Is Your Warranty Lean?
Webster defines warranty as "THE SELLER’S ASSURANCE TO THE PURCHASER THAT THE GOODS OR PROPERTY IS OR SHALL BE AS REPRESENTED AND, IF NOT, WILL BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED." However, this assurance becomes questionable when warranties exclude a high percentage of the major wear items on the conveyor.
Most customers are willing to incur a slightly higher initial cost for a unit that functions for an extended period with minimal maintenance. This is because downtime and replacement costs can far exceed the cost of the conveyor itself.
Key Points About Low Profile Conveyor Components:
- Modern Low Profile Conveyors have two rotating pulleys supported on anti-friction (rolling) bearings.
- With the exception of the belt, these pulley assemblies are the only components subject to major fatigue and wear.
- Bearings are the "heart" of the conveyor, and warranties that exclude bearings may offer limited value.
Bearings and Warranty Considerations:
- Self-aligning, sealed-for-life ball bearings are the best choice for Low Profile Conveyor bearings, running on a 24/7 basis for over four years without maintenance.
- Some conveyors use shell-type needle bearings, where the drive pulley and tail shaft act as the inner race. Damage to the bearings could lead to the costly replacement of the entire drive pulley and tail shaft.
When considering warranties, especially for conveyors using needle bearings, it's essential to confirm coverage on these components.
Misleading Warranties:
- Some manufacturers promote their product as "maintenance-free" but exclude failures due to improper maintenance in the warranty.
- Hour-based warranties can be misleading. A 1-year or 2,100-hour limit equates to only a 2.88-month warranty if the unit operates 24/7.
- The warranty length is irrelevant if most wear items are excluded.
Pulley Diameter Impact:
- Conveyor pulleys of different diameters can drastically affect the fatigue life of bearings and belts.
- A 2" pulley provides 60% greater bearing fatigue life and lower belt surface stress compared to a 1.25" pulley.
For those considering a new conveyor, it’s wise to request a copy of the warranty and compare the coverage of key components.
Conveyor Technologies Ltd. Warranty
Conveyor Technologies Ltd. warrants that this unit is free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. Gear reducers are covered for one year.
Warranty Coverage:
- C.T.L. will replace any covered defective part within the warranty period without charge, provided:
- The purchaser provides prompt written notice of the defect, including the date of purchase and original purchase order number.
- The purchaser receives a return good authorization number (RGA#) and displays it on all returned labels and packing slips.
- The purchaser pays for the delivery of the defective part to C.T.L. for inspection.
- The purchaser pays for shipping, insurance charges for the replacement part, and the cost of installing the replacement part.
- Exclusions:
- Motors
- Controllers
- Belts (unless otherwise agreed upon in writing)
C.T.L. WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY DEFECTS IN THIS UNIT.
Lost or Damaged Goods
Upon receipt, inspect your shipment thoroughly. If goods are damaged or missing:
- Do not accept them until the carrier’s agent provides a copy of the damage notation.
- For concealed loss or damage, notify the carrier’s local agent immediately for an inspection.
Eliminating Re-occurring Costs During and After Your Warranty
If you have experienced any of the following costs four or more times during your conveyor's warranty period, it's prudent to review your overall cost:
- Bearing replacement cost
- Gear reducer failure
- Drive chain and sprocket wear
- Timing belt or pulley wear
- Pulley or shaft replacement due to bearing damage
- Pulley replacement due to knurl wear
- Flex coupling replacement
- Premature belt replacement due to "V"-guide wear or splice fatigue
- Belt mis-tracking or slipping
- Routine lubrication of bearings, drive chains, and sprockets
Conveyor Technologies’ products can eliminate up to 93% of these costs during the warranty period and decrease the remaining occurrences, with an "After Warranty Bonus" that eliminates up to 78% of these costs in the long term.