Characteristics of Various Conveyors

Type of Conveyor	Type of Material	Capacity	HP Requirement	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages
Screw (Auger)	Ground granular or chopped	Medium	Low to medium	Medium	Can be used as mixer or for uniform flow feeder Good for unloading bulk storage Wide range available	Size of material limited Single sections limited in length Medium to heavy wear factor
Chain	Most feed grains and farm products	Medium	Medium	Low to medium	Inexpensive Multiple use Wide range available	Noisy Heavy wear factor
Bucket	Ground granular or lumpy	Medium to high	Low	Medium to high	Efficient Minimum High capacity for vertical lift	Limited speed range Difficult to erect Expensive
Belt	Grain packaged units	High	Low	High	Can be used for distances Low power requirement	Limited in angle of elevation Expensive
Pneumatic	Grain, ground feed, chopped forage	Variable	High	Low to medium	Low first cost Low maintenance Flexibility of installation Easily cleaned	High power requirement Creates dust, usually requires separation equipment Conditions of operation vary with type of material
Vibrator	Grain, ground feed	Low	Low	High	Can be used as meter Reliable Easily controlled	Limited capacity Cost
Oscillator	Grain, feed, roughage	High	Low	Medium to high	Efficient Can handle large volumes Can handle several materials	Cost Must be solidly mounted Limited to lengths of about 100 ft
Pump and Pipe	Liquids, slurries	High	Low	Low to medium	Efficient Easy control Low maintenance	Materials limited Subject to freezing