Belt Cleaners: Types, Functions, and How to Choose the Right One

August 5, 2025

Conveyor systems are essential for continuous material handling—but they come with a common challenge: material carryback. Whether it’s coal, cement, wet ore, or agricultural waste, residual material that sticks to the belt can lead to belt misalignment, premature wear, increased maintenance costs, and safety hazards.

Belt Cleaners: Types, Functions, and How to Choose the Right One

This is where a well-chosen belt cleaner becomes critical. These devices are designed to remove sticking material from the belt surface at the discharge point, improving efficiency, reducing cleanup, and extending conveyor lifespan.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of belt cleaners, explain how a primary belt cleaner works, explore rubber belt cleaner options, and help you decide what’s right for your system.

What Is a Belt Cleaner?

A belt cleaner (also known as a scraper) is a device mounted on a conveyor frame to clean the return side or head pulley side of the belt. It physically scrapes material off the belt, preventing buildup on pulleys and idlers, which can lead to belt mis-tracking or failure.

Key benefits include:

Reducing material buildup

Minimizing spillage and carryback

Extending belt and pulley life

Improving safety and reducing housekeeping

Lowering downtime and maintenance costs

Types of Belt Cleaners

There are several types of belt cleaners, classified by position, blade material, and application. Most systems use a combination of cleaners to optimize performance.

1. Primary Belt Cleaner

Installed at the head pulley, just after discharge

Removes most material from the belt

Typically uses a polyurethane or tungsten blade

Essential for high-speed or high-tonnage conveyors

First line of defense against carryback

2. Secondary Belt Cleaner

Installed farther along the belt’s return path

Removes remaining fines or sticky residues

Often uses tungsten carbide or stainless blades

Works in tandem with the primary cleaner

3. V-Plow / Diagonal Plow

Mounted before the tail pulley on the return side

Clears material that falls onto the inside of the belt

Prevents damage to tail pulleys and return rollers

4. Tertiary Belt Cleaner (Optional)

For systems where 100% cleaning is essential

Used in high-contamination or critical applications

May use brushes or specialty scraper systems

5. Spray Belt Cleaner

Uses water, steam, or cleaning agents in combination with mechanical scrapers

Effective for fine powders or sticky chemical residues

Common Belt Cleaner Blade Materials

Blade Material	Best Use Case
Polyurethane (PU)	Flexible, wear-resistant; ideal for primary cleaners
Rubber	Cost-effective; used in light- to medium-duty cleaning
Tungsten Carbide	Extremely durable; ideal for tough, abrasive materials
Stainless Steel	Corrosion-resistant; used in food-grade or wet systems
Nylon/Fiber	For soft applications or sensitive belt surfaces

Rubber Belt Cleaner: Affordable and Versatile

A rubber belt cleaner is typically a primary or secondary cleaner with a molded or cut rubber blade. It’s an economical solution for light- to medium-duty applications such as:

Aggregates

Cement

Fertilizers

Agriculture

General bulk handling

Advantages of rubber belt cleaners:

Lower cost than carbide or PU

Easy to install and maintain

Gentle on belt surfaces

Suitable for belts with mechanical splices

However, rubber blades wear faster and may not be ideal for highly abrasive or high-speed systems.

Choosing the Right Belt Cleaner

When selecting a belt cleaner, consider:

Belt width – Cleaners are matched to the belt’s width range

Belt speed – Higher speeds require more durable materials

Material type – Sticky, abrasive, or wet materials may need carbide or multi-stage systems

Belt condition – For belts with mechanical splices, use flexible or rubber blades

Mounting space – Confirm clearance for installation and maintenance

Environment – Corrosive, wet, or dusty conditions require special materials

Tip: The best cleaning performance often comes from combining a primary belt cleaner and a secondary belt cleaner.

Belt Cleaner Price Guide (2025 Estimates)

Cleaner Type	Belt Width Range	Price Range (USD/unit)
Primary rubber cleaner	500–1,000 mm	$100 – $250
Primary PU or carbide	600–1,200 mm	$250 – $500
Secondary cleaner	600–1,800 mm	$300 – $700
V-plow/return plow	All sizes	$150 – $400
Spray belt cleaner	Custom	$600 – $1,500+

Prices vary based on blade material, mounting system, and included tensioning devices.

Maintenance Tips for Belt Cleaners

Inspect regularly for blade wear and material buildup

Adjust tensioners as blades wear down

Replace blades as needed—PU and rubber may last 3–6 months, carbide can last 12+ months

Ensure correct positioning for optimal cleaning angle (usually 85–90° against the belt)

Don’t overtighten—can damage the belt or cause premature wear

Belt Cleaner FAQs

Q1: What’s the difference between a primary and secondary belt cleaner?

A: The primary cleaner is the first scraper at the discharge point; it removes the bulk of carryback. The secondary cleaner sits farther down the belt and removes fines or sticky residue that the primary missed.

Q2: Is a rubber belt cleaner suitable for heavy-duty applications?

A: Rubber cleaners work well for light- to medium-duty systems. For abrasive or high-speed belts, polyurethane or tungsten carbide blades are better suited.

Q3: Can belt cleaners damage the belt?

A: When properly installed and tensioned, no. However, overtightening or using the wrong blade material can cause belt wear, especially at the splice.

Q4: How often should I replace belt cleaner blades?

A: Blade life depends on the material and operating conditions. Rubber may last 3–6 months, polyurethane 6–12 months, and tungsten carbide 12–24 months.