ABHR spoke with Rod Howell to learn how Allied Grain Systems is using its range of custom designed belt trough conveyors.
Delivering commercial-scale grain handling projects is a complex task, and it’s one that Allied Grain Systems doesn’t shy away from.
It has almost 30 years of experience engineering and overseeing the construction of these projects.
Conveyors often play a key part in these projects, and are responsible for handling the storage, delivery, and movement of grain.
Rod Howell, a project engineer at Allied Grain Systems, told ABHR that this is why the company offers its own belt conveyors to incorporate into the company’s projects.
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“We’ve offered them for a number of years – since the business started,” he said.
“There are logistical benefits because of that. It shortens delivery times because we know exactly what we need. Anything we source internationally is done on a job-by-job basis, and we make use of the local market where we can.”
“It also gives us the ability to customise the conveyors for the customer. We work with them at the start of the project and can then use our in-house drafting and detailing teams to design it.”
The trough conveyors are designed to be reliable and continue running without issue for several years. The engineering team is conservative when it comes to designing equipment, using larger bearings and shafts to ensure the system is as reliable and durable as possible.
Howell said this is because the last thing a customer wants to deal with is equipment failure when unloading a train or moving product.
“A conveyor is only as strong as its weakest link,” he said.
“On the operational side of things, we provide guarding and covers for conveyors, along with emergency stop systems. We work closely with the electrical control systems to offer these to the customer.
“We’ve also simplified the design over the years, making it easier to maintain and require less maintenance. There’s a skirt system that can be adjusted, so if it begins to wear out, an operator can change it out quickly.”
The company’s manufacturing facility is in Young, NSW, with a second branch in Toowoomba, supported by a team of 60 employees. Here, the company can build equipment to the exact requirements of a project.
It also has several mobile teams that install and maintain equipment. These teams can also organise belt splicing and providing replacement parts.
Howell said the company has partnered with international manufacturers to provide specialised conveyors, including squeeze belt conveyors, drive over belt conveyors, drag chain conveyors and enclosed conveyor system.
“We also have a partner in the US that provides us with a full suite of sensors that we offer,” he said.
“It can track bearing temperature, belt drift, and you can set up limits so that you can detect potential issues before they escalate into safety problems.”
“Our customers have been really happy with our conveyors. The design hasn’t changed much over the years – it’s just become more reliable and improved productivity.”