Martin Engineering Blog

1, 2, 3 Strikes You're Out, Carryback!

Written by Chelsea Blake | May 6, 2021 2:30:00 PM

After sitting at my son's baseball tournament all last weekend, "3 strikes you're out" is still ringing in my ears. "Strike 3" is great to hear when you're a pitcher and not so great to hear when you're up to bat. It got me thinking about how 3 strikes can be a positive thing in the bulk materials handling industry. Hear me out...

note: he did not strike out ⚾😉

Carryback is a very common nuisance in our industry. I relate it to the ever-loud and ever-chanting baseball team from last weekend (I know the kids are having fun but can a busy mom just get one moment of silence?!) or the lingering pain from that first sunburn of the season (yep, check that off for me!). Anyway, carryback leads to more than just an annoyance to those around it. Carryback leads to loss of material, decreased productivity, increased maintenance activity and costs, and safety hazards for those cleaning it up.

Let's Play Ball ⚾

A Belt Cleaning System is at the mound and Carryback is at the plate.
  • The first pitch...a primary belt cleaner. Strike 1!
  • The second pitch...a secondary cleaner. Strike 2!
  • The third pitch...a tertiary cleaner. Strike 3!

3 strikes and you're out, carryback! 

note: 4 belt cleaners were necessary for this operation

Striking Out Carryback

If you are struggling with carryback removal or encountered a bad hop with a previous belt cleaner, you need to install an All-Star

  • Start with your Ace, a
Primary cleaners are installed on the face of the head pulley to remove stuck-on material and return it to the main material stream, preventing loss of material and the need for manual cleanup.
  • Next, take your Relief Pitcher, a , out of the bullpen
Secondary cleaners are installed at the point where the belt leaves the discharge pulley and specialize in removing any residual material the primary cleaner left on the belt.
  • Lastly, bring in your Closer, a tertiary cleaner.

Belt cleaners in the tertiary position or beyond are additional secondary cleaners that remove small, stubborn fines that a primary or secondary cleaner couldn't completely remove during the first pass due to wet/sticky material or poor operating conditions.

Just as a pitcher has to adapt to varying strike zones, a belt cleaner should be matched to the material path to ensure optimal cleaning. Sizing the belt cleaner blade width to the width of material will prevent uneven wear and the dreaded issue of having your belt cleaner "smile at you." 

By properly selecting and installing an adequate belt cleaning system, you can effectively remove carryback. Can of corn!  It is baseball season, so get your peanuts and crackerjack and enjoy it.