Avoid Sticky Situations with These Asphalt Conveyer Maintenance Tips

Weather delays and schedule changes are disruptions that are beyond your control, but when it comes to your equipment,  there are some issues you can head off with solid planning and smart decision making.

We help companies like yours work through issues with chains, buckets, slats, sprockets, and traction wheels every single day. Often, the problems they’re encountering with their conveyor equipment are issues that could’ve been avoided through preventative maintenance. 

This is, as you know, a sticky business.

Here are some common problems asphalt companies encounter with their conveyor equipment, whether they’re using a single slat conveyor, dual slat conveyor, transfer conveyors, chain bucket elevators, or incline conveyors:

Improper Conveyor Maintenance

When you’re in the middle of a job and something goes wrong, it might be tempting to jerry-rig it so that you can avoid project deadlines and delays.

This is a huge mistake. 

A temporary fix might buy you a couple more hours of functionality but cost you substantially in the long run. Improper conveyor maintenance could mean major damage to your equipment in the long run, not to mention the potential safety hazards caused by such temporary fixes.

Excessive Material Build-Up on Chains and Conveyors

It’s only a matter of time before material begins to accumulate. To avoid breakdowns in the field, regularly inspect your SBR chain, HSB chains, and conveyors to ensure that all is running properly.

Excessive Material Build-Up on the Sprockets

Yup, sticky material accumulates everywhere when you’re working in asphalt. 

Don’t be fooled by a clean-looking chain or conveyor. Even if they’re fine, you’ll want to also check to make sure your sprockets aren’t caked with asphalt and tar.

A good rule of thumb is to replace your sprockets whenever a new chain is installed. This ensures even wear and tear and avoids needing to take a piece of equipment down for repair and maintenance twice.

We provide chains, sprockets, buckets, and more that are designed specifically to meet the demanding needs of the asphalt industry.

Sprocket Timing and Alignment

Believe it or not, sometimes it isn’t the asphalt that causes your equipment to break down. Dual strand inline conveyors require precise sprocket timing and alignment. If these are off, it can wreak havoc on your asphalt equipment. Inspect these aspects of your asphalt equipment regularly.

Solve Your Asphalt Maintenance Issues with Webster Industries

The best solution for these maintenance issues is to put into place a regular preventative maintenance routine by your in-house mechanic, or consult with Webster Industries for preventative maintenance recommendations for chains and conveyors. 

When something happens in the field, our technicians can help inspect and evaluate what’s going on when you don’t have the crew you need on-hand to address the problem. Our engineering experts help you build predictive maintenance practices so you can minimize the impact to your production line caused by faulty or broken equipment. 

The Webster engineering team is available to help you troubleshoot immediate conveyor issues you’re facing. When something breaks down, make Webster your first call, at (800) 243-9327. We can make sure that your production line keeps moving longer and more efficiently with the best conveyor and chain equipment in place. We are readily available 24/7 - 365 days a year.

Give us a call today or contact us to keep your asphalt equipment running.