--- title: Complex Maintenance Procedures Lead To Neglecting Belt Conveyor Sealing Systems description: When choosing a skirt-sealing system, consider its adjustability and replacement ease. Proper maintenance reduces wear, leakage, and operational issues. --- [Skip to content](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/maintenance-of-the-belt-conveyor-sealing-system#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. [Belt Conveyor System Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance?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) # Complex Maintenance Procedures Lead To Neglecting Belt Conveyor Sealing Systems ## Simplifying Adjustment and Maximizing Efficiency When specifying a skirt-sealing system, it's important to consider its mechanism for adjusting and replacing the wearable rubber. As the conveyor operates, the heat generated by the friction between the belt and the skirting seal, combined with the abrasive fines from the materials, causes erosion of the sealing strip. To counteract this wear, the sealing strip needs periodic adjustment against the belt. ![An illustration showing the end of the load zone where the sealing ends.](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1320H.png?width=688&height=520&name=1320H.png) Applying excessive downward pressure on the sealing system not only increases the power required to move the belt but also accelerates wear on both the belt and the seal. Cumbersome or complex servicing procedures for skirting rubber can lead to three main issues: 1. **No adjustment**: If adjustments are neglected, the skirting strips wear out, gaps form, and leakage resumes. 2. **Infrequent adjustment**: Adjustments made too rarely [result in intermittent spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/minimizing-the-escape-of-fugitive-material?hsLang=en). 3. **Over-adjustment**: To compensate for irregular adjustments, maintenance personnel or conveyor operators may apply excessive force to the seal. This [risks damaging the belt](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-damage?hsLang=en) or catching a splice, potentially ripping out the entire section of sealing strip. To mitigate these problems, skirtboard seal maintenance procedures should be streamlined, requiring minimal tools and downtime. Sealing systems that gently rest on the belt, utilizing their own weight or designed tension, can minimize the frequency of maintenance adjustments. Some multi-layer sealing systems feature self-adjusting capabilities, where the elastomeric material maintains sealing pressure. As the secondary strip wears, the inherent resilience of the elastomer keeps it firmly against the belt, ensuring effective sealing. [![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