Conveyor systems are one of the hardest-working components in industrial recycling and material handling operations.

At Black River Trading, two of our technicians recently completed a rebuild on a Karl Schmidt drag chain conveyor belt, restoring the system with a completely new belt assembly and all new hardware throughout the chain and cleat system.


Why Drag Chain Conveyors Matter

Drag chain conveyors are commonly used in:

  • recycling facilities
  • industrial material handling systems
  • baler feed systems
  • shredder applications
  • OCC and scrap handling operations

These conveyors are designed to move heavy material consistently under demanding operating conditions.

Because they operate continuously under load, wear over time is expected.



What Was Replaced During the Conveyor Rebuild

This conveyor rebuild included:

  • complete drag chain belt replacement
  • new chain hardware installation
  • replacement and reassembly of conveyor cleat hardware
  • inspection of wear components and system integrity

Replacing worn conveyor chains and hardware helps restore proper material flow and reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns.



Why Conveyor Maintenance Is Important

Conveyor systems directly impact:

  • material flow consistency
  • baler feed performance
  • shredder throughput
  • overall production efficiency

When conveyor components wear excessively, operations can experience:

  • uneven tracking
  • material jams
  • excessive strain on drive components
  • increased downtime

Routine maintenance and rebuild work help extend equipment life and maintain safe operation.



Supporting Industrial Conveyor Systems

At Black River Trading, we support conveyor systems across a wide range of industrial recycling applications.

This includes:

  • drag chain conveyors
  • steel belt conveyors
  • rubber belt conveyors
  • infeed and transfer conveyors
  • baler and shredder feed systems

Our focus is restoring reliability and ensuring systems continue operating safely and efficiently.



The BRT Approach

Rebuilding conveyor systems is about more than replacing parts.

It’s about:

  • restoring material flow
  • improving reliability
  • reducing downtime
  • supporting long-term performance

This recent Karl Schmidt drag chain conveyor rebuild is another example of the kind of detailed work our team performs every day.



Final Thought

Heavy-duty conveyor systems are critical to industrial recycling operations.

When the chain, cleats, and hardware begin to wear, performance suffers.

Proper rebuilds restore the system and help keep material moving the way it should.

Rebuilding a Karl Schmidt Drag Chain Conveyor Belt

Rebuilding a Karl Schmidt Drag Chain Conveyor Belt