Retrofit Split Belt Dryer

[zanegun08]

Has anyone ever retrofitted their dryer to make it a spit belt?

Is there anyone that makes kits for this or sells the parts to do it?  Add one motor and a simple speed control, and change out to split belts and drums,

We have two dryers we'd like to retro fit but the M&R solution is to buy a new dryer and get on a 1 year waiting list.

Dryers work fine, just need new belts preferably with the "SureTrak", 1 motor and a simple speed control, and the split drums for the belts.

[ericheartsu]

maybe reach out to Tony CGS.

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

For the amount of effort and time you'll put into it, and it still not working correctly until you perfect it. You'll save money by just buying a new split belt, and selling the other dryer. Time Value of Money.

I've learned this the hard way over the years.

[zanegun08]

Thanks Eric, I'll reach out.

For the amount of effort and time you'll put into it, and it still not working correctly until you perfect it. You'll save money by just buying a new split belt, and selling the other dryer. Time Value of Money.  I've learned this the hard way over the years.

I'd typically agree with you but at like 70-80k a pop you are saying spend $160k+ and wait a year instead of investing a little time to try to retrofit.

It's a bummer in general that M&R doesn't offer parts to upgrade their equipment, planned obsolesces in all industries I guess. 

Seems like they could make a good amount of money selling upgrade parts to a large existing customer base, instead of just selling one dryer every 10-20+ years.



If I find anything out I'll report back, we do have a Sprint 3000 with split belt already so can see all the parts and can maybe just order ourselves.

[SPX]

i have a few motors and a speed controller from a guardian.   Would need to modify rollers and supports.  I’m scrapping 54” m&r conveyor.  Get a parts schematic from m&r for a split belt.  Would require welding and fabrication.

[Maxie]

For someone with a bit of technical ability this is not a big deal.
Look for some one in your area who can do it.     
The roller parts are basic, 2 rods, bearings and 4” metal pipe.    You’ll need the ends turned so they fit in the pipe and have a hole the size of the rod.
Motor is easy, depending on price maybe buy one from M&R and mount it he same as your existing motor.
Belts you can order, you might even be able to cut your belt in half.     Get Teflon tape to put on the open end, find a leather shop to sew it.
If the belt slips get thin rubber sheeting and glue it onto 4” metal pipe.
I built an oven and the belt was the easy part.     The only problem I can think of is that you’ll have to adjust tension and tracking together.    You could add more rubber to the pipe it one belt is slightly longer than the other.      One thing is for sure you’ll save a fortune.

[zanegun08]

After doing some more research I know it has been done before, just that we won't get much support from M&R.

Good thing is we have a split belt in house that we could show to a machine shop on what we need, take measurements ect. 

See what parts we can buy from M&R and get the rest made built.

I don't think it will be difficult for someone who does mechanical things on the regular.