Tumble-back conveyors made in the USA

Our conveyor manufacturing process

We build the most rugged and durable conveyors on the planet. Each tumble-back conveyor is designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States to your exact specifications. We combine cutting-edge facilities with seasoned technical expertise to optimize each conveyor for longevity and seamless performance. 

Here are some details about our facility and process:

1. Manufacture: we use the highest-quality materials and components in our conveyors.
1. Frame material: ASTM A36 steel
2. Tubing thickness: 3/16-inch wall rectangular tubing
3. Side construction: 1/4-inch formed steel pan sides
4. Structural supports: 25–35 lb rail track
5. Hardware: grade 8
6. Gussets: 10 gauge steel gusset plates
7. Welding: MIG welded connections
8. Finish: rugged powder-coated corrosion-resistant finish. Want to match your existing equipment or corporate branding? We can powder coat your conveyor in your precise custom color. During design, simply provide us with the RAL color number or a paint color chip sample.
2. Facility: our 85,000-square-foot manufacturing factory utilizes the latest precision fabrication tools, such as CNC machining and automated braking. This high-tech process generates industry-leading tolerances resulting in precise, flawless tumble-back systems.
3. Talent: our team boasts over 100 years of combined conveyor manufacturing experience. Every welder is certified to stringent standards. 
4. Quality control: each conveyor is meticulously assembled and inspected to exceed stringent quality benchmarks. Before shipping, conveyors undergo over 10 hours of performance testing. We examine weld strength, alignment, tracking, speed, and electrical systems so your Fluent conveyor system arrives ready to deliver optimal uptime and throughput from day one.

Our conveyors are built to withstand the harshest operating environments and most demanding applications.

Designed and built to CEMA standards

Our conveyor solutions adhere to the highest industry norms for safety, setup, and functionality. We meticulously design, engineer, and produce our equipment in line with the standards established by the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA), ensuring compliance across several key areas:

• Conveyor alignment and belt tracking tolerances
• Reducer/motor base installation
• Flexible coupling alignment
• Balanced belt tensioning
• Electrical safety requirements
• Conveyor run-in procedures
• Chain and sprocket specifications
• Noise reduction methods
• Conveyor inclines and curving
• Safety label placement
• Maintenance procedures
• Equipment specifications
• Installation practices
• Belt ratings and capacities
• Startup procedures
• Bearing selection and load ratings
• Lubrication methods
• Guarding principles
• Lockout/tagout protocols
• Troubleshooting techniques
• Mechanical engineering expertise
• Structural fabrication methods
• Precision alignment best practices
• Idler adjustment guidance

Our dedication to aligning with CEMA's standards guarantees that our clients get conveyor systems of the highest quality, marked by safety, efficiency, and dependability. Upholding these standards forms a fundamental part of our mission to provide advanced material handling technologies.

Custom conveyor control panels

Fluent Conveyors buildscustom control systems (UL 508A listed) for our conveyors. These include customized HMIs or operator consoles, full PLC integration, and other customization.

What customization options do you offer for tumble-back conveyors?

We allow total customization of our tumble-back conveyors and conveyor systems.

• Size. Custom widths from X" to X". Custom lengths for any application. Height can also be customized.
• Drive power. Horsepower options to match load and throughput requirements. 
• Drive electrical specs. The voltage, phase, enclosure type, service factor, efficiency level, and other electrical specifications of the motor can be customized as needed.
• Drive brand. Brand options include Nord, Dodge, and SEW.
• Features. Guards, cleats, hoppers, transitions, walkways, maintenance access, dust control.
• Controls. VFDs, PLC integration, I/O, custom control panels, remote access.
• Safety. Guarding, e-stops, pull cords, plates, halo lights, alarms, wireless safety.
• Paint color. Match any RAL color or physical sample provided.
• Components. Upgrade bearings, shafts, pulleys, and rollers for application.
• Materials handled. Engineered for specific material types and conditions.
• Compliance. Meet any state, local, or other regulatory requirements.
• Documentation. Custom drawings, models, and operating manuals per application.

All our conveyors are built with thick-walled structural steel to perform for years in all types of applications. 

What is a tumble-back conveyor?

A tumble-back conveyor is a chain belt conveyor equipped with a rubber combination belt and configured at a 60-degree angle. The steep incline meters the flow when feeding materials into a shredder, hammer mill, or other processing equipment. 

This type of chain belt conveyor causes excess or oversized material to fall or “tumble back” to the bottom of the conveyor. Properly portioned material is carried over the incline and fed into other recycling equipment. The metering process evenly distributes material and prevents it from overwhelming the system on the receiving end.

Tumble-back conveyors feed equipment at a consistent rate, maximizing production and preventing overfeeding or jamming.

Here are some of the benefits of using a tumble-back conveyor:

• Regulates product flow
• Prevents jams
• Maximizes production
• Reduces labor costs

If you are considering a tumble-back conveyor, our engineers are happy to talk to you about which configuration will meet your needs.

Tumble-back conveyor industries

Tumble-back conveyors are features of any industry that requires controlled metering, from recycling to manufacturing. Specific use cases include:

• Mining: ore from mines to processing plants.
• Construction: aggregate from stockpiles to mixing plants.
• Manufacturing: raw materials from storage silos to processing equipment.
• Energy: convey coal from storage silos to boilers.
• Recycling: feed recyclable materials into shredders or other processing equipment. Useful for e-waste, automotive recycling, MSW, scrap metal recycling, and many more sectors.
• Chemical processing: convey raw materials and intermediate products in chemical processing plants to maintain consistent production.

• Lumber: split wood into mulchers or junk wood into shredders.

See a full list of industries our conveyors serve. 

Tumble-back conveyor applications

Here are some specific applications where our tumble-back conveyors excel:

1. Tumble-back conveyors feed shredders and hammer mills, which are used to break down bulk materials into smaller pieces. Feed conveyors provide equipment with a consistent material flow, which prevents equipment from being overloaded and jammed.
2. Tumble-back conveyors load feed hoppers to transition materials from one processing stage to another along a series of conveyors. For example, they can move materials from a crusher to a screener, or from a screener to a classifier.
3. Tumble-back conveyors regulate the flow of materials into storage silos. This helps to prevent the silos from being overloaded and collapsing.
4. Tumble-back conveyors can be used to reclaim materials from stockpiles. The conveyor is positioned under the stockpile, and the material is allowed to fall onto the conveyor belt or chain. The conveyor then transports the material to a processing unit.
5. Tumble-back conveyors are used to feed waste materials into incinerators for controlled combustion. They regulate the flow of waste and prevent overloading.
6. Tumble-back conveyors can be specially designed to handle hazardous materials, ensuring safety and environmental protection.

Tumble-back conveyors regulate material flow and maintain efficiency in demanding industrial conditions. to customize these systems for your needs.

Do you supply replacement parts for your tumble-back conveyors?

We supply replacement parts for your Fluent tumble-back conveyor. Our range of replacement components includes:

• Pulleys: lagged, wing, snub, bend, and take-up pulleys. Standard, self-aligning, and taper lock hubs.
• Rollers: impact and standard rollers from 1.9–5 inch diameters.
• Idlers: flat idlers, troughed idlers, training rollers, and more. Larger diameter rollers are available on request.
• Impact beds: dampen impact force and protect the belt from unnecessary wear.
• Scrapers: keep your belt and drum free of obstructions.
• Custom control systems: we can build and program custom PLCs and operator panels for your conveyor system.
• E-stops: emergency stop controls and other safety devices.
• Oilers: shatterproof and rugged oilers to keep chains lubricated.
• Belt scales: accurately report throughput weight.
• Motors and drives: general-duty, severe-duty, chemical-duty, and stainless steel construction motors. Plus drivers and gearboxes.
• Bearings: standard duty, heavy duty, sleeve, and pillow block replacement bearings.
• Shafts: cold-rolled and precision ground-drive and belt take-up replacement shafts. With keyways, set screws, or taper locks.
• Sprockets: we supply exact replacement drive and chain sprockets machined to OEM specs. All sizes and capacities.

Our inventory includes essential wear parts like idlers, scrapers, electrical controls, sensors, and safety mechanisms. In case of unique requirements, we can fabricate custom components as well. Simply provide your conveyor's model number, and we'll ensure you receive the precise parts for a swift return to full operation.