More about Material Handling Equipment

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Material handling equipment is used to transport materials, such as ores, while still in their loose bulk form. Material handling equipment is often found on ports for the purpose of unloading ores, cereals and minerals. They are also found on mine sites and in processing facilities, such as iron and steel refineries.

One example of material handling equipment is conveyors. Conveyers are often referred to as conveyer belts or belt conveyors. They are made of two end pulleys with a continuous loop of rotating material feeding through them. The pulleys themselves are powered, thereby moving the belt. This form of material handling equipment is used to transport materials such as coal, ores, and grains. They are often found in live bottom trucks and in self-unloading bulk freight trucks. Conveyer belts that have evenly spaced partitions are often referred to as elevator belts.

Stackers are another form of material handling equipment. Stackers are large machines that stack bulk material onto a stockpile. Stackers usually travel on a rail that runs between stockpiles inside a stockyard. Typically, stackers can move in three directions. Of course, this includes horizontally along the rail. It also includes moving vertically and rotationally. Most stackers today are completely automated.

Another type of material handling equipment is the reclaimer. These devices work closely with stackers. Reclaimers are also large pieces of machinery. They are used to recover bulk material that has been placed in a stockpile. Reclaimers often use bucket wheels to recover the material from stockpiles and, like stackers, are capable of moving horizontally, vertically, and rotationally. The majority of reclaimers used today are computer automated.

Hoppers are also a type of material handling equipment. Hoppers are wide, bin-like entries that help feed bulk materials into other machines. Generally, a hopper is open at the top and it tapers at the bottom to assist with feeding the machine.