Chip-Out & Part-Out Conveyor Service

A Chip-Out or Part-Out conveyor earns its keep by running continuously, so keeping it serviced is what keeps your process moving. Good housekeeping and a steady maintenance program greatly extend the service life of the equipment. This guide covers safe operation, belt adjustment, and the overload protection built into these systems. For the full maintenance schedule, troubleshooting table, and replacement parts, see our steel belt conveyor parts & service guide, which applies to the same welded hinge belt platform.

Safe Operation: Lock Out First

Before any maintenance or repair, tag out and lock all sources of power to the conveyor. Never operate the machine without reading the manual, never run it with a guard or emergency stop missing, and never service it without locking out all electrical controls under OSHA-compliant procedures. Report any impairment of guards, emergency stops, or safety switches before running the line.

Loading & Operation

The conveyor should provide continuous movement of the material charged onto it. Load material at a constant rate that matches the conveyor’s speed and size. Overloading or surge loading beyond the designed volume is the leading cause of jams, which can damage belt and frame components. If the conveyor stops for any reason, halt the flow of material immediately, and never let material build up at the discharge end or under the return side of the belt.

Belt Adjustment Procedure

Correct belt tension protects the belt pins, side chain, and sprockets. Back off the jam nuts on the take-up bolt, then turn the take-up bolt equally on both sides until the belt moves smoothly without binding, sagging, or wandering side to side, then retighten the jam nuts. Belts run too tight show pulsation or surge and wear the belt pins, side chain, and sprockets; belts run with correct tension flex slightly at the hinged joint as they leave the tail sprockets. Choosing the right take-up design makes this far easier to hold over time.

Overload Protection

Chip-Out and Part-Out systems are protected against overloads and jams by one or more devices. The torque limiter slips when a severe overload occurs — the roller-chain sprocket slips between spring-loaded friction discs until the jam clears; if it slips under normal load, clear the conveyor, load it normally, and tighten the adjusting nut until it runs without slipping. The shock overload relay is an electronic safeguard that trips on a severe overload or jam, protecting the machinery from costly downtime. Its features include an electronic shear-pin function, independent start and trip delay settings, overload and phase-loss protection, a visual setting and trip indicator, fail-safe protection, and maintenance-free wiring with no mechanical connection required. For the full range of devices, see overload and jamming protection.

Keep It Running

Follow the preventative-maintenance cadence — tension checks in the first week and first 30 days, monthly reducer-oil and lubrication checks, and an annual belt-off inspection. When wear catches up, Transcon supplies OEM replacement parts and rebuilds conveyors back to like-new condition. These systems often run alongside dedicated chip removal and scrap handling conveyors on the same line.