How Do You Select the Best Belt for Your Conveyor?

Conveyors are only as good as the belts they are fitted with, but choosing the right conveyor belt is a critical, yet often overlooked, detail. The wrong belt can significantly affect your throughput, cost, downtime and safety, so you need to get it right.

So how do you choose the best belt for your conveyor? When it comes to choosing the best belt for your specific application, there are many considerations, including:

• The material or materials you need to move
• The size, weight and distribution of the materials to be conveyed
• The environment the conveyor will operate in (temperature, dry or wet conditions, hazards, etc.)
• The speed the materials will need to travel and whether they move up or down

Conveyor belts are available in a variety of materials, cover thicknesses and grades that can be selected to meet your specific application. Available materials for belting include: rubber, PVC, urethane, neoprene, nylon, nitrile, polyester and kevlar.

For grain and feed applications, PVC and heavy-duty rubber belting are both good options. No matter which conveyor belt you decide is best for you, make sure that the belting meets or exceeds OSHA safety standards for static conductivity and Mine Safety Health Act (MSHA) flame-resistance standards.

When you select the right belts for your application and needs, make sure to also consider how that belting should be maintained, replaced or modified, and the associated costs.

If you need help determining the best belts for your conveyor and your agricultural application, call on KC Supply Co. to help. KC Supply Co. offers a full supply of conveyors, belts and accessories. We have the equipment, parts and accessories you need for your business, including bucket elevator belts, elevator buckets, bolts and parts. Call our knowledgeable sales staff today, 800.KC.SUPPLY.

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Why Are Gas Monitors Important?

To keep your facility safe, you need a way to accurately monitor the atmosphere for dangerous gas levels. Because most gases are undetectable to humans, it is critical that you have the right tools to keep your personnel and property safe at all times.

Gas monitors are typically portable, allowing workers to clip them onto their uniforms when working in an area that might have gas leaks. Monitors can detect one or several different gases simultaneously.

Two new Draeger personal-use monitors are now available from KC Supply Co.: the X-am 8000 multi sensor monitor and the PAC 8500 dual sensor.

The Draeger PAC 8500 dual-gas detection device is a reliable and precise monitor even under the toughest conditions. It can be equipped with a hydrogen-compensated CO sensor or a Draeger dual sensor. This gives you the option of measuring two gases at once: hydrogen sulphide with carbon monoxide or oxygen with carbon monoxide. It provides a data and event logger for recording concentrations and events along with the date and time. Dual sensors enable detection of even low concentrations, all in one device. Measuring two gases at once reduces downtime, as well.

Other features include:

  • Large display
  • 360-degree alarm signal can be easily seen from all sides
  • Clear color-coding prevents mistakes
  • Easy fastening with tightly closing crocodile clip

The Draeger X-am 8000 multi-gas detection monitor makes clearance measurement easy and convenient. The X-am 8000 measures up to seven toxic and flammable gases, vapors and oxygen all at once, either in pump or diffusion mode. Innovative signaling design and handy assistant functions ensure complete safety throughout the process. A pump adapter makes it easy to switch between diffusion and pump mode at any time. This means the pump only operates when you actually need it, saving energy, reducing wear and tear and extending the pump’s lifespan. Handy and durable, the X-am 8000 is intuitive to operate single-handedly using three function keys. The easy-to-read color display clearly shows all the information for you.

Additional features include:

  • Switch easily between pump and diffusion mode
  • Optional Bluetooth module to connect with the CSE Connect app for Android
  • Easy-to-read color display with zoom function
  • Five slots for DraegerSensors to measure up to seven gases, two new high-performance PID sensor

Gas monitors are a vital safety tool for your facility and employees. KC Supply Co. will help keep your workplace safe. If you don’t have gas monitors, or have old models that need to be upgraded, call 1.800.KC.SUPPLY to discuss your needs and we’ll offer solutions. We can answer any questions you may have about gas monitors, especially Draeger gas monitors.

 

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GEAPS, GEAPS EXCHANGE 2018, EXPO

Visit KC Supply Co. at GEAPS Exchange 2018

Come see KC Supply Co. at the Grain Elevator and Processing Society’s GEAPS Exchange 2018 – the “biggest and best show in the grain industry!”

The show, to be held March 24-27, 2018, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, features the best education, networking and expo in the grain industry. In the Expo hall, hundreds of suppliers from all over the world will display and demonstrate a variety of products and services. The Exchange will offer nearly 40 hours of educational sessions, including an opening workshop, idea exchange and hour-long concurrent sessions and hands-on Expo Pods.

If you’re planning to attend the show, come by and visit KC Supply in corner booth #1931. We will be demonstrating the “latest and greatest” in

  • Self-Closing Safety Gates
  • Ladder Climbing Systems
  • Bin Level Monitors, and more

Come get a look at the newest models and safety features while learning about products you need for your facility. If you can’t wait for GEAPS Exchange 2018 or you cannot attend this year’s event, you can learn about safety gates, ladder climbing systems, bin level monitors by calling KC Supply at 800.527.8775 or 800.KC.SUPPLY for more information.

For more information on GEAPS Exchange 2018, visit http://exchange.geaps.com/GEAPS18/Public/Enter.aspx.

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Get a Handle on Hazardous Dust

Grain Dust Can Be DangerousA high concentration of airborne dust can create an explosion hazard as well as workplace-induced asthma and other diseases. Protecting your employees and facility from combustible and respiratory dust hazards is not just prudent, but also may save lives.

Many materials can be explosive in dust form and they exist in many industries and processes. Examples include: food (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain, tobacco, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, rubber, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, coal and metals (e.g., aluminum, chromium, iron, magnesium, and zinc).

In grain processing and storage facilities, grain dust is the main source of explosions, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). In the last 35 years, more than 500 grain dust explosions have been recorded in the U.S., killing more than 180 people and injuring more than 675, according to OSHA.

On May 31, 2017, an explosion rocked a milling plant in Wisconsin, killing killed five workers, injuring 12 and destroying a corn processing plant. After a five-month OSHA investigation determined that the incident was preventable, the company was fined $1.8 million.

OSHA’s investigation found that the company failed to take several safety measures, including failing to control highly combustible grain dust that leaked from enclosures and accumulated throughout the plant. In addition, the company didn’t maintain equipment to prevent heat or sparks that can ignite the dust.

The company’s willful citations were issued under OSHA’s grain handling standards for machine maintenance and dust control, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Among other failures, the serious citations included violating rules requiring that dust-filtering machinery installed inside a building are equipped with explosion-suppression devices. The company was also cited for not creating a written dust-removal plan and schedule, and not training employees. Instead of requiring sweeping, workers were allowed to use compressed air to clear dust from surfaces around machinery that could ignite it, OSHA’s report said.

NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, contains comprehensive guidance on the control of dusts to prevent explosions. Some of its recommendations include:

  • Minimizing the escape of dust from process equipment or ventilation systems
  • Using dust collection systems and filters
  • Using surfaces that minimize dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning
  • Providing access to all hidden areas to permit inspection
  • Inspecting for dust residues in open and hidden areas, at regular intervals
  • Cleaning dust residues at regular intervals
  • Use cleaning methods that do not generate dust clouds, if ignition sources are present
  • Only using vacuum cleaners approved for dust collection
  • Locating relief valves away from dust hazard areas
  • Developing and implementing a hazardous dust inspection, testing, housekeeping and control program (preferably in writing with established frequency and methods)

In addition, the OSHA ventilation standard, 29 CFR 1910.94, contains ventilation requirements for certain types of operations (such as abrasives, blasting, grinding, or buffing) which involve dusts, including combustible dusts. In addition, 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1) requires employers to keep workplaces and other areas clean, which includes the removal of dust accumulations. Learn more at www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib073105.html.

“It is important to keep dust to a minimum. Dust accumulation is not allowed beyond a threshold depending on the product and type of facility,” said Jeff Lavery, KC Supply Co. owner.

Industrial vacuums can help contain hazardous dust in certain environments. KC Supply Co. offers electronic and air-operated vacuums, with 30- and 55-gallon capacity and including static conductive and hazardous location options. If you need help cleaning up hazardous dust in your facility, call us at 800.527.8775 today. We can answer your questions and help you get a plan in place for cleaning up dangerous dust in your facility.

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Old Rusted Bolts Giving You Fits? Try Bolt Cutters

Removing old, stuck bolts from buckets and belting is not a fun way to pass the time. When bolts rust or have damaged threads, they can be painstakingly difficult and time-consuming to remove. A ratchet socket wrench can be slow and doesn’t always work. After spending hours attempting to remove stuck bolts, taking a hammer to them might seem like a great idea, but it will only hurt your bucket.

 

A better option is using an elevator bucket bolt cutter. They can help you safely and quickly remove bolts from buckets and belting. You’re not going to re-use the bolts, so it’s easier just to cut them off. Standard bolt cutters just won’t cut it though. Elevator bucket bolt cutters are made for stuck elevator bolts and are more efficient and only require a fraction of the time – snip and done vs spin the nut off and hope they come off. In addition, standard bolt cutters are designed to be used at a 90-degree angle – a luxury you don’t have with elevator buckets.

“These, unique, one-of-a-kind conversion of snippers have specially designed teeth specifically for cutting bolts from within the buckets,” said Jeff Lavery, KC Supply Co. owner. “Since the cutter is inserted directly into the bucket, the teeth ‘bite’ through the bolt, nut and washers.”

To see how quickly our bolt cutter cuts through an elevator bolt, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51p7EOtY5X8

If rusted-over bolts are keeping you from replacing your old elevator buckets and belting, KC Supply has a solution for you. We can answer any questions you may have about elevator bucket bold cutters and help you find the right cutters for your needs.

KC Supply, founded in Kansas City in 1988, is an industry leader in supplying industrial/agricultural products. For more than 25 years, we’ve been leaders in conveying and elevating equipment. We also offer safety supplies and are proud to offer one of the largest selections of Knappco and Civacon products. Call us at 800.527.8775 or visit www.kcsupply.com.

 

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Safeguarding Employees with Screens

Safety screens play an important role in protecting people from moving equipment. If you don’t have screens installed with your inspection and access doors, you should.

“Doors are used to ‘enter’ equipment to inspect or work on the internal components,” said Jeff Lavery, KC Supply Co. owner. “With inspection doors, screens are usually permanently attached so that a tool is not required to open the door because they just ‘look’ at the equipment without entering (with tool, hand or body). For access doors, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires a tool to open the door – or a safety screen to prevent someone from sticking their hand or tool inside the equipment while it is running, thus potentially resulting in an injury or amputation.”

According to OSHA, amputations are among the most severe and disabling workplace injuries because they often result in permanent disability. They are widespread and involve various activities and equipment, including saws, presses, conveyors, and bending, rolling or shaping machines as well as powered and non-powered hand tools, forklifts, doors, trash compactors and during materials-handling activities.

Workplace injuries resulted in nearly 3,000 amputations in 2015, OSHA reported. A 2016 OSHA report revealed that there were 10,388 severe injuries caused by workplace conditions in 2015. These injuries led to 7,636 hospitalizations and 2,644 amputations. OSHA collected the data from 26 states that have higher safety standards than those mandated by federal regulations.

The manufacturing industry saw the highest proportion of accidents – it accounted for 57 percent of all amputations and 26 percent of all hospitalizations. Among the other industries with high accident rates were construction, transportation and warehousing as well oil and gas extraction.

The OSHA rules on “Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations” (OSHA 3170-02R) is available at www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3170/3170-02R-2007-English.html. The U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has similar guidelines in place for moving machine part hazards.

Safety screens are a necessary part of any material-handling system to help prevent accidents. Consider that that conveyor belt moving at 300 feet per minute – or 5 feet per second – will you’re your tool, your loose clothing, your hand or your arm 5 feet into the pinch point before you can even react.

Do you have questions regarding safety screens? Please let KC Supply help you make your workplace safer for your employees. KC Supply provides screens for several brands of doors, including Tsubaki, PS Doors, Civacon and Knappco brands. Call KC Supply Co. today at 800.KCSUPPLY and let us answer all your questions and help you determine which safety screens are right for your equipment and facility. Visit www.kcsupply.com for more information.

 

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