What is a conveyor drum?
The cylindrical roller at each end of a conveyor. The drive drum transmits power to the belt, the tail drum guides and tensions it. A drum motor is a drive drum with the motor and gearbox built inside the shell.
What is a motorized conveyor drum?
A drum motor houses the motor and gearbox inside the conveyor drum itself. Everything is sealed within the roller, so there is no external motor, gearbox, chain or guard hanging off the side of the frame.
What type of motor is best for a conveyor belt?
It depends on the environment. Drum motors suit hygiene and space constrained applications because they are sealed and compact. External geared motors suit heavy duty applications where high torque and easy access for maintenance matter more.
What are the different types of conveyor motors?
Broadly three: drum motors built into the roller, external geared motors driving through a coupling or chain, and shaft mounted gearboxes fitted directly to the drive shaft. Each suits a different combination of duty, space and access.
What are the advantages of a drum motor over an external drive?
Fewer exposed moving parts, a smaller footprint, no chain or belt to tension, better hygiene for washdown areas and lower noise. On food and packaging lines those usually outweigh the higher unit cost.
What size drum motor do I need?
Sizing works from belt width, belt speed, the load carried and the incline. Send those figures along with the conveyor frame dimensions and we will specify the diameter, speed and power.
Can drum motors run at variable speed?
Yes, using an inverter drive to control belt speed. Specify inverter duty at the point of ordering rather than adding a drive to a fixed speed unit later.
What maintenance does a drum motor need?
Very little, which is much of the appeal. There is no external chain or belt to adjust. Oil changes at the manufacturer's interval, plus periodic checks on the mounting and the electrical connection, are usually the extent of it.
Why is oil leaking from my drum motor?
Almost always a failed shaft seal, often because bearing wear has let the shaft move. Stop and repair rather than topping up, because once the oil level drops the internal gearing and bearings wear rapidly.
What lagging options are available on a drum motor?
Rubber and other lagging can be bonded to the shell to improve belt grip and tracking, which matters on inclined conveyors or where wet or dusty material reduces friction.
Can a drum motor be repaired?
Yes. Both workshops have extensive experience overhauling motorised drums, covering bearings, seals, internal gearing and rewinds. Repair is usually a fraction of the cost of a new drum.
How do I match a replacement drum motor to my existing one?
Send the make, model and dimensions, or a photograph of the nameplate. We match shell diameter, face width, speed and power to a current equivalent, and can machine adaptors where the mounting differs.
