Gravity Conveyor: Economical - Cost Effective - Versatile

What is a Gravity Conveyor?

A gravity conveyor is a type of conveyor system that moves materials without the need for electrical or motorized power. Instead, gravity is used to move items down a slight incline or across a series of wheels or rollers. This simple yet effective method of material handling provides a low-maintenance, cost-effective solution for transporting items such as boxes, cartons, pallets, and containers. Gravity conveyors are available in two main styles: roller conveyors and skatewheel conveyors, each designed to handle different types of loads and environments.

How Gravity Conveyors Work

Gravity conveyors rely on either an incline or manual force to move items. The conveyor's slope allows products to slide down without extra power, making it ideal for transporting goods from one level to another, such as in loading docks or assembly lines. In many cases, items can be manually pushed along, especially with lightweight or smaller items. Roller conveyors use cylindrical rollers to support and move the load, while skatewheel conveyors use small, closely-spaced wheels for smoother rolling and better maneuverability around curves.

Applications of Gravity Conveyors

Gravity conveyors are commonly found in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and shipping facilities. They are particularly useful for loading and unloading trucks, guiding items through sorting areas, and transferring goods between workstations. In pick-and-pack areas, gravity conveyors help improve productivity by reducing the need for workers to carry items manually. They can be used in both permanent and temporary setups, and they are often portable, making them easy to adapt for changing workflows or seasonal demands.

Sortation conveyor view from above

Benefits & Features

  • Cost-Effective
    No need for electrical components or motors, gravity roller conveyors are often more affordable to install and maintain compared to powered conveyors.
  • Versatile
    Handles a variety of products, including boxes, cases, cartons, and pallets of various sizes and weights, making them suitable for various industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution. Additional versatility can be achieved by adding optional curves and spurs to straight conveyors.
  • Customizable
    Gravity rollers can be used in either permanent or temporary lines, so it is tailored to fit specific operational needs. Available in a variety of different industrial roller spacings, frame heights, conveyor belt widths, and adjustable support stands. It can be customized to fit to your particular requirement.
  • Durability
    Constructed from various steel and aluminum materials. Optional finishes included: plain, pickled, galvanized or painted. These heavy duty gravity roller conveyors are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, ensuring long-lasting performance.
  • Easy Maintenance
    With fewer moving parts, maintenance requirements are minimal, leading to lower operational costs.
  • Space-Saving
    Their compact design makes them ideal for areas with limited space.
  • Increased Efficiency
    By allowing products to move freely, these conveyors reduce manual handling and speed up processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do roller conveyors work?

    Roller conveyors are a form of conveyor that uses gravity or manual pushes instead of electrical power sources to move objects from one place to another. Using rotating rollers that are spaced evenly apart, loads or objects can be moved down the line with a simple push or by letting gravity do the work. Both gravity roller conveyor and skatewheel conveyor are examples of roller conveyors.
  • How does gravity roller work?

    The rollers on gravity conveyor are the only part of the gravity conveyor system that actually moves. The rollers (or wheels) rotate when an object is swept over them, causing more rollers (or wheels) to rotate when they come in contact with the moving object. After the load has finished passing over each roller, the rollers stop rotating and won't begin to spin again until the next load comes along.
  • What is gravity roller?

    A gravity roller is a long cylinder shaped roller that spans across the entire width of the conveyor section. Several rollers with the same diameter are placed next to each other at even intervals so the load smoothly slides over the surface of the conveyor.
  • What is wheel conveyor?

    A wheel conveyor consists of several small skatewheels evenly mounted on shafts across the width of the conveyor frame. This is also known as skatewheel conveyor and is often used for moving lighter weight objects with smooth bottoms.