TekBulletin

June 2011 Issue 6 Page 1

Conveyor Belt Tensioning Systems

The conveyor belt
tensioning system
or take-up device is
a vital component in
ensuring optimium
belt performance.
The role of the take-up device
is to create and maintain
adequate pre-tension to allow
the conveyor drive pulley to
drive the belt under all running
conditions (empty or loaded).
Generally there are two main
types of take-up. The fixed type
(normally refered to as a screw
take-up STU) and the automatic
or Gravity take-up (GTU).

distance of the conveyor and the

type of belt (see calculation).
The screw take-up on shorter
belts is normally located at the
tail end. Tracking of the belt with
the screw take-up should only be
performed as a last resort as it may
cause permanent belt stretch.
The GTU performs best located
close to the drive drum. The GTU
bend pulleys will have a minimum
diameter based on the belt
specification. Movement of the GTU
on both the vertical and horizontal
axis should be limited to 10mm
to avoid excessive movement and

associated tracking problems.

The GTU should be protected
with a return belt plough and
must be adequately guarded.

The screw take-up is normally used

on short conveyors up to a length
of 50m. Over 50m an automatic
take-up system should be used
to ensure constant pre-tension.
The length of the take-up
depends on the both the centre

TekTip The GTU length can store spare belt to

facilitate the replacement of a vulcanised
splice without the need for additional belting

ConveyorTek Limited
Unit 1 Ballinderry Industrial Estate
2a Glenavy Road
Upper Ballinderry
Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 2EU

Tel UK: 028 92 652666 Tel ROI: 048 92 652666 Email: sales@conveyortek.com
Fax UK: 028 92 652555 Fax ROI: 048 92 652555
Appointed conveyor belt distributors for

www.conveyortek.com

A MEMBER OF THE SEMPERIT-GROUP

TekBulletin
June 2011 Issue 6 Page 2

Conveyor Belt Tensioning Systems

For fabric belts the following calculation may be
used to estimate the length of take-up required.
Recommended minimum take-up distance:

*Ltu = L x 1.5%

Where

L = Centre distance

100

Ltu = Take-up length

*For conveyors L< 10m add approximately 100-200mm to Ltu

The possibility of adjusting the

belt tension under normal running
conditions should be around 0.8% to
1.2%. This is important in estimating
the position of the take-up especially
during the installation of a new belt.

would have a minimum conveyor

take-up length (Ltu) of 1.8m from
the calculation above. Therefore
adequate provision should be made
for an adjustment of 0.96m-1.44m
(0.8-1.2%) when positioning the GTU.

For example, a conveyor with a

centre distance length of 120m

GTU Weight and Belt Sag (q/s)

The weight of the GTU should

Belt Sag q/s= 1-2%

Top Run Idlers

maintain a constant belt sag

between the idlers (normally q/s
= 1- 2%) hence calculating the
correct weight is important.
A GTU underweight will lead
to excessive belt sag thus
increasing belt bend resistance
and reducing overall belt and
idler life. A GTU overweight will
lead to excessive belt tension
resulting in belt and joint stretch.
To calculate the correct
weight please contact your
ConveyorTek Engineer.

TekTip Ensure all take-up

devices are adequately guarded.

ConveyorTek Limited
Unit 1 Ballinderry Industrial Estate
2a Glenavy Road
Upper Ballinderry
Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 2EU

Tel UK: 028 92 652666 Tel ROI: 048 92 652666 Email: sales@conveyortek.com
Fax UK: 028 92 652555 Fax ROI: 048 92 652555
Appointed conveyor belt distributors for

www.conveyortek.com

A MEMBER OF THE SEMPERIT-GROUP