Belt or Live Bottom Trailers are designed to move bulk materials. Belt trailers haul a variety of products, including gravel, potatoes, top soil, grain, carrots, sand, lime, peat moss, asphalt, compost, heavy rocks, etc. They differ from traditional dump trailers because they don’t need to raise their bed to unload. Instead, belt trailers use a continuous conveyor belt system integrated into the trailer floor to move the cargo to the rear for unloading.
A belt trailer uses either a chain and flap assembly or a continuous belt that runs lengthwise on the bottom of the trailer. This belt is usually made of rubber that allows the belt to grip the product. Various widths are available ranging from 25 inches to 61 inches wide.
The core of a belt trailer is the conveyor belt that spans the entire length of the trailer floor.
When unloading, a motor (often powered by the truck’s hydraulics or a separate power unit) drives the conveyor belt. The moving belt carries the bulk material towards the rear of the trailer, where it’s discharged over the tailgate or through a specialized chute.
Belt trailers also incorporate a chain and flap system instead of a continuous rubber conveyor belt. These trailers use heavy-duty chains that run along the length of the trailer floor, often on both sides or in multiple sets. Attached to these chains are flaps or flights. These are typically made of durable material, often rubber or a composite and are designed to push the bulk material forward towards the rear of the trailer. The flaps are designed to lie flat under the load but create pockets or grip the material effectively to move it. Some designs have flaps that hang down slightly under the trailer, helping to scrape off material as they complete their cycle back to the front.
Belt trailers are renowned for their rapid unloading capabilities. They can often empty their entire load in a matter of minutes (typically 5 minutes or less), significantly reducing downtime between loads.
They eliminate the need to raise the trailer bed, making them safer to operate in areas with overhead obstructions like power lines, bridges, or indoor facilities. They also reduce the risk of trailer tip-overs on uneven ground.
The speed of the conveyor belt can often be adjusted, allowing for more controlled and precise unloading, which can be crucial in certain applications.
Belt trailers are widely used in industries that handle large volumes of loose materials, including:
- Agriculture – Transporting grain, feed, and other commodities.
- Construction – Hauling asphalt, gravel, sand, and aggregate.
- Waste Management – Moving various types of waste materials.
- Forestry – Transporting wood chips and other biomass.
