Return Pulleys: Essential for Conveyor Tracking, Tension & Drive
The Return Pulley is a critical component located at the tail or along the return side of a belt conveyor. It guides the empty belt back to the loading point, maintains proper belt tension, and—when lagged—can provide auxiliary drive traction. Our return pulleys are engineered for reliability, minimal maintenance, and long service life in demanding bulk material handling applications.
Key Features & Benefits:
Belt Tracking & Training: Crowned face or flat face designs to center the belt.
Enhanced Traction: Optional rubber lagging (plain, diamond, or ceramic) prevents slippage.
Durable Construction: Heavy-duty steel, precision balanced, with high-capacity bearings.
Clean Operation: Wing-type (self-cleaning) designs prevent material buildup.
Custom Configurations: Shaft diameters, face widths, and lagging types to match your system.
Ideal for mining, quarry, cement, power, and bulk terminal applications. Available as Tail Pulleys, Take-Up Pulleys, and Bend Pulleys.
Main Components of a Conveyor Pulley (Drum) – English Introduction
1. Shell
The cylindrical outer surface of the pulley. It directly contacts the conveyor belt and transmits driving or redirecting forces.
Common materials: steel (carbon or stainless), rubber–ceramic lagging optional.
2. End Disc / End Plate (also called Diaphragm)
Circular plates welded inside both ends of the shell. They connect the shell to the shaft and transmit torque from the shaft to the shell (or vice versa).
3. Shaft
A solid or hollow metal rod that runs through the centre of the pulley. It supports the entire pulley and is mounted on bearings. The shaft transfers mechanical power from the drive unit to the pulley.
Typical material: C45 medium carbon steel, alloy steel, or stainless steel.
4. Hub
A machined component positioned between the shaft and the end disc. It provides a precise, strong connection – often using a locking assembly or keyway – and allows torque transmission without slippage.
5. Locking Element / Shrink Disc (Keyless Bushing)
A mechanical device (often a set of taper rings) that clamps the hub onto the shaft. It replaces traditional keyways and is ideal for high–torque or reversing applications.
6. Bearings
Mounted on the shaft ends, usually housed in bearing blocks or plummer blocks. Bearings enable smooth rotation with minimal friction and support both radial and axial loads.
Common type: spherical roller bearings.
7. Housing / Bearing Housing
A protective enclosure that holds the bearing. It can be fixed (rigid) or self–aligning, and often includes seals to keep out dust and moisture.
8. Lagging
A replaceable covering layer on the shell surface, made of rubber or ceramic. Lagging increases friction between the pulley and belt, prevents slip, and reduces shell wear.
Patterns: plain, diamond, chevron, or ceramic tiles.
9. Seals
Installed at both ends of the shell (between shell and shaft or inside bearings). Seals prevent lubricant leakage and stop contaminants (dust, water, fine material) from entering the bearing area.
10. Key / Keyway
A removable rectangular metal piece (key) inserted into matching grooves (keyways) on the shaft and hub. This traditional method locks rotation between shaft and hub.
