CHAPTER FOUR

C A PA C I T I E S , B E LT W I D T H S A N D S P E E D S

Introduction
Generally, for a given speed the belt width and conveyor capacity increase together. However the width of
narrower belts may be governed by the size of lumps to be handled. Belts must be wide enough so that any
combination of prevailing lumps and finer material does not load the lumps too close to the edge of the
conveyor belt. Also the inside dimensions of the loading chutes and the distance between skirtboards must
be sufficient o pass various combinations of lumps without jamming. Consideration must be given to spillage
and dust that can be created by misalignment, overloading and speeds too great for the design belt sag.

Belt Widths
The width of conveyor belts is customarily expressed in inches. The belt widths treated in this manual and
which are commonly available from conveyor belt manufacturers in the United States are as follows: 18, 24,
30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 72, 84, and 96 inches. Custom configurations using 108 and 120 inches and wider can
also be designed using similar concepts as those discussed in this chapter as well as throughout this book.

Generally, for a given speed, the belt width and the belt conveyor capacity increase together. However, the
width of narrower belts may be governed by the size of lumps to be handled. Belts must be wide enough so
that any combination of prevailing lumps and finer material does not load the lumps too close to the edge of
the conveyor belt. Also, the inside dimensions of loading chutes and the distance between skirtboards must
be sufficient to pass various combinations of lumps without jamming. Consideration must be given to spillage
and dust that can be created by misalignment, overloading and speeds too great for the design belt sag.

Lump Size Considerations

The lump size influences the belt specifications and the choice of carrying idlers. There is also an empirical
relationship between lump size and belt width. The recommended maximum lump size for various belt
widths is as follows: For a 20-degree surcharge, with 10 percent lumps and 90 percent fines, the
recommended maximum lump size is one third of the belt width (b/3). With all lumps and no fines, the
recommended maximum lump size is one-fifth of the belt width (b/5). For a 30-degree surcharge, with 10
percent lumps and 90 percent fines, the recommended maximum lump size is one-sixth of the belt width
(b/6). With all lumps and no fines, the recommended maximum lump size is one-tenth of the belt width
(b/10). Another way to determine belt width for a specific lump size is illustrated in Figure 4.1. This simple
chart shows the belt width necessary for a given size lump, for various proportions of lumps and fines, and
for various surcharge loadings. Fines size is no greater than 1/10 the maximum lump size.

Table 4.1
40
Belt width
necessary for a 36
given lump size
32

28
e
rg
ha
rc
Su
Lump Size (in)

g.

24
de
20
s,
ne
Fi

20 e
arg
0%

rch ge
,9

Su har
urc
ps

eg.
.S
m

d g
Lu

2 0 de
16 s, 30
%

mp es,
10

Lu Fin
All 9 0%
12 ps,
Lum harg
e
10% Surc
deg.
ps , 30
um
8 All L

0
18 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Belt Width (in)

54