Accurate conveyor capacity calculation ensures your system operates efficiently. Follow this guide from BasonDrive to calculate the right belt conveyor capacity for your application.
Basic Formula
Capacity (tons/hour) = Belt Speed (m/s) × Material Density (kg/m³) × Cross-sectional Area (m²) × 3.6
Step 1: Determine Belt Speed
Typical belt speeds: Light duty: 0.5-1.5 m/s, Medium duty: 1.5-3.0 m/s, Heavy duty mining: 3.0-6.0 m/s. Higher speeds increase capacity but require more robust belt construction.
Step 2: Calculate Cross-Sectional Area
The cross-sectional area of material on the belt depends on belt width, trough angle, and material surcharge angle. For a 20° trough with standard idlers: Area ≈ 0.15 × Belt Width² (approximate).
Step 3: Account for Incline
If your conveyor operates on an incline, multiply capacity by the incline factor: 15° incline: factor 0.85, 20° incline: factor 0.75, 25° incline: factor 0.65.
Example Calculation
Belt width: 800mm, Speed: 2 m/s, Material: Grain (density 750 kg/m³), Flat belt
Area ≈ 0.15 × 0.8² = 0.096 m²
Capacity = 2 × 750 × 0.096 × 3.6 = 518 tons/hour
Contact BasonDrive engineers for detailed conveyor design calculations specific to your application.
Need Expert Help?
BasonDrive engineers are available for free technical consultation. Whether you need help with belt selection, installation, troubleshooting, or custom solutions — we are here to help. With 20+ years of experience across 12+ industries, we deliver practical, actionable advice.