Overhead Conveyor Systems are versatile material handling solutions for a track or beam structure, such as a C-section, I-beam, or custom-fabricated profile. These systems support powered chains, free-running trolleys, or a combination of both. They offer flexibility for a wide range of industrial applications.
Products are typically suspended beneath the track, securely attached via hooks, hangers, or brackets to either a continuously driven chain or a manually operated/gravity-fed trolley. This overhead configuration allows unobstructed access to all sides of the product. This is the reason overhead conveyors are an ideal solution for environments where 360-degree access is important.
Where Overhead Conveyors Used
Prominently, they are used in the paint finishing industry. Since they are extremely useful when it comes to even application of wet paints, powder coatings, and other surface treatments.
They are also commonly used in the logistics operations where keeping items off the floor is important to avoid contamination.
In addition, overhead conveyors offer a great help in processes requiring high temperatures: pre-treatment washing, drying, and curing.
As they are very durable, they operate reliably with heat, moisture, and chemicals. This makes them a critical component in manufacturing workflows that require both robustness and precision.
Advanced overhead conveyor setups can also integrate PLC controls, sensors, and automation features to manage routing, speed adjustments, and load tracking. So, overhead conveyors greatly help achieve manufacturing goals in complex production lines.
Overhead Conveyor Types
At Mhel, we offer four main types of overhead conveyors: Powered Track, Free Track, Power & Free Track, and Transporter Systems. Each of them has specific capabilities suited to different operational needs:
Powered Track systems use an electrically driven chain mechanism to move products along a fixed route. They are a perfect solution for any manufacturing purposes where automation has a large part.
Free Track systems operate without motors, relying on manual or gravity movement of trolley units. These offer greater flexibility in layout changes and are cost-effective for lighter loads or simpler workflows.
Power & Free systems combine the benefits of both powered and free track systems. Trolley units can engage or disengage from the powered chain. So they’re suitable for load accumulation, sorting, and variable speeds, all for the most efficient dynamic production environments.
Transporter Systems are typically gantry-style setups using I-beams or universal beams. These systems may use motorised or non-motorised trolleys, often in combination with cranes. They are very helpful for transporting heavier or oversized loads across large spans.
Together, these overhead conveyor systems provide scalable, reliable, and efficient solutions across industries; from automotive and electronics to food processing and heavy manufacturing.
Our Products
Powered track systems consist of a chain and track arrangement powered by an electrically powered drive unit. Track systems can be C section, fabricated cruciform section or an I-Beam.
Free Track Systems consist of a trolley unit or dolly within a track section. The trolley unit is a single body with independent bearings that can be manually pulled and pushed to the operators requirements. Free track systems have many different components such as track switches, turntables and lifts for great freedom of direction.
Power & Free conveyor systems reap the benefits of both powered tracks and free tracks. The powered chain will engage and disengage with trolley units so that they can be powered through hot ovens and pre-treatments etc. but released for load / unloading, track changes etc. Power & Free systems often will require PLC programs and sensors to function in a predesigned production schedule.
Gantry systems are often a single or pair of universal or I beams and can have motorized or free moving trolley units with motorized cranes.
JCB Cab Systems
In December 2018 Midland Handling Equipment won the largest order of its history to supply a new 406TC Power & Free Conveyor for JCB Cab System’s new factory in Uttoxeter. The Cab Systems department was being relocated from its existing site in Rugely to a new build on the A50, Uttoxeter. Cab Systems manufacture the […]