Diverter Plough for Belt Conveyor System

If you've ever wanted to remove material from your operating conveyor without the hassle and cost of shutting it down, a diverter plough (DP & or plough discharger) might be just what you need.

Whether you're looking to use your crushing plant for manufacturing road base, need to remove contaminated or low-quality material before it reaches storage bins, want to handle material in case of a breakdown, or aim to divert some material into a ground bin, installing a DP can offer a cost-effective and timely solution.

plough discharger

How Diverter Plough Works?

MNSTACKER' diverter plough is designed to fit onto your existing conveyor belt structure and can be raised or lowered as needed. This allows normal conveyor operation to continue even when the DP is not in use. When the DP is not needed, it stays raised, letting material pass underneath without interference.

When activated, the DP blade lowers onto the belt while the support system underneath changes the belt from a trough shape to a flat shape. This allows the blade to lightly touch the belt across its entire width, ready to divert material off the belt surface.

As material impacts the blade in a steady stream, the DP pushes it to one or both sides of the conveyor into discharge chutes.

plough discharger

Design Considerations

DP blades are typically made of hardened steel, engineered plastics, or polyurethane. The material of the blade is crucial as it needs to be wear-resistant yet gentle enough not to damage the conveyor belt.

Choosing the right blade depends on:

• The speed of the conveyor belt
• The volume of material being conveyed
• The destination of the diverted material

Double-sided blades can handle higher material flow rates compared to single-sided blades, but they usually require additional chutes and structures, increasing costs.

The DP design also includes a belt support system. This system consists of transition and flat idler rollers that shape the belt from a trough to a flat profile when engaged. A mechanical energy source, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor, lifts the belt.

plough discharger

Discharge Chutes

Discharge chutes are installed to catch the material diverted by the blade over the sides of the flattened belt. They guide the material to a suitable discharge location below the conveyor structure. Common discharge points include loading points on another conveyor, storage bins, stockpiles, or a dump truck parked below the discharge chute.