Shiftable Belt Conveyors
Shiftable Belt Conveyors for use in mining operations includes a conveyor having a Conveyor Belts and a longitudinal and a lateral axis. A vehicle for shifting the conveyor system in a lateral direction includes an arm for engaging the conveyor and for applying lateral shifting forces to the conveyor. The conveyor system includes a series of skids spaced along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor and aligned parallel with the lateral axis of the conveyor. A pair of side rails are positioned on opposing ends of the series of spaced apart skids. The side rails are pivotally connected to the skids to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween. The side rails also receive the lateral forces from the arm of the vehicle and translate the shifting forces exerted by the arm into lateral movement of the skids. A plurality of rigid conveyor modules are positioned between the side rails and above the skids to support the conveyor belt. Coupling is provided between each of the conveyor modules and an associated pair of skids to permit lateral displacement of these skids as the arm on the vehicle transmits the shifting forces to one of the side rails.
Continuous haulage of coal and overburden by conveyor belts in open pit mining is a key to profitability. To follow mining face advancement and constantly shifting the backfilling overburden operations, the conveyor systems need to be periodically repositioned.