Drag Chain Conveyor

A drag chain conveyor (also called an en-masse conveyor) is a type of conveyor designed to move bulk materials by dragging them along the bottom of an enclosed trough with the help of heavy-duty chains and flights (scrapers). It’s ideal for handling free-flowing or powdered materials over medium to long distances.

🔹 Key Features

• Enclosed Trough – A steel casing keeps material contained and dust-free.
• Drag Chain with Flights – A chain fitted with paddles or scrapers “drags” the material along the trough.
• Horizontal or Inclined – Can operate horizontally, on slight inclines, or even vertically with special designs.
• Wear-Resistant Components – Chains and trough liners are made of hardened steel for long life.

🔹 Applications

• Handling grain, rice, wheat, soybeans in agriculture.
• Moving cement, lime, sand, fly ash in construction or power plants.
• Conveying coal, minerals, or ores in mining.
• Transporting wood chips, sawdust, or biomass in forestry and energy plants.
• Ideal for dusty or abrasive materials.

🔹 Advantages

• Fully enclosed — prevents dust and material loss.
• Handles large volumes of bulk solids efficiently.
• Gentle on materials (less degradation than screw conveyors).
• Can operate in high-temperature or abrasive environments.
• Low energy consumption for the amount moved.

🔹 Limitations

• Not suitable for sticky, wet, or highly cohesive materials (can cause clogging).
• Requires regular chain tensioning and maintenance.
• Heavier and costlier than open conveyors.

✅ In short:
A drag chain conveyor is best for moving dry, free-flowing, or abrasive bulk materials safely inside a dust-tight enclosure — commonly used in agriculture, mining, cement, and biomass industries.