The Complete Guide to Bulk Material Handling Equipment
Whether you're moving sand, salt, gravel, or scrap, the right equipment makes all the difference. This guide breaks down the essential components of bulk material handling systems so that you can choose the right setup for your operation.
1. Feeders & Hoppers: Controlling Flow from the Start
Feeders and hoppers are the first step in any material handling system. They regulate flow, prevent bottlenecks, and ensure consistent delivery to downstream equipment.
Use Cases:- Loading conveyors
- Metering material into crushers or screens
- Temporary storage and controlled discharge
- Hoppers and Bin Belt Feeders
- Hoppers with customizable horizontal or incline discharge
🔗 Explore our hopper and bin belt feeder inventory for ready-to-ship or custom options.
2. Magnetic Separators: Protecting Your Equipment
Use Cases:- Recycling operations
- Aggregate and mining
- Scrap metal sorting
- Built in the USA, a powerful 1500 gauss 42"x42"x12" ceramic, permanent magnet rests in a strong channel frame. Hydraulic or single phase motor options are available.
🔗 Browse our Iron City Supply cross belt magnets built for industrial durability or our used magnet options.
3. Unloaders: Efficient Transfer from Trucks and Railcars
Unloaders streamline the transfer of bulk material from transport vehicles into your system. They reduce manual labor and improve safety.
Use Cases:- Railcar unloading
- Truck dump stations
- Barge and ship unloading
🔗 Need help designing a custom unloading system? Request a quote for tailored recommendations.
Watch Iron City Supply's rail car unloader in action
How to use an end dump HD Unloader and grasshopper stackers to unload salt from dump trucks
4. Stackers: Maximizing Stockpile Efficiency
Stackers automate the creation of stockpiles, saving space and labor while improving material consistency.
Use Cases:- High-volume aggregate stockpiling
- Salt, sand, gravel, and crushed stone storage
- Loadout staging, bulk goods transfer
- Mining and Quarrying: Stockpiling minerals, ore, coal, and aggregates
- Construction and Demolition: Managing sand, gravel, asphalt, and C&D waste
- Ports and Terminals: Storing bulk goods like coal, salt, stone, and wood chips
- Power Plants: Stockpiling coal or biomass with high-density storage
- Recycling: Sorting and stockpiling metals, concrete, textiles
- Agriculture: Handling grains and fertilizer with precision placement
- Portable radial stackers for mobile sites
- Truss frame stackers for long spans
- Channel frame stackers for heavy-duty use
🔗 Browse our radial stacker conveyor inventory to find the right stacker for your site.
Putting It All Together: Designing a Complete System
A well-designed bulk material handling system integrates each component to optimize flow, reduce downtime, and improve ROI.
Tips for System Design:- Match equipment to material type and volume
- Consider layout constraints and mobility needs
- Factor in maintenance access and safety features
🔗 Explore our bulk material handling solutions or contact our team for a custom quote.
Watch our Frac Sand Load Out System in action!
Ready to Build or Upgrade Your System?
Iron City Supply offers new, fully-customizable equipment and solutions, as well as used equipment for budget-friendly wallets, fast lead times, and expert support. Whether you're replacing a single stacker or designing a full system, we’re here to help.
Call us at 814-701-2111 or email sales@ironcitysupply.com for expert recommendations.
🔗 Browse our inventory:
- Radial stackers
- Custom truss conveyor builds
- Channel frame builds
- Hoppers and bin belt feeders
- Cross belt magnets
- Rail car unloaders
Need help choosing the right equipment? Contact us for a personalized recommendation or quote.