Belt Conveyor Drive
Selection & Supply
You know what a conveyor drive consists of. The problem is selecting it: how much power the belt actually absorbs, which gearbox frame carries it, what the service factor should be, and whether the holdback and starter are right for a loaded start.
Send us the conveyor duty data. We select the motor, gearbox, coupling, holdback and starter as one matched package, and quote it with the ratings, service factors and any derating stated in writing.
What we need from you to select this drive
The more of this you send, the faster and more accurate the selection. If you only have part of it, send what you have — we will tell you what is still missing.
Duty data and site conditions
| Capacity, belt speed, belt width | Tph · m/s · belt width in mm — sets the base absorbed power |
|---|---|
| Conveying length, lift, inclination | Horizontal length in m, lift height in m, inclination in degrees — sets lifting power and holdback duty |
| Material | Bulk density in t/m³, lump size, temperature, abrasiveness — sets the resistance coefficient |
| Drive arrangement | Head single / dual / intermediate drive, pulley diameter in mm — sets ratio and power split |
| Power supply | Voltage, frequency, phases, permitted voltage drop on start |
| Site conditions | Ambient temperature, altitude, indoor or outdoor, dust or hazardous area classification |
| Duty cycle | Running hours per day, starts per hour, whether it must start fully loaded |
| Starting and stopping | Soft starter or VSD, holdback required, brake required, stopping distance |
How we select it
- 1
Calculate absorbed power from belt resistance, lift, and secondary resistances.
- 2
Apply the service factor and check thermal power against mechanical rating — this is where most under-rated units fail.
- 3
Match the ratio to the pulley speed, then check output torque, shaft diameter and shrink disc fit.
- 4
Select the starting method and confirm the loaded-start torque against the permitted voltage drop.
- 5
Confirm holdback and brake duty, then quote the matched package across the shortlisted brands.
Selection points that decide the outcome
Mechanical rating is not thermal rating
A gearbox can carry the torque and still overheat. Check thermal power against ambient temperature, altitude and running hours.
Altitude and ambient derating
Above 1,000 m and above 40 °C both motors and drives lose output. State the site conditions early or the unit arrives under-rated.
VSD at low speed
Gearbox lubrication and motor cooling both degrade at low speed. Confirm the minimum running speed and specify forced lubrication or a forced-ventilation motor where needed.
Loaded start and voltage drop
A loaded conveyor can demand 150–200% starting torque. If the network cannot deliver it, the drive stalls before it moves.
Holdback placement
The holdback belongs on the low-speed shaft of the gearbox, rated for the full reversing load, not on the motor shaft.
Multi-drive power balance
Two or more drives on one belt must share load. Specify fluid couplings or VSDs with load sharing, and match fill or torque settings.
An indicative package
An example of how a selection comes together. Your figures will differ — this is to show the level of detail we return with a quotation, not a fixed configuration.
Duty
800 tph · belt width 1,000 mm · length 200 m · lift 18 m · belt speed 2.0 m/s · outdoor, 45 °C
Package
- Motor: ~110 kW, 4-pole, IE3, IP55, Class F insulation with Class B rise
- Gearbox: Flender FZG B3SH bevel-helical, i ≈ 25, mechanical rating above the peak torque with thermal power checked at 45 °C
- Coupling: Flender FLUDEX fluid coupling between motor and gearbox for soft, load-shared starting
- Low-speed coupling: Flender ZAPEX or ARPEX to the pulley shaft
- Holdback: integral backstop on the gearbox low-speed shaft
- Starting: VSD or soft starter depending on the permitted voltage drop
What we supply for this duty
Motors
- Innomotics SIMOTICS low-voltage motors
- WEG W22 cast iron, IE3 / IE4
- WEG W51 HD heavy duty
- ABB IEC and NEMA motors
Variable speed drives
- Siemens SINAMICS G120X and G120C
- ABB ACS580 and ACS880
- WEG CFW11 and CFW701
Gearboxes and geared motors
- Flender FZG helical and bevel-helical units, 3,100 – 1,400,000 Nm
- Flender FLENDER ONE
- WEG WG20 gear units and geared motors
Couplings and starting
- Flender FLUDEX fluid couplings
- Flender N-EUPEX, RUPEX, ARPEX and ZAPEX couplings
- Backstops and brakes
Control and monitoring
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 / S7-1500 and ET 200 distributed I/O
- B&R X20 system
- Temperature, speed and belt slip monitoring
Ratings we can supply
Typical ratings available
| Motor power range | 0.12 kW to 1,250 kW for conveyor duty; higher on request |
|---|---|
| Gearbox torque | Flender FZG: 3,100 – 1,400,000 Nm, 28 sizes, ratio i = 1.25 – 450 |
| Output speed | Matched to pulley diameter and belt speed, typically 20 – 120 rpm |
| Supply voltage | Low voltage up to 690 V; medium voltage 2.3 – 11 kV for large drives |
| Ambient | Standard −20…+40 °C; high-ambient designs to +60 °C with derating stated |
Brands we supply
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Related applications
Other Brands Available on Request
Beyond the brands shown here, we also source and supply spare units and parts for most international and Chinese industrial brands. Not sure what you have? Send us a photo of the nameplate — we will identify the unit and quote the original part.
Why work with us
- We select the whole drive train — motor, gear unit, coupling, starter and brake — as one matched package.
- You send the duty data; we return the ratings, service factors and alternatives in writing.
- We supply Siemens, Innomotics, Flender, ABB, WEG and B&R, so selection follows your duty, not one catalogue.
- Spare parts and replacements for the same units are available afterwards.
Service & support
Remote and on-site support available, from installation supervision to commissioning and troubleshooting.
What we need from you to quote
For replacements, send a nameplate photo — we identify the exact unit and quote the original part.
- Duty data — power, torque, speed, flow or head, and duty cycle
- Supply voltage, frequency and starting method
- Preferred brand, and your required delivery window
- Quantity, destination port and required delivery date
Answers before you ask
Frequently asked questions
Can you select a conveyor drive if I only know the capacity and length?
Yes, if you also give the lift and the material. With capacity, length, lift and bulk density we can calculate the absorbed power and propose a frame size; the final selection is confirmed against your speed, power supply and site conditions.
Do you supply the holdback and brake as well as the motor and gearbox?
Yes. We quote the complete drive package including the holdback, brake, couplings, fluid coupling and starter or drive, so the components are matched to each other.
Do you only supply the eight brands shown on your homepage?
No. We source and supply spare units and parts for most international and Chinese industrial brands, not only the eight brands shown on this site.
I do not know the exact model number. Can you still quote?
Yes. Send us a photo of the nameplate and we will identify the exact unit before preparing the quotation for the original part.
Do you supply genuine original manufacturer parts?
Yes. We supply genuine original manufacturer parts. Send us a photo of the nameplate and we can identify the exact unit before quoting, so you do not need to look up a model number.
Do you provide installation guidance, commissioning and after-sales support?
Yes. We provide installation guidance, commissioning support and after-sales support, remotely or on site depending on your project.
What is the delivery time?
Lead time depends on the product and configuration. We confirm the delivery schedule together with the quotation, so you have a firm date before you order.
Which export documents and certificates can you provide?
We can provide applicable CE and ISO documentation, certificates of origin, packing lists and test reports according to the requirements of your destination country.
What payment terms and incoterms do you work with?
We accept T/T and L/C payment, and quote FOB, CIF or EXW terms to suit your project.
Send the duty data and we will select the package
We return a selection with the ratings, service factors and alternates stated — so you can compare before you buy.
Request a Quotation