Quick answer: Setting up a bottomless side belt transfer conveyor takes five steps: position it at the end of the upstream conveyor with 110VAC nearby, level it so no foot rocks, match the floor rails to the upstream conveyor height with no bump, set belt height and confirm the two belts are parallel with a straight edge, then use the crank handle to set the grip so a container is firm but not dented. Finish with a test run at a belt speed slightly faster than the machine feeding it.
Most problems people have with a transfer conveyor, crooked codes, tipped bottles, containers bunching at the entrance, come back to setup. Here's the sequence from the CE-TRA-37 operation manual, in order.
1. Position and power
Put the conveyor where it's needed, typically at the end of another conveyor. You'll need 110VAC electricity near the electrical box. Leave yourself room to reach the crank handle and the speed control.
2. Level the machine
Make sure all four feet are firmly on the floor so the machine doesn't teeter or rock. This matters more than it seems: any movement can cause misalignment, which shows up later as inconsistent grip and off-center codes.
3. Match the transfer height
Adjust the height of the floor rails to match the floor height of the conveyor upstream, and level the floor rails. Be careful not to create a bump where containers transfer from one conveyor to the next. As the manual puts it, the smoother the transition, the fewer the problems downstream. Then set the gap between the conveyance belts a little wider than your container, run a container through to check the transition, and tighten the floor rails down.
4. Set belt height and parallelism
- Set the belts to engage the container just above the center of its height, allowing for your container's geometry. Keep the belts near the center of the container.
- Set an equal distance from the frame members to the bottom of the conveyor plates, so the belts stay level and parallel to the machine frame.
- Use a straight edge or level between the two belts to get them perfectly parallel.
- Check that the top surfaces of the two belt covers are precisely aligned. This is important to belt life and consistent operation. Adjust one or both, then gently tighten all the fasteners.
5. Set the grip
Set a container at about the middle of the conveyor and use the crank handle to bring the belts in until they just lightly touch the sides. Slide it forward and backward: there should be equal resistance throughout the gap. Make any tiny adjustment needed.
Then move the container between the pulleys at the feed end and adjust the belts inward so they have an adequate hold: not tight enough to dent in the sides, but firm enough that it would be difficult to pull the container out.
6. Test run
Turn the conveyor on and let it run a while. With setup done, the only variable left is belt speed. Run it a little faster than the machine feeding it, so a gap opens between containers instead of letting them bunch at the entrance. The recommended sequence: turn on the machine that feeds the conveyor, set it to normal production speed, then set the transfer conveyor just a little faster. Write the setting down. Production supervisors who keep a sheet of machine settings cut their setup time on the next run.
Setup troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Containers bunch at the entrance | Belt speed at or below the upstream machine | Raise belt speed slightly above the feeding machine |
| Containers tip at the transition | Bump or height mismatch at the transfer | Re-level floor rails to the upstream conveyor height |
| Grip feels tight in one spot, loose in another | Belts not parallel | Straight edge across both belts; realign and retighten fasteners |
| Container sides dented | Belts too tight | Back off the crank handle until firm but not deforming |
| Machine rocks or shifts | Feet not level | Level until all four feet are firm with no teeter |
| Codes land crooked | Container rotating or slipping between belts | Check equal resistance through the gap and belt tension |
Always lock out power before adjusting or servicing the machine.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install a bottomless side belt transfer conveyor?
Position it where it's needed, typically at the end of another conveyor, with 110VAC power near the electrical box. Level the machine so all four feet sit firmly on the floor, match the floor rail height to the upstream conveyor, set the belt gap slightly wider than your container, set belt height and parallelism, then set the grip with the crank handle and test with a container.
How high should the gripper belts sit on the container?
Set the belts so they engage the container just above the center of its height, though your container geometry may dictate otherwise. Keep the belts near the center of the container, and set an equal distance from the frame members to the bottom of the conveyor plates so the belts stay level and parallel to the machine frame.
How do I check that the two belts are parallel?
Use a straight edge or level between the two belts, then use the straight edge to check that the top surfaces of the two belt covers are precisely aligned with each other. This matters for belt life and consistent operation. Adjust one or both if needed, then gently tighten all the fasteners that hold the belts in place.
How do I know the belts are gripping correctly?
Set a container in the middle of the conveyor and crank the belts in until they lightly touch the sides. Slide the container forward and backward: resistance should be equal throughout the gap. At the feed end, adjust inward until the belts have an adequate hold, not tight enough to dent the sides but firm enough that it would be difficult to pull the container out.
What speed should I run the transfer conveyor?
Set it a little faster than the machine feeding it, whether that's a bottle orientator, filler or capper. Running slightly faster creates a gap between containers rather than letting them bunch up at the entrance. Turn the upstream machine on first, set it to normal production speed, then set the transfer conveyor just above it and note the setting for future setups.
Why do containers bunch up or tip at the transfer?
Most often the belt speed is too slow relative to the machine feeding the conveyor, or there's a bump at the transfer point. Recheck that the floor rails match the height of the upstream conveyor and are level, that the feet are firm with no rocking, and that belt speed is set slightly above the upstream machine.
Does the machine need to be bolted down?
The manuals call for leveling the machine so all four feet are firmly on the floor and the machine does not teeter or rock. Verify the feet are firmly positioned and don't rock, since movement can cause misalignment.
Talk to us about your line
Tell us your container size and shape, your line speed and what you need to code or inspect, and we'll tell you which transfer conveyor fits. Call 866-888-6327 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm CST), email sales@clevelandequipment.com, or see the CE-TRA-37 bottomless side belt transfer conveyor.