--- title: Return Removed Carryback to the Material Stream with Dribble Chutes description: Learn how to design dribble chutes for conveyors to prevent buildup, ensure smooth material flow, and reduce maintenance with innovative solutions like dynamic sub-floors. --- [Skip to content](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-dribble-chutes#main-content) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png?height=40&name=MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png)](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) - [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance) [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance?hsLang=en) Hi! How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Foundations™ Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Material Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning?hsLang=en) - [Basics of Belt Conveyor Systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems?hsLang=en) - [Conveyor Belt Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage?hsLang=en) - [Material Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning?hsLang=en) - [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety?hsLang=en) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/dust-management?hsLang=en) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-flow?hsLang=en) - [New Technology and Innovation](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor System Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance?hsLang=en) # Return Removed Carryback to the Material Stream with Dribble Chutes ## Implementing Dribble Chutes and Auxiliary Systems On conveyors where [cleaning systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/the-basics-of-effective-conveyor-belt-cleaning-systems?hsLang=en) are positioned so that the material removed from the belt does not freely return to the main material body, a dribble chute, or fines chute, is usually required. This is a separate part of the discharge chute that directs the removed [carryback](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/the-cost-of-carryback?hsLang=en) back into the main material flow. This auxiliary chute must be large enough and designed with a steep enough wall angle to ensure the material falls away from the cleaning system and prevents the encapsulation of the cleaner in sticky materials. It is advisable to install a dribble chute with an angle as close to vertical as possible and to line it with a low-friction material such as Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Incorporating [flow aids](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/applied-vibration?hsLang=en) to help move the carryback material away from the cleaners can also be useful. ![1470V](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1470V.png?width=688&height=754&name=1470V.png)One way to solve the problem of buildup on a dribble chute is to create a dynamic sub-floor inside the chute. This can be accomplished by mounting a sheet of smooth, low-friction, abrasion-resistant plastic, such as UHMW polyethylene, parallel to the chute floor with one end unsecured, allowing the sheet to move freely. [A vibrator is mounted to this sheet, providing dynamic action to prevent material buildup.](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/applied-vibration?hsLang=en) Because this vibrating sheet is isolated from the steel chute work by a rubber cushion, there is very little force applied to the structure, reducing the risk of metal fatigue. An alternative system could include a flexible curtain or sheet of rubber used as a chute liner, which is periodically "kicked" with the discharge from an [air cannon](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/air-cannons?hsLang=en). This flexes the liner, causing any adhered material to drop away. [Access to the dribble chute should be provided](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-observation-and-inspection-doors?hsLang=en) to allow personnel to clear buildups and perform periodic washdowns to prevent blockages.   [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png?width=196&height=55&name=MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png "Martin Engineering Signature Logo")](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) Foundations™ Learning Center Copyright © 2025, Martin Engineering