Field Operator Certification

Drag Conveyors
Learner Guide
 Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Introduction
This lesson on Drag Conveyors, as with your other lessons on Auxiliary Equipment, consists of two
main learning components  a self-directed/in-class component and an on-the-job component. You
are expected to complete both components as part of your Certification Program.

Review the remaining information contained in the Introduction section of this document prior to
beginning the Content section. If you have any questions about this information, speak with your
Instructor.

Objectives
Your learning objectives are broken down into two categories  learning objectives for the self-
directed/in-class portion of your learning; and, learning objectives for the on-the-job portion of your
learning. They are listed below for your information.

Self-Directed/In-Class Learning Objectives

 Describe the purpose of the Drag Conveyor
 Name the main components of the Drag Conveyor
 Explain the principle of operation for a Drag Conveyor
 Describe the applications for a Drag Conveyor
 Describe the running and static inspections for a Drag Conveyor
 Describe the troubleshooting for common Drag conveyor problems
 State safety concerns related to Drag Conveyors

On-the-job Learning Objectives

 Perform an inspection on an operational Drag Conveyor
 Perform an inspection on a static Drag Conveyor

Lesson Outline
The first portion of the lesson, the self-directed/in-class portion, involves reviewing the following
information:

 The purpose and basic principle of operation of a Drag Conveyor

 A listing of the various components of a Drag Conveyor
 Various applications of a Drag Conveyor

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

 Inspection points of a Drag Conveyor and basic troubleshooting

 Safety concerns related to Drag Conveyors
Pictures and graphics are included where appropriate to help you understand how Drag Conveyors
function. At the end of this section, there are a series of questions that you will be required to
answer and review with your Instructor.

The second portion of the lesson, the on-the-job portion, primarily involves the completion of
several inspections on belt conveyors, including both an operational and static Drag Conveyors
inspection and lockout procedures. When you are ready to perform these inspections, inform your
Instructor.

If you are a new Field Operator, you will complete a series of steps in your OJT portion of this
lesson. These steps are listed below for your information.

 Step One
 Your Instructor will ‘walk through’ an inspection procedure with you. At that time
you can ask questions and take down any notes required.
 This walkthrough may be completed out in the field or during a meeting with your
Instructor.
 Step Two
 Your Instructor will demonstrate an inspection procedure in the field.
 Step Three
 You will conduct an inspection procedure in the field under the supervision of your
Instructor.
 Your Instructor will provide you with feedback about your performance during the
inspection.
 Step Four
 You will complete a full inspection procedure without any assistance from your
Instructor.
 This inspection will be assessed against the inspection checklist contained in this
document. If you achieve 100% on the inspection, you will be certified on it. If you do
not achieve 100% your Instructor will provide you with further feedback and you will
have the opportunity to be re-assessed.
If you are an experienced Field Operator, you may already be quite familiar with inspection
procedures. Discuss this with your Instructor and you may only be required to actually complete
Step Four as discussed above.

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Reference Material
 NA

Pre-requisites
 NA

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Drag Conveyors – Learning Content

Purpose
D RAG C ONVEYOR
 The purpose of the Drag Conveyor is to
transport material from one location to
another

DRAG C ONVEYOR

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Components

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The components of Drag Conveyors are:

 Main Drive System

 Casing
 Wear Liners
 Head Shaft and Bearings
 Head Sprocket
 Material Discharge Chute
 Tail Shaft and Bearings
 Tail Sprocket
 Conveyor Chain
 Take-up assembly
 Material Inlet Chute
 Inspection ports and doors

D RAG C ONVEYOR C HAIN

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D RAG C ONVEYOR C HAIN & S PROCKET

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Principle of Operation
 The Drag Conveyor consists of an endless loop of chain strung between the head sprocket
and the tail sprocket operating within a fully enclosed casing
 The sprocket at the discharge of the Drag Conveyor is usually configured with the drive
assembly
 The sprocket opposite the drive is connected to a take-up assembly that is designed to
maintain tension on the chain during operation.
 Material is introduced into the drag at the conveyor’s inlet chute. It is common for the drag
conveyor to have multiple feed points along its length.
 The material falls through the open area around the chain and flights on the top or return side
of the conveyor first. The material then passes into the bottom section of the drag where it is
sheared between the drag flights and the casing and propelled forward by the chain
advancing towards the head sprocket.
 Material is discharged from the Drag Conveyor through a chute that can be located anywhere
along the length of the conveyor

D RAG C ONVEYOR

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Applications
Typical applications for the Drag Conveyors include

 Clinker cooler evacuation

 Belt conveyor clean up systems
 Hot and cold material evacuation from surge bins
 Electrostatic Precipitator return dust

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Inspection Points
Drag Conveyors – Running Inspection
Check For OK

 Inspect the drive motor for

 material build up on cooling fins and cooling fan inlet screen
 Remove build up
 Inspect drive motor electrical connections for signs of damage or strain
 Inspect the drive’s mounting base for
 damage
 cracks
 loose bolts
 Palm test the motor casing temperature
 If too hot to touch, record temperature with hand pyrometer or contact thermometer
 Inspect the condition and support integrity of all safety guards
 Inspect the condition of drive components (motor to reducer)
 V-belt condition and tensioning, sheaves
 direct coupling condition
 chain and sprocket
 fluid coupling
 intermediate shafts and bearings
 Inspect the condition of drive components (reducer to driven shaft).
 V-belt condition and tensioning, sheaves
 direct coupling condition
 chain and sprocket
 Palm test the drive reducer casing temperature
 If too hot to touch, record temperature with hand pyrometer or contact thermometer
 Inspect the reducer for
 leaks
 lubrication level
 breather condition
 Listen for abnormal noise or vibration in all drive system components
 Note general condition of Drag Conveyors head assembly
 cleanliness
 material leaks
 lubrication leaks

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Drag Conveyors – Running Inspection

Check For OK

 Inspect the discharge chute for

 proper material flow
 build-up
 obstruction
 Inspect field control station for
 damage or cable strain
 Remove any obstructions for access
 Inspect the condition of the head shaft seals and support bearings
 Inspect the head sprocket for
 damage
 cracks
 wear
 Inspect the condition of the chain and flights for
 signs of damage
 wear
 cracks
 Check that all access doors and inspection ports are
 closed
 properly sealed
 Inspect the condition of Drag Conveyor
 protection devices
 mounting
 electrical connections
 cable strain
 Inspect the condition of the Drag Conveyors casing. Inspect for
 leaks
 signs of wear
 damage
 Inspect the condition of the Drag Conveyor’s take-up. Inspect for
 proper chain tension
 Inspect the condition of the tail shaft
 seals
 support bearings
 Inspect the tail sprocket for

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Drag Conveyors – Running Inspection

Check For OK
 damage cracks
 wear

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Drag Conveyors – Static Inspection

Check For OK

 Inspect the drive motor for

 material build up on cooling fins and cooling fan inlet screen
 Inspect drive motor electrical connections for signs of damage or strain
 Inspect the drive’s mounting base for
 damage
 cracks
 loose bolts
 Inspect the condition and support integrity of all safety guards
 Inspect the condition of drive components (motor to reducer)
 V-belt condition and tensioning
 sheaves
 direct coupling condition
 chain and sprocket
 fluid coupling
 intermediate shafts and bearings
 Inspect the condition of drive components (reducer to driven shaft)
 V-belt condition and tensioning
 sheaves
 direct coupling condition
 chain and sprocket
 Inspect the reducer for
 leaks
 lubrication level
 breather condition
 Note general condition of Drag Conveyor
 cleanliness
 material leaks
 lubrication leaks
 Inspect the discharge chute for
 build-up
 obstruction
 Inspect field control station for
 damage
 cable strain

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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Drag Conveyors – Static Inspection

Check For OK

 Inspect the condition of the head shaft

 seals
 support bearings
 Inspect the head sprocket for
 damage
 cracks
 wear
 Inspect the condition of the chain and flights for
 signs of damage
 wear
 cracks
 Check that all access doors and inspection ports
 closed
 properly sealed
 Inspect the condition of Drag Conveyor
 protection devices
 mounting
 electrical connections
 cable strain
 Inspect the condition of the Drag Conveyor’s casing. Inspect for
 leaks
 signs of wear
 damage
 Inspect the condition of the Drag conveyor’s take-up. Inspect for
 proper chain tension
 Inspect the condition of the tail shaft
 seals
 support bearings
 Inspect the tail sprocket for
 damage cracks
 wear

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Troubleshooting
The following troubleshooting information has been prepared to help you resolve problems
associated with Drag Conveyors.
Problem
Drag Conveyor Vibrates
Drag Conveyor Will Not Start
Drag Conveyor Reduced
Capacity
Abnormal Wear To Chain
Excessive Noise from Chain and
Sprocket and/or Pulsating Chain
Field Operator Certification
Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide
T ROUBLESHOOTING
Test OK
 Build-up of material in the discharge chute
 Excessively loose or tight drag chain
 Loose or broken flights or chain
 Misalignment of head and tail shaft
 Flights striking the inside casing due to misalignment
 Drive components damaged or loose
 Electrical isolation, overloads, local disconnect, main
breaker, fuses, interlock
 Build-up of material in the discharge chute
 Excessively tight chain
 Loose or broken flights interfering with casing
 Drive component failure, reducer, coupling, V-belt,
chain, sprockets
 Drag Conveyor chain failure
 Verify design speed VS current operating speed
 Inspect flights for damage or wear.
 Inspect inlet and discharge chutes for material build-up
or obstruction
 Excessive chain tension
 Loosen bolts & tighten down if needed
 Sprockets misaligned
 Loosen sprockets on shafts and realign with straight
edge across sprocket face
 Damaged sprocket or drive chain
 Replace damaged component. Check tension and
sprocket alignment
 Insufficient chain tension
 Use idler sprocket take-up adjustment tension on
both sides equally
 Overload
 Inspect for obstruction to or excessive drag on
conveyor
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Drag Conveyors - Learner Guide

Problem Test OK
 Frozen shaft or sprocket
Broken Chain
 Inspect for damaged bearings, replace as required.
 Check shaft for straightness. Replace chain as
required
 Worn or damaged chain
 Replace entire chain as required. Attempt to find
cause of wear (misalignment, etc.) in order to
correct
 Loose set screws
Sprocket Loose on Shaft
 Realign sprockets with straight edge and tighten set
screws
 Worn or damaged key
 Replace with new key
 Inspect for damage to key seat on shaft and in
sprocket hub
 Normal wear
Excessive Slack Chain
 Expect rapid chain growth in first two weeks of
operation
 Loosen mounting bolts and reposition sprocket
take-up
 Abnormal wear
 Check chain tension. Adjust as required

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Safety
 Always lock out Drag Conveyor prior to performing any service on the conveyor
 Be aware that Drag Conveyors are controlled automatically and can start and stop at any time
 Be aware of all conveyor nip points
 Never attempt to remove build-up off conveyor components while operating
 Keep clothing, fingers, hair, and other parts of the body away from conveyor drive
components
 Never climb or step onto drag conveyor lids as they are not generally designed to support the
weight of an individual
 Inspect conveyor guards for damage and support integrity
 Know the location and function of all control stations
 Keep all control stations free from obstructions to ensure access at all times
 Keep area around conveyors clear of obstructions
 Report all unsafe conditions or practices immediately

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Module Name

Lesson Review
Complete each of these questions and review your answers with your Instructor

1. What is the purpose of the Drag Conveyor?

2. Describe 5 components of a Drag Conveyor

3. What is the purpose of the Drag Conveyor’s take-up assembly?

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4. List 3 applications for Drag Conveyors in cement manufacturing

5. Describe 5 inspection points for a Drag Conveyor

6. Describe 3 conditions that would explain a loss of Drag Conveyor capacity

7. List 4 safety hazards associated with Drag Conveyors

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