Conveyor OEM Delivers High-Efficiency Belt Cleaning
An innovative Midwest manufacturer is specifying high-efficiency belt cleaners for its standard and custom-designed conveyors, delivering premium performance and longevity, even in difficult service environments. TCI Manufacturing and Equipment includes one or more belt cleaners from Martin Engineering on every model in its broad line of stacking conveyors, transfer conveyors, barge loaders, trippers and floating conveyors, as well as specially-engineered designs.
“We have a reputation for durable, high-quality equipment, and we apply that mindset to all components,” explained TCI President Mike Maynard. “We specify Martin Engineering belt cleaners to deliver reliable and efficient cleaning over a long service life, and our customers appreciate the easy removal and replacement when it comes time for maintenance,” he observed.
TCI has been supplying Martin Engineering belt cleaners as OEM equipment for more than a decade. Regardless of the type or size of the conveyor, TCI equips all of its models with the Martin® PV™ Cleaner as a primary cleaning blade. The durable, one-piece construction contains approximately 20 percent more urethane than comparable primary cleaners, yielding a better life and longer service intervals, despite challenging service conditions. The aggressive design is able to remove even wet, sticky sand from belts 18-72 inches (450-1800 mm) wide.
Engineered to simplify maintenance and reduce costs, the mounting system delivers “no-tool” replacement, as the blades are simply dropped into place and secured with a wire lock pin. “This cleaner uses an aggressive angle of attack to the belt for improved cleaning efficiency,” explained Martin Engineering Senior Product Specialist Dave Mueller. “And the quick-replacement feature means never having to deal with corroded bolts or damaged fasteners during blade changes.”
The PV Cleaner can be outfitted with a number of different urethane blades to suit specific operating conditions, including high temperatures or chemical / solvent exposure, as well as a low-adhesion formulation for tacky materials. They feature the company’s patented Constant Angle Radial Pressure (CARP) design for consistent cleaning throughout all stages of blade life. The specially-engineered curved blade maintains the same contact angle, even as the belt wears, helping to retain cleaning efficiency.
When a customer’s application requires a secondary belt cleaner, TCI typically installs the Martin Durt Hawg® DH2, an effective, economical design with urethane arms to absorb the forces of passing belt splices. The result is stress relief for both the belt and the cleaning edge. Available with tungsten carbide, stainless steel or mild steel inserts, the Durt Hawg can also be outfitted with different blade formulations to match specific materials or conditions. It is suitable for use on belts from 18 inches (45.7 cm) to 96 inches (243.8 cm) wide.
“Our customers have been very satisfied with the Martin belt cleaners,” Maynard said. “We install them on everything from the most basic transfer conveyors to the most complex custom-engineered designs.
“There are three primary reasons,” he continued. “Number one is quality and performance. We’ve always been satisfied with the Martin product line. There’s also a loyalty factor. We believe in working with suppliers who have the same values we do, and loyalty is a character trait that we value very highly. Proximity is an added benefit: Martin Engineering is close enough to us that we can quickly obtain components in an emergency.”
As a longstanding customer, TCI has had occasion to enlist Martin Engineering’s extensive technical support network, which can be critical in solving problems for its customers in a timely fashion. “They are always ready and available to assist us when an issue arises,” Maynard added. “They will travel to a customer site to investigate problems and help us address them. We appreciate the fact that Martin stands behind its products and works with us to achieve complete customer satisfaction. It’s a relationship that has been very valuable to us over the years.”
TCI Manufacturing & Equipment Sales is one of the nation’s leading suppliers of conveying systems, high-frequency screens, portable and stationary screening plants, vibratory feeders, bins and hoppers, with complete fabrication services and custom engineering. The firm also offers a complete line of replacement and wear parts. After completing a 26,000 square foot manufacturing expansion in 2008, TCI is in the process of adding an additional 32,500 square feet of space to accommodate growing customer demand. The new expansion will feature more tooling and overhead cranes to help increase production capabilities and efficiency, as well as 4,000 square feet of new office space.