11 hours ago
Why Rubber Belting Became a Field Solution
In the world of heavy equipment transport, trailer decks endure relentless abuse from tracked machinery. Bulldozers, excavators, and agricultural crawlers exert concentrated pressure on wood or steel surfaces, often leading to gouging, splintering, or accelerated wear. To counter this, operators have turned to an unconventional but effective solution: repurposing industrial conveyor belts as protective decking.
Conveyor belts, especially those salvaged from rock crushers or mining operations, are made of reinforced rubber with embedded steel or fabric layers. Their durability, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion make them ideal candidates for trailer applications. Unlike steel plates, which can be slippery and heavy, rubber belting offers traction and cushioning without adding excessive weight.
Installation Techniques and Practical Considerations
There are several ways to affix conveyor belts to trailer decks, each with its own trade-offs. Some operators prefer bolting the belts directly to the deck, using heavy-duty washers and countersunk bolts. This method works well for lighter tracked equipment but may fail under the force of a D8 dozer or similar machine. The track motion can tear bolts loose or cause the rubber to bunch and rip.
An alternative is to use tensioned ropes threaded through holes in the trailer deck, spaced every few feet along the belt’s edge. Rubber snubbers—elastic tensioning devices—can maintain pressure and prevent movement. However, this setup requires frequent maintenance, as ropes fray and snubbers degrade over time.
A more flexible approach involves rolling up the belts and chaining them to the trailer when not in use. When needed, the operator unrolls the mats and lays them down temporarily. This method preserves the belts and allows selective deployment depending on the load.
Weather and Traction Challenges
Rubber belts offer excellent protection, but they introduce new challenges. When wet, they become slick, reducing traction for both machinery and personnel. In rainy conditions, some operators choose to forgo the belts entirely, accepting minor wood damage in exchange for safer loading. Others apply sand or non-slip coatings to the belts to mitigate the risk.
Temperature also affects performance. In cold climates, rubber stiffens and may crack if improperly stored. To prevent this, belts should be kept rolled and covered when not in use, especially during winter months.
Alternative Materials and Sourcing Strategies
Some transport professionals have experimented with repurposed agricultural tracks from brands like AGCO, Case IH, and John Deere. These tracks, originally designed for high-horsepower tractors, are nearly indestructible and offer superior grip. However, their weight—often exceeding 200 pounds per section—makes them difficult to handle without mechanical assistance.
A Canadian operator reported using an excavator to position these tracks on his lowboy trailer. While effective, the setup required a team effort and added complexity to the loading process. Still, the longevity of these tracks made the investment worthwhile, especially for frequent hauls across gravel roads and frozen terrain.
Historical Context and Field Innovation
The use of rubber belting in transport dates back to the 1970s, when mining operations in Nevada began salvaging worn-out conveyor belts for road crossings. These belts protected asphalt from steel tracks and reduced dust generation. Over time, the practice spread to logging camps, pipeline crews, and agricultural haulers.
One notable story involves a Montana rancher who used conveyor belts to create a makeshift bridge over a seasonal creek. The belts, layered over timber beams, allowed tracked skid steers to cross without damaging the banks. The setup lasted five years before needing replacement, demonstrating the material’s resilience.
Recommendations for Trailer Deck Protection
For operators considering rubber belting, here are practical guidelines:
While no formal sales data exists for conveyor belts repurposed in transport, anecdotal evidence suggests widespread adoption among independent haulers and small fleet operators. As sustainability becomes a priority, reusing industrial materials like belting aligns with environmental goals and cost-saving strategies.
Manufacturers may eventually offer purpose-built rubber decking systems, integrating anti-slip textures and modular fastening kits. Until then, field ingenuity continues to drive innovation—one salvaged belt at a time.
In the world of heavy equipment transport, trailer decks endure relentless abuse from tracked machinery. Bulldozers, excavators, and agricultural crawlers exert concentrated pressure on wood or steel surfaces, often leading to gouging, splintering, or accelerated wear. To counter this, operators have turned to an unconventional but effective solution: repurposing industrial conveyor belts as protective decking.
Conveyor belts, especially those salvaged from rock crushers or mining operations, are made of reinforced rubber with embedded steel or fabric layers. Their durability, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion make them ideal candidates for trailer applications. Unlike steel plates, which can be slippery and heavy, rubber belting offers traction and cushioning without adding excessive weight.
Installation Techniques and Practical Considerations
There are several ways to affix conveyor belts to trailer decks, each with its own trade-offs. Some operators prefer bolting the belts directly to the deck, using heavy-duty washers and countersunk bolts. This method works well for lighter tracked equipment but may fail under the force of a D8 dozer or similar machine. The track motion can tear bolts loose or cause the rubber to bunch and rip.
An alternative is to use tensioned ropes threaded through holes in the trailer deck, spaced every few feet along the belt’s edge. Rubber snubbers—elastic tensioning devices—can maintain pressure and prevent movement. However, this setup requires frequent maintenance, as ropes fray and snubbers degrade over time.
A more flexible approach involves rolling up the belts and chaining them to the trailer when not in use. When needed, the operator unrolls the mats and lays them down temporarily. This method preserves the belts and allows selective deployment depending on the load.
Weather and Traction Challenges
Rubber belts offer excellent protection, but they introduce new challenges. When wet, they become slick, reducing traction for both machinery and personnel. In rainy conditions, some operators choose to forgo the belts entirely, accepting minor wood damage in exchange for safer loading. Others apply sand or non-slip coatings to the belts to mitigate the risk.
Temperature also affects performance. In cold climates, rubber stiffens and may crack if improperly stored. To prevent this, belts should be kept rolled and covered when not in use, especially during winter months.
Alternative Materials and Sourcing Strategies
Some transport professionals have experimented with repurposed agricultural tracks from brands like AGCO, Case IH, and John Deere. These tracks, originally designed for high-horsepower tractors, are nearly indestructible and offer superior grip. However, their weight—often exceeding 200 pounds per section—makes them difficult to handle without mechanical assistance.
A Canadian operator reported using an excavator to position these tracks on his lowboy trailer. While effective, the setup required a team effort and added complexity to the loading process. Still, the longevity of these tracks made the investment worthwhile, especially for frequent hauls across gravel roads and frozen terrain.
Historical Context and Field Innovation
The use of rubber belting in transport dates back to the 1970s, when mining operations in Nevada began salvaging worn-out conveyor belts for road crossings. These belts protected asphalt from steel tracks and reduced dust generation. Over time, the practice spread to logging camps, pipeline crews, and agricultural haulers.
One notable story involves a Montana rancher who used conveyor belts to create a makeshift bridge over a seasonal creek. The belts, layered over timber beams, allowed tracked skid steers to cross without damaging the banks. The setup lasted five years before needing replacement, demonstrating the material’s resilience.
Recommendations for Trailer Deck Protection
For operators considering rubber belting, here are practical guidelines:
- Use belts at least 3/4 inch thick for tracked equipment
- Avoid nailing; prefer bolting with wide washers or tensioned rope systems
- Store belts rolled and covered to prevent UV and cold damage
- Test traction in wet conditions before loading
- Consider agricultural tracks for high-impact applications
While no formal sales data exists for conveyor belts repurposed in transport, anecdotal evidence suggests widespread adoption among independent haulers and small fleet operators. As sustainability becomes a priority, reusing industrial materials like belting aligns with environmental goals and cost-saving strategies.
Manufacturers may eventually offer purpose-built rubber decking systems, integrating anti-slip textures and modular fastening kits. Until then, field ingenuity continues to drive innovation—one salvaged belt at a time.
