When Is It Time to Replace Your Conveyor System?

It happens in every facility. Your conveyor system that was working well just a few years ago is now failing left and right. Every week, it feels like you’re calling around to find spare parts and stopping operations to get your system up and running again. If this description is hitting a little too close to home, it might be time for a conveyor replacement.

But how do you know it’s the right time? You don’t want to spend money on a premature replacement, so what signs should you be on the lookout for if replacement is on your mind? 

We’ve got all the answers you need; just read on.

Signs That You Need a Conveyor Replacement

Given proper maintenance, the average life of conveyor belts can be years, if not decades. Unfortunately, this kind of equipment won’t last forever. If you’re entering the busy season or planning for the next year, replacing your conveyor system might be in your upcoming plans.

While your gravity conveyor or powered conveyor system may be operating in pristine condition, that might not last. If your attention is on more complex and expensive equipment, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of your conveyor system. But, when it goes down, it can bring operations to a screeching halt.

This leads to downtime, lost revenue and unhappy customers. Being proactive in maintenance can get you very far, but when it comes time to replace your conveyor system, you should see a few clear signs, which we describe below:

Spare Parts Become Hard to Find

Technology changes. The make and model of conveyor you have may be great, but the manufacturer may offer a newer model — making your model obsolete.

You may still get some great use out of your system, but when parts start to fail, which they will, you won’t have the parts you need to fix everything up. Moreover, the inability to keep critical parts in stock can lead to operational downtime. This is a common issue with industrial machinery. If you’re struggling to find parts, you still can try a few things:

• Connect with the manufacturer; some newer parts may be suitable substitutes.
• Reach out to equipment repair services that may have the parts in stock.
• Ask used equipment retailers.

If you’ve exhausted your options, it’s probably time for a conveyor replacement. Moreover, constant parts replacement and downtime results in expensive repair bills and a loss of facility revenue. 

Normal Wear and Tear

Even if your team takes excellent care of your machine, parts won’t last forever. Just like a car with 300,000 miles on the odometer is knocking on death’s door, if your conveyor is about to round out two decades, you can expect some parts are about ready to fail.

Those parts could include:

• Drive motors
• Belts
• Tracks
• Etc.

The average life of a conveyor belt can be quite a while, but eventually, it will fail. Working with an older system is a ticking time bomb. Failure might not happen today, but when it does, it means a stop in the workday, emergency fixes and a scramble for replacement parts.

Efficiency Becomes an Issue

Today’s modern warehouses are much more efficient and complex than facilities from just a few decades ago. It’s not just more efficient equipment; it’s also warehouse management software and other tech-heavy advances.

Businesses can move materials faster and cheaper than ever before, and that’s thanks to changes in equipment technology. If you’re looking to reduce operational costs, selecting a more efficient conveyor system may be part of the answer. It can help you maximize productivity and keep your business modern for years to come.

Growth or Expansion

While failing parts and broken systems are some tell-tale signs that you need a conveyor replacement, sometimes it’s a simple matter of growth or expansion. If your current conveyor system is struggling to keep up with changing products and more demand, replacement is a matter of efficiency rather than failure.

So, when should you consider replacing your conveyor if growth is on your mind? 

• When planning a facility expansion
• If designing and building out complex systems like a new pick module
• Warehouse relocation

If you’re planning for growth, you may need to replace your conveyor with one that can handle more work. If you’re relocating your facility, it may not be a requirement but perhaps a smart move to go ahead and update your conveyor. 

Quality Used Conveyor Systems

Whether you need a powered, gravity or flex conveyor system, East Coast Storage Equipment is here to help.CONTACT US

Should You Buy New or Used?

Now that you know when replacing your conveyor is the right choice, you still have a few decisions to make. The first is whether you want to buy new or used. While it might seem like you’re cutting years off your conveyor’s lifespan by buying used, that’s not always the case.

When buying used, look for and expect:

• More affordable prices for top-quality equipment
• Equipment that is just as durable as new stock
• The same level of customer service

The trick is partnering with a high-quality supplier. For that, you can’t go wrong with East Coast Storage Equipment. Not only do we carry a large selection of both gravity and powered conveyors, but we can help with everything from facility planning to installation.

Getting the Equipment You Need with East Coast Storage Equipment

If you’re thinking about a conveyor replacement, hopefully, you now have a firmer understanding of the signs of a failing system. Most of the time, it’s more of a matter of efficiency and productivity than a system that just won’t work. Parts become harder to find, repairs become more frequent and systems underperform relative to newer technology.

Regardless of your reasoning, East Coast Storage Equipment is ready to help you find your next conveyor system. Reach out today to connect with one of our storage equipment experts.