What is the purpose of a transfer station?

{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":["At a transfer station,"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/industries/municipalities","children":"municipal solid waste"},"_owner":null}," ","is temporarily stored before being consolidated into transport vehicles for shipment to landfills or other"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/material-recovery","children":"material recovery facilities"},"_owner":null},"."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"The primary purpose of a transfer station is to reduce the operating costs associated with waste management by optimizing transportation between collection points and final disposal sites. Presorting of recyclables also occurs at transfer stations."},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}

What is the difference between a transfer station and a landfill?

{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"A transfer station is a temporary waste storage site. Waste is collected, sorted, and transferred into larger trucks to go to disposal sites, such as landfills or recycling facilities."},"_owner":null},{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":["A landfill is a permanent disposal site where waste is buried in the ground. Transfer stations optimize waste management"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/industries/logistics","children":"logistics"},"_owner":null},", while landfills serve as the final destination for waste that cannot be recycled or repurposed."]},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}

What conveyors are used in transfer stations?

{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":["Conveyors transport,"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/sorting","children":"sort"},"_owner":null},", and aid in the disposal of"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/industries/recycling/msw","children":"mixed solid waste"},"_owner":null},". The following conveyors maximize efficiency at transfer stations:"]},"_owner":null},{"type":"ul","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/conveyors/flat-idler","children":"Flat idler conveyors"},"_owner":null}," ","are pulley-driven and support the belt with a series of idlers. Idlers improve weight distribution (especially over long distances) and reduce belt friction. Flat idler conveyors"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/transport","children":"transport"},"_owner":null}," ","waste to and from storage areas. Flat idlers can be fitted with smooth or"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/replacement-belts/cleated-belts","children":"cleated belts"},"_owner":null}," ","as needed."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/conveyors/slider-bed","children":"Slider bed conveyors"},"_owner":null}," ","are pulley-driven conveyors that support the belt with a metal slider bed. Slider bed conveyors are chosen for initial sorting belts. They can operate horizontally and at inclines."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/conveyors/roller-chain","children":"Roller chain conveyors"},"_owner":null}," ","are sprocket-driven conveyors in which modular belting attaches to heavy-duty roller chains that span the conveyor frame. Steel belts—apron pan,"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/replacement-belts/roller-chain-belts/hinged-steel-roller-chain-belts","children":"hinged steel"},"_owner":null},", and Z-pan—handle heavy, abrasive materials such as scrap metal or bulk garbage."," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/replacement-belts/roller-chain-belts/rubber-combination-roller-chain-belts","children":"Rubber combination belts"},"_owner":null}," ","are effective at processing large volumes of bulk waste."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/conveyors/recycling-sort-stations","children":"Recycling sort systems"},"_owner":null}," ","allow manual and automated sorting. Larger transfer stations incorporate sort systems to separate waste from recyclables and separate recyclables by type."]},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}

Are your conveyors easy to integrate with existing equipment?

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What is the most common type of conveyor?

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Can your conveyors be customized with features such as cleats, skirts, and guards?

{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":["We offer extensive customization options for each conveyor, including impact beds, debris guards, side"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/conveyors/what-is-skirting-on-a-conveyor","children":"skirts"},"_owner":null},", dust covers, cleated belting, and other accessories. This protects components and allows the conveying of loose, irregular, and fragile materials. Just let us know your needs!"]},"_owner":null}},"_owner":null}

What are conveyors used for?

{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"p","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"From manufacturing facilities to recycling and waste management centers, conveyors perform a variety of functions:"},"_owner":null},{"type":"ul","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/document-destruction","children":{"type":"strong","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"Document destruction"},"_owner":null}},"_owner":null},". Specialized conveyor systems safely feed sensitive documents into shredders, providing a reliable and efficient solution for document destruction."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/scrap","children":{"type":"strong","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"Scrap handling"},"_owner":null}},"_owner":null},". Heavy-duty scrap handling conveyors, built with durable components such as chains and impact beds, withstand the rigors of scrap yard operations."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/feeding","children":{"type":"strong","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"Feeding"},"_owner":null}},"_owner":null},". Conveyors provide a steady and controlled flow of raw materials, components, or finished products, optimizing production lines and minimizing downtime."]},"_owner":null},{"type":"li","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":[{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/applications/baler-infeed","children":{"type":"strong","key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"children":"Baler infeed"},"_owner":null}},"_owner":null},". Baler infeed conveyors feed materials, such as"," ",{"key":null,"ref":null,"props":{"href":"/industries/recycling/occ","children":"cardboard"},"_owner":null},", plastic, or paper, into balers for compaction."]},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}]},"_owner":null}

Conveyor systems for transfer stations

The future of municipal waste management

The US waste management industry is expected to grow by 4.5 percent through 2030. As recycling efforts and biofuel initiatives accelerate, transfer stations are gaining popularity for optimizing logistics and pre-sorting recyclable materials.

Conveyors assist in essential transfer station functions, such as:

Loading and unloading
Baler infeed
Material movement
Sorting waste from recyclables
Metering

With our long record of industry success, Fluent Conveyors is excited to help shape the future of distribution center operations.

Quality conveyors made in the USA

Our conveyors enhance the productivity of transfer stations while reducing costs and manual labor. Each conveyor is engineered and American-made to the following quality standards:

Extensively tested and inspected before shipment
Premium bearings sized for L10 life ratings, made in the USA
Baldor, Leeson, Toshiba TEFC motors selected for 24/7 operation
Fabricated by certified welders for structural integrity
Reinforced with 3/16 inch and 1/4 inch thick structural steel frames to prevent flexing
Grade 8 hardware for maximum performance
Painted with industrial-grade powder coating for durability
Designed for simple maintenance access and component serviceability
Dodge, Nord, and SEW drives matched to torque requirements.
Goodyear, Flexco belt options resist rips, tears, and impacts
ASTM A36 steel for fabrication per structural code
25–35 pound rail track to withstand heavy loads
Assembled with precision components such as cold-rolled steel shafts and flame-hardened sprockets
Formed using heavy-duty steel plate, rectangular tubing, and structural channel

Our conveyors provide durability, strength, and lasting performance for transfer stations and all other applications. For a custom material handling solution, contact our engineering team.

configure conveyor

Conveyor features and options

We can customize our conveyors to match the requirements of your specific application:

Diverter gates: pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric actuators
Chutes: custom steel chutes to discharge sorted materials
Incline conveyors: 0–60 degree inclines
Compliance: meets local codes and standards
Electrical: UL-listed panels, components, and wiring
Dimensions: custom lengths, widths, and heights
Platforms: steel catwalks and operator platforms
Pushers: linear actuators for transferring materials
Transition hoppers: custom infeed and discharge hoppers
Structural steel: support frames, stairs, mezzanines

We can build a custom conveyor to your exact specifications.

Conveyor specifications

We design and build each conveyor for longevity, performance, easy maintenance, and convenience:

Belt width: 18–60 inches
Belt types: rubber, PVC, urethane, modular plastic
Belt accessories: cleats, side skirts, training idlers
Speed: 50–400 ft/min variable speed via VFD
Rollers: impact rollers with 3, 4, or 5-inch diameters
Capacities: up to 25,000 lb chain pull
Drives: shaft-mounted gear motors, 5–25 hp
Motors: TEFC, stainless steel, chemical duty options
Frames: formed steel channel, boxed supports
Safety: e-stops, pull cords, dead man plates
Controls: PLC, touchscreen HMI, remote access control panels

Do you need additional customization? Our engineering team can build an innovative solution to meet your requirements.

Do you need a conveyor solution?

We build our conveyors to handle the most extreme applications, including scrap, recycling, waste, and other harsh environments.

Robust structural steel construction with precision tolerances for heavy loads

Fully customizable size, layout, drive, and other features

Engineered and manufactured in the USA for quality and fast turnaround

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Transfer station FAQ

What is the purpose of a transfer station?

What is the difference between a transfer station and a landfill?

What conveyors are used in transfer stations?

Are your conveyors easy to integrate with existing equipment?

What is the most common type of conveyor?

Can your conveyors be customized with features such as cleats, skirts, and guards?

What are conveyors used for?

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