate flow rate of bulk material, but heavy flow rates are usually problematic for them. If a heavy flow rate is expected at a processing facility, drag conveyors are the ideal solution. These machines are specifically designed for ferrying around huge amounts of material. In fact, they are so adept at this job that they are often placed in areas where grain is stored or where it is shipped for milling purposes. It’s standard to see them in close proximity to grain silos, where they can quickly remove large stores of cereals for transport to area processing facilities.
Because they are fairly simple machines, drag conveyors can be customized for a variety of work environments or functions. If it is made from galvanized steel, it can handle corrosive or abrasive substances that would damage other transports. Some designs can efficiently push liquids or semi-solid materials to their destination. This is useful for recycling or waste plants, because materials delivered to these facilities vary randomly in density and mass.
While most drag conveyors are built for horizontal transport, some designs can be inclined for particular applications. This is most helpful for carrying cereal grains, because grain silos are often accessed high off the ground. The transport can be connected right at the silo’s access port for seamless removal of grain. Mining facilities can also benefit from an inclined drag transport for speedy removal of gravel and undesirable mining products.
This humble transport machine can be the backbone of many processing plants, and will last for many years before they need to be replaced. While they aren’t the flashiest machines around, they are reliable, efficient, and cost effective.
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