A conveyor belt that won’t track properly can quickly lead to problems, like broken curfews and sassy backtalk. Uneven wear, equipment damage and safety hazards can also rear their ugly heads. Punishing the belt or giving it a stern talking-to won’t help, but proper installation and maintenance can resolve and even prevent most alignment and tracking issues.

Here are a few strategies to keep your conveyor belt aligned and your system running smoothly.

Why Correct Belt Alignment Matters

When a conveyor belt drifts off course, the belt can wear unevenly. That can shorten its service life and lead to costly downtime and repairs. Plus, it’s just plain embarrassing. A misaligned belt can also create safety risks if it interferes with other parts of the system or fails unexpectedly. It can cause you stress, too, which leads to hair loss and, eventually, societal shunning. Aligning belts correctly, though, will save you time and money.

Choosing the Right Pulleys and Rollers for Optimal Tracking

One important part of keeping your belt on track is using the appropriate pulleys and rollers. Crowned pulleys have a slightly raised center that can keep the belt centered. Pork pulleys are a type of sandwich I make, but I don’t suppose that’s important right now. Guide rollers limit side-to-side movement. Self-tracking rollers automatically adjust to keep the belt aligned. The best options for your system will depend on belt speed, load, tension, environment, the material you’re conveying and, of course, your favorite color.

Not sure what you need? Reach out to your Binkelman Account Rep for help and, if the timing is right, a relaxing hot stone massage.

Getting the Splice Right

When installing a conveyor belt, it’s important that “The Splice is Right” – straight and even (without going over). Your enemies will point and laugh at an inconsistent or crooked splice, which creates an uneven surface that can lead to belt drift. Whether you’re using a vulcanized splice, a mechanical splice or another method, make sure it’s done carefully and precisely for the best results. Or, better yet, have us do it. The Binkelman Conveyor Maintenance team splices all types of conveyor belts and, yeah, we look pretty cool doin’ it.

Adjusting Tension

Conveyor belts are like Goldilocks without the annoying bears. Too much tension can stretch the belt, cause uneven wear and tracking issues. Too little tension can allow the belt to sag and wander off course. We can set your belt tension so it’s just right and adjust it as needed to maintain optimal tracking and performance.

Staying on Top of Maintenance

Even with a great installation, your conveyor belt will need some ongoing love and care. Set up a regular maintenance schedule with us to look for signs of misalignment, damage, wear, stray bullet holes, cancerous moles, criminal activity and illogical fears. We’ll check the condition of your belts, pulleys and rollers, and make any necessary adjustments to the tracking. Catching small issues early can prevent bigger problems from developing over time.

Conclusion

When left unaddressed, conveyor belt tracking issues can lead to pricey consequences for your equipment and your bottom line.

If you need help with installation, choosing the right components or ongoing maintenance, reach out to us. We’re conveyor belt experts. We provide all types of conveyor maintenance, plus the parts you need to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. Call 419-537-9333.

When it comes to industrial equipment safety, the stakes are high. Equipment failures can lead to costly downtime, injuries and accidents that disrupt your operations and put employees at serious risk.

It’s important to take precautions to prevent those consequences, and regular equipment inspections play a critical role.

Identify Potential Hazards Before They Escalate

Inspections provide an opportunity to identify wear and tear, failing parts and other issues with your equipment that might otherwise be overlooked. By catching problems early, you can take corrective action before they become more serious. That can help you reduce the risk of equipment failure and accidents, so your operations can run smoothly and no one gets injured.

Comply with Safety Regulations

Safety regulations are in place to protect you and your team. By maintaining compliance, you’ll avoid fines and legal problems while also doing the right thing for the safety and well-being of your employees.

Regular equipment inspections are an important part of meeting safety standards. When you conduct inspections, check that your machinery and processes comply with regulations and best practices. That safeguards your team and your company’s reputation for safety and reliability.

And when you need parts and services you can count on to meet industry standards, come to Binkelman. We have solutions to keep your operations running safely from high-quality hoses to conveyor maintenance services.

Man inspecting equipment

Reduce Downtime and Increase Productivity

Unexpected equipment failures can result in downtime and negatively impact productivity. By doing inspections regularly, you can catch wear and tear before there’s a breakdown. So, you can minimize downtime that eats into your profits and avoid extra costs associated with emergency repairs.

Extend Equipment Lifespan

If you keep your machinery in good condition and address issues early, you’ll avoid premature wear and extend the lifespan of your equipment. That means you’ll get more value from your investment and reduce the need for costly replacements.

A diligent male engineer in a factory inspects a conveyor belt machine, wearing a uniform and safety gloves.

Improve Worker Safety

Your team is your most valuable asset, and their safety should be a top priority. Conducting inspections helps keep equipment running properly, which lowers the risk of accidents.

And providing a safe working environment shows your employees that you care about their well-being. When workers feel secure, they’re better able to focus on performing their job duties.

Conclusion

Equipment inspections can help you improve safety, productivity and equipment lifespan. By being proactive with inspections and performing them regularly, you can create a safe and efficient workplace that protects both your employees and your bottom line.

And whether you need high-quality hoses and fittings, custom fabrication or conveyor maintenance, Binkelman can help. Our goal is to support you in keeping your operations safe and productive. Give us a call at 419-537-9333.

Efficient material handling is important for any manufacturing or industrial operation, as it directly impacts productivity and operational costs.

A well-designed belt conveyor system improves material handling and extends the lifespan of equipment, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. And when you apply careful consideration to the belt specification, speed and tensioning, you can improve the effectiveness and reliability of your conveyor system.

Choose the Right Belt Specification

Using the right belt helps the system to run smoothly, efficiently and minimizes maintenance needs.

The belt must be compatible with the type of materials being transported. For example, rubber belts are excellent for handling abrasive materials, while PVC belts are suitable for lighter, non-abrasive loads.

You should also consider environmental conditions when selecting the proper belt. High temperatures may require belts with EPDM covers or other compounds designed for higher temperatures, while abrasive or cut and gouge applications might necessitate a special abuse resistant Grade 1 compound.

Optimize Belt Speed and Width for Your Workflow

Your belt speed should be based on the type and volume of materials being transported to promote smooth, efficient movement. Higher speeds can cause spillage or damage to fragile items, while a speed that’s too slow may lead to bottlenecks and reduced productivity.

The belt must be wide enough to accommodate the size and shape of the materials being conveyed. A wider belt can handle larger or more irregularly shaped items, reducing the risk of jams and ensuring a steady flow.

By carefully addressing both speed and width, you can improve your system’s efficiency and maintain a consistent workflow.

Implement Proper Tensioning Techniques

The correct tension keeps the belt aligned and in contact with the drive pulley, which is essential for effective power transmission. Maintaining proper tension can reduce slippage and uneven wear, extending the belt’s lifespan and preventing the need for premature replacement.

When designing and maintaining your conveyor system, plan for regular tension adjustments to accommodate changes in load and belt wear over time. Selecting the right tensioning mechanism, such as a screw or gravity take-up, can improve your system’s reliability and longevity.

Incorporate Effective Tracking Systems

Proper tracking helps the belt run straight and true along the conveyor path, reducing the risk of misalignment that can lead to wear and tear or even system downtime.

Tracking mechanisms, such as crowned pulleys, training idlers, and guide rollers, keep the belt aligned. Those systems automatically adjust the belt’s position, minimizing the need for manual intervention and maintenance.

Design for Easy Maintenance and Accessibility

When idlers, belts and other components are easily accessible, maintenance can be quicker and safer. That proactive approach to design helps to minimize downtime, reduce labor costs and keep your system running smoothly.

You can further simplify maintenance by incorporating inspection doors and modular components. Those design elements allow for quick inspections and replacements without dismantling large sections of the conveyor.

Conclusion

With thoughtful design, you can improve the productivity and lifespan of your belt conveyor system.

At Binkelman, we provide the expert guidance and high-quality parts you need to effectively implement those design strategies so your conveyor systems can operate at peak performance. Give your Account Rep a call today.

Imagine if your machines could talk. Well, with data analytics, they practically can. In industrial maintenance, data analytics transforms raw equipment and sensor data into actionable insights, optimizing maintenance strategies and boosting overall equipment performance.

Leveraging historical and real-time data can help you shift from reactive to proactive maintenance approaches. Using data to identify potential equipment issues before they cause failure can reduce unplanned, costly downtime. It’s as if your machines are telling you exactly what they need and when they need it.

At Binkelman, we’re experts at implementing and optimizing data-driven maintenance solutions. Our team can help you use tools like Flexco Elevate ® and Dodge Optify ™ to improve your maintenance strategies and operational processes. With the right data analytics, you’ll be able to understand what your machines are “saying” and respond effectively, keeping your production lines running smoothly and efficiently.

Ways to Use Data in Industrial Maintenance

Data analytics enables more efficient, cost-effective and proactive maintenance strategies. Key types of data-driven maintenance include:

Condition-Based Maintenance: This approach relies on real-time data from sensors to assess the current state of equipment. Data analytics helps determine the right time for maintenance based on the machinery’s actual condition, so you won’t waste your time doing maintenance when it isn’t necessary.

Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing historical and real-time data from sensors and machine logs, predictive maintenance uses data analytics to forecast when equipment is likely to fail. That allows maintenance teams to schedule repairs before issues become critical, reducing unplanned downtime and extending equipment life.

Prescriptive Maintenance:  This approach goes beyond predicting failures and recommends specific actions to optimize maintenance processes. Using advanced analytics, it calculates the potential effects of different operating conditions. That allows you to make proactive adjustments that extend equipment life and maximize performance.

Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM): RCM is helpful for prioritizing maintenance activities based on importance, especially when failure has high consequences. By analyzing potential failures and their impact on operations, you can develop maintenance strategies that maximize reliability and minimize risks.

The Data Analytics Difference

Data analytics isn’t just a theoretical concept – it’s transforming real-world industrial maintenance practices. Let’s look at a practical example:

Imagine a manufacturing plant that uses data analytics to monitor the performance of its critical machinery. Sensors installed on the equipment continuously collect data on temperature, vibration, and other key indicators. By analyzing this data in real time, the plant’s maintenance team can detect early signs of wear and potential failures. For instance, if the data shows an unusual increase in vibration levels, the team can investigate and address the issue before it leads to a costly breakdown.

At Binkelman, our customers face problems like conveyor belt cleaner interruptions, which can result in downtime and maintenance inefficiencies. By implementing a system like Flexco Elevate ®, our customers can leverage real-time data and predictive analytics to monitor belt cleaners continuously. A proactive system like that helps detect problems early and optimize maintenance routines. So, you can save time, money and improve safety, too.

Benefits of Using Data Analytics for Industrial Maintenance

Having the right data can provide you with many advantages:

Reduced Downtime: Anticipate equipment failures before they occur. That way, maintenance teams can schedule repairs during planned downtime, minimizing production disruptions and maintaining consistent output levels.

Cost Savings: Be alerted to potential maintenance issues early, reducing overall maintenance costs and expenses associated with unplanned downtime, rush shipping of replacement parts and overtime labor.

Extended Equipment Lifespan: Detect early signs of wear and intervene with workload redistribution or component upgrades. Doing so can extend asset life and prevent premature replacements.

Optimized Resource Allocation: Gain insights into equipment performance and maintenance history so you can allocate your budget effectively. Data analytics can also help you manage your spare parts inventory and schedule maintenance personnel, minimizing waste and lowering operational costs.

Enhanced Safety: Identify potential safety hazards before an incident occurs. Then, you can take quick corrective actions, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall workplace safety.

Increased Operational Efficiency: Uncover hidden patterns, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies in your process. You can optimize production, implement lean manufacturing principles, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Disadvantages to Using Data Analytics for Industrial Maintenance?

One major challenge is the high initial cost of implementation. Investing in sensors, data analytics software, and the necessary infrastructure can be expensive. Also, there is sometimes a need for specialized knowledge in data science and machine learning, which can require seeking expert help.

While there are upfront costs, these systems often save you money in the long run.

Can the Software Integrate with Existing Systems?

Yes, data analytics software can integrate with existing systems, though the ease of integration can vary. While some systems may work smoothly with minimal adjustments, others might require customization or configuration for seamless data exchange and functionality. Despite these challenges, the benefits of an integrated data analytics system often justify the effort involved.

Can the Software Used Streamline Industrial Maintenance Tasks?

Yes, data analytics software can significantly streamline industrial maintenance tasks. They provide real-time performance analysis and predictive insights, enabling maintenance teams to address potential issues before they escalate into major problems.

Systems like Flexco Elevate® offer real-time monitoring and predictive analytics for belt cleaners, which help optimize maintenance activities. For example, Flexco provides a digital dashboard that allows teams to remotely monitor belt cleaner performance and receive alerts when maintenance is needed.

Conclusion

Data analytics has changed industrial maintenance, enabling companies to use proactive strategies that reduce downtime, cut costs, and extend equipment life. By leveraging real-time insights and predictive capabilities, you can optimize maintenance operations, improving efficiency and reliability across industrial processes.

At Binkelman, we understand the difference data analytics can make for your operations. Our team of experts can help you implement and optimize data-driven conveyor maintenance solutions that are right for your business. Improved efficiency is only a phone call away — 419-537-9333.

You may already know that there are many benefits to adhering to an industrial maintenance schedule. If there weren’t, we wouldn’t have wasted half a typewriter ribbon and an entire coffee break to write this article.

But just in case you forgot what some of those benefits are, take a look:

Maintenance History Tracking

If the only time you think about reactive maintenance is when the need arises, you may be shootin’ yourself in the foot. Or at least a toe or two. By tracking how often you conduct service and repairs on your machinery, you might start to notice patterns that allow you to predict failures before they lead to expensive downtime.

Track Involved Costs

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That can be an easy philosophy to adopt. But we’ve got news for ya’: it will break – eventually. By following industrial maintenance best practices – including sticking to a maintenance schedule – you can stay ahead of equipment failure and reduce unexpected downtime.

If you’re still having trouble justifying the time and expense of scheduled industrial maintenance, track the cost of reactive service and replacement, plus the related loss in productivity. Then, compare those numbers to what you pay for scheduled maintenance. You’re likely to cut your stress levels, too, when you build regular maintenance into your operation.

Utilize Technology

One of the best practices of industrial maintenance is taking full advantage of technology, including Flexco Elevate®. That’s a wireless platform that transfers data from devices attached to each of your Flexco cleaners to an online dashboard. It provides predictive, data-driven insights and allows for remote, real-time monitoring of your belt cleaners.

And then there’s OPTIFY™ by Dodge Industrial. It’s a monitoring platform that allows you to control your assets remotely. With OPTIFY, you use your own data to make real-time decisions about critical operations to cut downtime, while boosting safety and reliability.

Have Parts and Materials On-Site

A key to a successful industrial maintenance plan is staying stocked with the tools and replacement parts you need so you can service and repair machinery on time and keep it from falling into disrepair.

Knowing the maintenance schedule in advance allows you to purchase the parts, review any manuals or schematics, and secure any additional training you might need before taking on each job.

Document Your Processes

As with any serious effort, tracking your industrial equipment maintenance efforts allows you to measure your success, identify opportunities for improvement and easily maintain your program in the event of personnel change. Monitor the efficiency and general effectiveness of your activities. Seek feedback from staff members with the goal of always honing your process. And take advantage of digital tools to track data as accurately as possible.

Conclusion

If your business is like just about everyone else’s, you deal with enough variables to keep your team hoppin’. Committing to a scheduled industrial maintenance program can remove many of those variables and give you a much better chance at staying productive and profitable.

If your older, experienced team members are retiring and newer employees are harder to come by, we can be a great resource for scheduled – and unscheduled – maintenance. Contact the Binkelman Conveyor Services team and let us know how we can serve you.

When you’ve got a shiny, new facility or equipment, it’s easy to assume it will all stay shiny and new. But, of course, it won’t – unless you commit to an industrial preventive maintenance program.

Corrective maintenance is necessary when machinery breaks down, but preventive maintenance can reduce the need for corrective maintenance, while helping you avoid costly unscheduled downtime. And keeping downtime to a minimum prevents customer frustration and reputation damage, while making every hour more profitable.

How Important is Industrial Preventive Maintenance

Establishing an industrial preventive maintenance program produces benefits that save time and money. Here’s how.

  1. Preventive maintenance is typically less expensive than shutting down all or part of your operation to allow for an emergency replacement or repair.
  2. Unplanned downtime cuts into your profits almost immediately. If it disrupts your delivery schedules, it may also cost you customers and future revenue.
  3. Your employees can easily work around the regularly scheduled downtime that preventative maintenance requires, but sudden unplanned downtime can cause havoc within your company and down the supply chain.

Tips for Preventive Maintenance Programs at Your Business

Train and Retrain Teams

It’s important that your team is able to recognize inefficiencies and the need for equipment service or repairs before costlier, more complicated problems arise. That’s why regular team training on potential maintenance issues is a good investment, if only to give your staff the confidence they need to handle future problems.

When your culture promotes ongoing education and active improvement, your company, customers and employees will all benefit.

Use Software and Technology

Your Binkelman Account Rep can talk with you about the technology that simplifies ongoing preventive maintenance programs, including Flexco Elevate®. That’s a wireless platform that transfers data from devices attached to each of your Flexco cleaners to an online dashboard. It provides predictive, data-driven insights and allows for remote, real-time monitoring of your belt cleaners.

OPTIFY™ by Dodge Industrial is a monitoring platform that makes it easier to control your assets remotely. With OPTIFY, you use your own data to make real-time decisions about critical operations to cut downtime, while boosting safety and reliability.

Create Equipment Check and Maintenance Schedules

When developing an industrial preventive maintenance program, start by creating a log of all your equipment that can be proactively serviced. Then, determine how frequently that equipment should be inspected for signs of wear, the need for lubrication or replacement parts, etc. That timeline may be determined by the calendar or by the machine’s operating hours. Once that maintenance schedule is in place, follow it religiously.

Pinpoint Why Components and Equipment Fail

All parts and system will fail. It’s only a matter of time. But if you notice that the service life of certain equipment is consistently shorter than expected, it’s especially important to identify the underlying cause of the recurring failure.

For instance, do you need to replace conveyor belts more frequently than you should? If so, we can help you pinpoint the reason why, whether it’s improper tension, mistracking, misaligned pulleys, bad bearings or any other cause. Taking the time to find the source of the problem can save you time and money in the long run.

Stock Spare Parts

From batteries, bulbs and belts to filters, hoses and chain, there may be many parts you replace often throughout your operation. Keeping a good supply of those parts on hand will save you time when they inevitably fail.

We can set up an inventory management program to keep your shelves stocked and your equipment running with as little disruption as possible.

Conclusion

Binkelman is in business to help you succeed. That includes developing a practical preventive maintenance plan that works with your budget and schedule. Your Binkelman Account Rep will be happy to give you more details.

Conveyor belt problems are like bad cheese: they stink and they can really clog up your system.

But the experts on Binkelman’s Conveyor Maintenance team can help you through all sorts of trouble, including conveyor belt mistracking, blockages, material carryback, belt slipping, belt tears and splice separations. Comforting, right?

Tracking Issues

When your belt is out of alignment, you may notice that it’s running off at the head or tail pulley or that it’s pulling to one side of the conveyor. Mistracking can lead to several problems, from shortened service life due to uneven belt wear to shutting down the entire line.

Tracking issues are caused by:

Common Solutions

Blockages

A blockage is any obstruction that slows or stops a conveyor belt from efficiently moving products or materials from here to there. Blockages on a conveyor belt can damage the accumulating items and force a system shutdown.

Common Solutions

The Binkelman Conveyor Maintenance crew can prevent a conveyor belt problem like blockages by  inspecting your conveyors on a scheduled basis. We’ll keep it all movin’ for you.

Material Carryback

If some of the material on your conveyor belt is staying on your conveyor belt instead of completely discharging properly (or at the end of the conveyor), you’ve got a carryback issue. But you’re not alone. Carryback is one of the most common conveyor belt problems. It can lead to material waste, build-up under your line and idler, pulley and belt damage.

The problem can be caused by low-quality scrapers or scrapers that have been incorrectly installed.

Common Solutions

Belt Slippage

Conveyor belts that aren’t properly tensioned can fail. When they’re either too loose or too tight, belts can slip, leading to pricey problems with the belt or motor.

Regular conveyor inspections can alert you to impending slippage and related damage. A few things to look for:

Common Solutions

Belt Tears or Splice Separations

Improper splices, material build-up on pulleys and your material’s impact on the belt can all lead to rips, tears and splice separations in a conveyor belt, which can stop your operation in its tracks. But those problems can be prevented with regular inspections, the right types of splices and proper belt tensioning.

Common Solutions

What Should I Do If My Conveyor Belt Gets Damaged?

Ideally, you’ll never need to worry about actual damage. Partnering with our team for regular inspections and maintenance can reduce the chances of that. But if you ever do need emergency repairs, you can count on Binkelman for a quick response. Since we specialize in conveyor operations, we know what’s at stake and we’re committed to your success.

Conclusion

The solutions to any conveyor belt problems you may be having are a phone call away. Your Binkelman Account Rep and our Conveyor Maintenance team will work together to ensure that you stay up and running.

The small family farmers of a century ago could not have imagined how agriculture would change in the decades to come. And while some mourn the passing of those simpler times, no modern farmers can argue with the technology that’s made their efforts easier and yet more productive.

The improvements in conveyor belts are part of that technological growth. They’ve led to more efficient harvesting and sorting, as well as fewer labor-intensive tasks and reduced labor cost.

Binkelman’s partnership with Continental and our decades of focus on the agriculture industry make us a reliable source for the information, conveyor belts and related products you need.

Efficient Harvesting and Sorting

Conveyor belts make harvesting and transporting certain crops a relative breeze compared to older methods. They quickly but gently move fruits and vegetables from the field to a central sorting and packing site, resulting in less crop damage and faster time to market.

For example, with Continental’s premium bucket elevator and seed belts, you’ll enjoy precision positioning of potatoes. The exceptionally low electrical resistance and superior oil resistance properties of Pathfinder® Plus provide excellent operational safety and long life.

Designed to withstand harsh operating conditions, Pathfinder ®Plus is perfect for grain elevator, grain storage and grain transfer applications.

The tensile force required to break a 48-inch Pathfinder® 375 PIW belt is 180,000 pounds. Permanent elongation averages 0.8% at 100% of rated operating tension.

Count on Pathfinder® Plus for:

We can tell you more about the specific conveyor products that make harvesting and sorting more efficient.

Fewer Labor-Intensive Tasks

Finding reliable workers is not getting any easier, but by reducing your operation’s labor-intensive tasks, you may make working on your farm more appealing. Using conveyor systems to automate as many processes as possible can also make your farm more efficient and profitable.

Food Safety

Since conveyor belts can be set up in many agricultural environments, they can be used to quickly move all sorts of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains to sorting, processing and storage areas. Food-safe conveyor belts keep crops cleaner, reducing the chances of contamination and helping the farming operation stay compliant with relevant regulations. And when it comes right down to it, food safety should be everyone’s primary concern.

Reduced Labor Costs

Conveyor belts make a dramatic difference to farm workers, easing the intensity of their labor. The conveyors can also cut injuries caused by lifting and repetitive motions, keeping workers safer and on the job. That leads to fewer labor shortages and all the associated costs, which is an important benefit for the farm’s owners.

And since conveyors reduce the number of workers needed in the field, management can reallocate people to handle other important tasks, helping the operation to run more efficiently.

Precision Planting

With precision agriculture, farmers can use conveyor belts to plant seeds at the ideal depth and spacing. That allows the farm to make the best use of its resources, while encouraging optimal crop growth, higher yields and less waste.

Oil-Resistant Covers

Pathfinder® Plus and CONTI® Agriflex™ covers provide superior oil resistance. That’s important to combat the potentially damaging effects of whole and crushed soybeans, oily grains and mineral oil dust suppressant sprays.

CONTI® Agriflex,™ a new offering from Continental, uses a combination of compound and fabric reinforcement innovations to deliver superior results.

Conclusion

However you use conveyors in your agricultural operation, you can trust Binkelman’s experienced team to provide the belts and related parts you need. And our expert conveyor maintenance team can keep you running with both regularly scheduled service and emergency repairs.

Talk with your Binkelman Account Rep for details.

What if, sometime in the future, you’re on a big-time game show and the emcee asks you to name more than 15 types of industrial hoses and describe their applications?

If you don’t memorize this entire article now, you won’t be able to provide those answers then, which means you won’t win the his-and-hers motorbikes, and you’ll feel like a real dope on national TV.

Of course, knowing about industrial hoses and the environments they’re made for will help you on the job, too. So, take a look at this info below. And if you ever need assistance with any type of industrial hose down the road, you can always reach out to your pals at Binkelman.

Black industrial hoses on a table

Air and Water Hose

Despite their name, air hoses carry more than just air. They can also be used to transport water and mild chemicals. Since they’re made from durable rubbers, they’re strong and flexible and typically have a long service life.

Common uses:

Water hoses are basically the same as your garden hose at home, just larger and tough enough to handle higher internal pressures. The exterior needs to withstand rugged work sites, sunlight and ozone, too. Water hoses are often found in construction, agricultural and mining environments.

Common uses:

Chemical Hose

When transferring corrosive or otherwise hazardous materials, use a chemical-resistant hose. Made from a polyethylene base, chemical hose is reinforced with a synthetic material lining and a steel wire helix that maximizes its corrosion resistance, while allowing for easy function. It’s often used in the pharmaceutical and food processing industries.

The most common application for chemical hose is transferring acids and solvents.

Dock and Barge Hose

Work in a marine environment? You might need dock hoses. They’re heavy-duty suction and discharge hoses used to transfer materials from vehicles or containers on land into storage tanks on ships and barges and vice versa. The category of dock and barge hoses also includes heat-resistant molten sulfur hoses, as well as hot tar and asphalt hoses.

Dry Bulk Material Hose

Used to transfer both wet and dry bulk materials, dry bulk material hoses feature a static-dissipating tube that helps prevent cuts and abrasions. The hoses can be attached to a suction-powered, pneumatic-powered or gravity-powered material handling system.

Common uses:

Ducting Hose

Ducting and ventilation hoses are flexible, lightweight and highly abrasive. They’re used to remove the fumes and gases from different substances, as well as dust, sawdust, wood chips and shavings, loose bulk materials and granules.

Fire & Mill Hose

While both fire hoses and mill hoses can convey water, only fire hoses are tested and FM approved for use in fire-fighting environments. Fire hoses can also carry fire-retardant foam. Mill hoses are constructed differently than simple garden hoses in order to tolerate higher water pressure and harsher environments. Mill hoses are also more economically made than fire hoses.

Common uses:

Food Handling Hose

Obviously, adhering to high safety and sanitary standards is key with food and beverage hoses. Made of USDA and FDA-approved materials like synthetic rubber or PVC, food and beverage hoses are designed to transfer both solids and liquids.

Common uses:

Lay-flat Hose

As the name suggests, lay-flat hoses default to a flat state when not filled with water or another fluid. That makes them easy to roll and store when they’re not being used.

Common uses:

Material Handling Hose

Manufacturers, farmers and food processors all need to move large amounts of material from one place to another. That’s often accomplished with material handling hoses. To avoid clogging, the hoses must have a smooth, abrasion-resistant interior, along with a pressure or vacuum rating, plus good flexibility that allows the hoses to be positioned in tight spaces. Material handling hoses can also be designed to handle heavy-duty applications.

Common uses:

Mining Hose

There are several types of mining hoses. The type you need is determined by your application. Hard-wall suction hoses, for instance, are used for pumping and transferring abrasive slurry, gravel transfer, mineral processing and general material handling.

Oil Field and Petroleum Hose

These types of hoses need to be tough on the outside to withstand the rugged conditions found in drilling, production, refinery and delivery sites, and resilient on the inside to tolerate the chemicals they transport.

Common uses:

Steam Hose

Since working with steam is so dangerous, the hoses used to transfer it are designed to protect workers by tolerating extreme temperatures (up to 450°F) and high pressures (250 psi). Made of synthetic rubber, EPDM or metal, steam hoses are built to a higher safety factor, 10:1 rather than the standard 4:1. They’re used in refineries, chemical plants, shipyards and steel mills.

Common uses:

Teflon Hose

Teflon hose is also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE for short. Teflon hose is flexible, chemically resistant and able to repel water. It also has low-friction and electrical insulating properties.

Teflon hose is most commonly used as a liner for rubber hose or stainless steel braided hose.

Suction and Discharge Hose

Made with a variety of rubber compounds or PVC, suction and discharge hoses are semi-rigid and feature a metal or PVC spiral reinforcement that prevents collapsing. Suction and discharge hoses are used to vacuum liquid materials from a non-pressurized source.

Common uses:

Industrial Hoses Available at Binkelman Corporation

Every one of those industrial hose types (and others) are available now at Binkelman. And, of course, our in-house hose pros are ready to custom-build the hose assemblies you need to your precise specifications.

Contact your Binkelman Account Rep to place an order or for more details.

Since that fateful day in 1946 when Binkelman materialized fully formed from a large puff of smoke, we’ve been the region’s leading supplier of bearings.

“What kind of bearings?” you ask. How ‘bout ball, spherical, cylindrical, mounted, tapered, cam, linear and precision bearings, all from leading manufacturers? We also provide technical and application support to keep your bearings happy.

Common Types of Bearings: Advantages and Applications

Let’s do what that sub-head above suggests and learn about the most common types of bearings, their advantages and applications. C’mon! Bring your friends. It’ll be fun.

Ball Bearings

Do you have a load-bearing application that uses moving machine parts and requires reduced friction? Sounds like you need ball bearings. While they handle both radial and thrust loads well, they don’t tolerate heavy weight.

There are different types of ball bearings, too, including self-aligning ball bearings, deep-groove ball bearings and angular contact ball bearings. They’re all:

Applications

Among the most widely used bearings, ball bearings are found in products as varied as bikes and skateboards, vehicle transmissions, computer hard drives and medical equipment.

Trivia: Despite her last name, “I Love Lucy” star Lucille Ball wanted nothing to do with ball bearings. “They can all go to Hell,” she once shouted during a season two rehearsal.

Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Since their primary rolling element is a cylinder, the load carried by cylindrical roller bearings is distributed over a larger area. That allows the bearing to tolerate more weight. It’s that design, though, that makes the bearing best suited for radial loads, not thrust loads.

Applications

You’ll find cylindrical roller bearings all over the power generation and transmission industries. They’re in rotary dryers, cement processing equipment, and pulp and paper machinery. Our pals in the aggregate, mining and construction worlds rely on them, too.

Trivia: Discarded cylindrical roller bearings make terrific hamster wheels.

Tapered Roller Bearings

Since tapered roller bearings tolerate both radial and thrust loads and greater amounts of weight, they’re often used in the hubs of car wheels. Enjoy this concise list of some of their better qualities:

Applications

Our customers working in the agriculture, automotive, construction and mining industries use tapered roller bearings. They’re also found in aviation, railroad and wind energy environments.

Trivia: What’s the world’s greatest TV show? BattleBots, of course. When you’re watching in bemused horror as a pair of remote-controlled warriors beat the non-living tar out of each other, just know that there may be tapered roller bearings at work underneath their cold, metallic skin.

Double Row Bearings

Built with two single row bearings arranged back-to-back, double row bearings are the right choice when the load being carried is too heavy for a single bearing. Double rows can tolerate both axial and radial loads in either direction and in tilting moments. One drawback: Double row bearings are not self-lubricated since they’re not available with seals or shields.

Applications

Look for these beauties in the aerospace, military and food processing industries, as well as in medical, textile and photo processing environments.

Trivia: Because they’re wider, double row bearings are often bullied and, therefore, suffer with self-esteem issues.

Spherical Roller Bearings

Looking for dual-directional movement versatility? Who isn’t, right? Spherical roller bearings are what you need. They reduce the friction between two components and allow for misalignment.

Take your pick from sealed bearings or non-sealed/open bearings. While the self-lubricated sealed models tend to last longer, you’ll enjoy high load tolerance either way.

Applications

Spherical roller bearings are tough cookies. They’re designed to perform in severe conditions, including as part of mining and construction equipment, in the textile industry and directly on the surface of the sun.

Trivia: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has never – not once – awarded an Oscar to a spherical roller bearing. #Outraged

Discover Types of Bearings at Binkelman

Your Binkelman Account Rep can help you choose the bearings that are right for your applications, all while singing one of several catchy little tunes about inadequate lubrication.