Hennig Helps

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR CHIP CONVEYOR

We’ve outlined some of the next steps to help you identify where the issue is coming from within your chip conveyor. 

Run Your Machine in Reverse

To run your conveyor in reverse, make sure the AUTO/MAN FWD switch is in the center position (blue arrow), then press and hold the JOG REV button (orange arrow).

By running your machine in reverse, we can quickly identify whether the chip conveyor is getting power. If your chip conveyor works, that’s great news! Your motor is still running. 

A Common Issue: Something’s Jammed

If your motor is still running, you could have a ball of chips, tool, or finished part jamming the way. Clear the obstruction and get back to making chips.

The two main areas where chip accumulation can be an issue are in the discharge head and the incline angle.

Worn-Down Drive Elements 

1. Sprocket keys
2. Motor key
3. Sprockets
4. Driveshaft

You’ll want to look out for the following:

• Is the keyway in your driveshaft worn down? 
• Are your keys worn down?
• Are your sprockets or sprocket keyways worn down?

If any of these issues prove to be the case, replacement parts can be ordered and delivered quickly. Get a hold of our team at 815-316-5152, conveyors@hennig.ame.com, or 

Issue still not resolved? Try to move the belt by hand.

Cranking the driveshaft with a wrench and moving the belt by hand will help you identify if it's an electrical issue or a motor issue. 

If your chip conveyor is still moving, you’re probably looking at a motor replacement. While your first thought might be to try and salvage the motor by doing a small engine repair, traditionally it makes more sense to replace the motor and gearbox. Motor replacement typically starts at $1,200. To get an accurate quote, reach out to our team at 815-316-5152 or conveyors@hennig.ame.com. 

Not able to move it by hand? Let’s check the belt on your chip conveyor.

Once we’ve ruled out the possibility of an electrical or motor issue, we move on to checking for belt-related issues with your chip conveyor. 

First, let’s take a close look at a belt assembly:

A Common Issue: Shaft Problems

One of the most common chip conveyor issues we experience is a pulled out or bent shaft. This traditionally happens because the crimp on the shaft of the belt has been worn out.

Your belt will become jammed when the slip fit link ( 5), where the shaft has been pulled back, has fallen and causes a jam where the belt turns a corner.

If you’re able to run your chip conveyor in reverse, move the damaged shaft up to the discharge end so your maintenance person has access to the shaft to perform the repair. Once you’re able to access the damaged shaft, remove the damaged shaft by grinding off the crimps to separate the belt. You’ll want to purchase a conveyor hinge kit to replace the damaged hinge. Hinge kits typically ship in 2-3 days.

If you’re unable to run the conveyor in forward or reverse, locate any shaft that you can access and grind off the crimps to divide or split the belt. Once your belt has been split, you can attempt to remove the belt by pulling it out of the conveyor.

If you’re unable to remove the belt, try grinding the belt shaft crimps by using the coolant slots as an access point to gain some movement—if you have coolant slots on your conveyor. You’ll want to purchase a hinge kit to replace the damaged hinge. 

When you only have a few damaged shafts or hinges, you’ll be able to purchase a hinge kit to get your chip conveyor back in action. You can request a part by making a request online or by reaching out to our team at 815-316-5152 or conveyors@hennig.ame.com.

If there are multiple problems with your belt (more than 20% of your belt has issues), it might be time to order a replacement. Complete belts typically ship in 1-2 days.

Motor Not Running?

Not a problem. We’ll walk you through the next steps. Go ahead and unbolt your motor so we can check if it’s running properly. 

After unbolting the motor, you’ll want to remove the motor from the driveshaft to check the condition of the driveshaft. In your machine, you’ll be able to locate two sprockets, one driveshaft, and three keys. 

Still not resolved? Let’s check your chip conveyor’s frame and rails.

If the issue persists, we’ll want to take a closer look at your chip conveyor’s frame and rails. 

Damaged rails can prevent the belt from traveling properly. Take a close look at your chip conveyor for signs of wear such as holes, grooves, dips, etc. Any of these signs of damage can lead to larger issues, including motor and belt failure. 

If you’ve identified any damage to the frame or rails, it’s time for a replacement conveyor. Reach out to our team at 815-316-5152 or conveyors@hennig.ame.com. 

OTHER COMMON ISSUES

If the above troubleshooting suggestions weren’t the answer you were looking for, we’ve outlined some other frequent solutions that might help you get your chip conveyor back up and running.

Conveyor Still Not Starting?

• Is your circuit breaker tripped? Check for a short in the motor or the cable.
• Is there power from I/O PCB to the motor? Check the voltage at I/O PCB.
• Has a fuse been blown? Check the fuses on the I/O PCB.

Conveyor Making Noises and/or Switching Between Forward and Reverse?

• Is there a build-up of chips? Clear the excess chips and any other obstruction.
• Is your conveyor belt damaged? Inspect the conveyor belt and repair or replace as needed.
• Have you checked the conveyor belt tension? Adjust the belt tension as needed.

STILL HAVING ISSUES?

Our team is here to help. With over 50 years of experience, Hennig’s worldwide support infrastructure leads the industry in developing and supporting innovative chip conveyor technologies.

By now you know the contact info, but here it is one more time: get in touch with us at 815-316-5152 or conveyors@hennig.ame.com.