Chronics

In many industries — crushing, recycling, mining, agriculture, and construction — one reality remains: every ton counts. Yet, too many operations still rely on estimates or interrupted weighing processes, leading to productivity losses, loading errors, and hidden costs. 

What if your conveyor belt could become a real-time control tool?

That’s exactly what PFREUNDT belt scales offer—a powerful, yet still underutilized technology that is transforming material handling operations.

Discover PFREUNDT solutions at Groupe Alltech 

What is a conveyor belt scale?

A conveyor belt scale (or belt weigher) is a system that measures the weight of materials directly on the moving conveyor belt.

In simple terms, the system combines:

• load sensors to measure weight 
• a speed sensor to track belt movement
• an electronic controller that continuously calculates flow rate (tons per hour) and total weight

The result: real-time visibility into your production flow, without interrupting operations.

What makes PFREUNDT belt scales different?

Several solutions exist on the market, but PFREUNDT stands out with a clear philosophy: weigh while you work—without adding complexity.

Here’s what sets them apart:

1. Dynamic weighing integrated into operations:
   • The system measures weight during the conveying process, allowing faster, more accurate loading.
2. Easy installation—even as a retrofit: 
   • Thanks to its compact design, PFREUNDT scales can be installed on existing conveyor belts, regardless of the manufacturer.
3. One electronic unit for multiple conveyors: 
   • A key benefit for multi-line operations: a single system can manage multiple conveyor belts.
4. Real-time data access: 
   • Weighing data is available instantly, enabling faster and better operational decisions.
5. Built for harsh environments: 
   • Designed for demanding conditions (dust, vibration, outdoor environments), the system works reliably in both mobile and stationary applications.

Real-world benefits for your operation

Implementing a conveyor belt scale is not just about weighing—it’s about optimizing your entire production process:

• Reduced loading errors
  • No more guesswork—each load is controlled in real time..
• Increased productivity
  • Continuous weighing eliminates downtime and speeds up production cycles.
• Better material management
  • Accurate flow tracking means improved inventory control and reduced waste.
• Actionable data
  • Companies can analyze production, adjust processes, and improve overall performance.
• Fewer trips to stationary scales
  • Weigh materials directly where they are handled. 

Which industries benefit most?

  PFREUNDT conveyor belt scales are particularly valuable in:

• Mining and quarries
• Recycling and waste management 
• Agriculture and bulk handling
• Asphalt and aggregates 
• Industrial production

In short, any operation where bulk material moves on a conveyor.

Why is this technology still underused? 

 Despite its benefits, conveyor belt weighing systems remain underutilized in many markets. Why?

• traditional reliance on truck scales
• Lack of awareness regarding ROI
• Perceived technical complexity

Yet companies that adopt onboard weighing quickly realize:

less waste, more control, and better margins.  

Key takeaway

 PFREUNDT conveyor belt scales allow you to:

• Weigh continuously without stopping production
• Optimize loading in real time
• Access accurate, actionable data
• Improve operational profitability

A simple concept—with a major impact on the ground.

Want to see how it fits your operation? 

 Every operation is different. Key factors to evaluate include:

• your conveyor type
• your material
• your objectives (production, billing, quality control)

Contact the Groupe Alltech team for a solution tailored to your field reality.

The reality in the field

In mining and heavy transportation environments, every unplanned stop has a direct impact on productivity. A flat tire may seem minor, but in real-world operations, it often leads to delays, idle equipment, and unexpected maintenance costs.

The true cost of a flat tire

A flat tire isn’t just: 

• a tire to repair  

It also means:

• equipment taken out of service
• operators waiting    
• maintenance teams responding to unplanned interventions 

Time loss is the most critical factor — and one of the most underestimated costs in field operations.

OKO Mining & OKO Transport: a proactive approach

OKO solutions are designed to:

• instantly seal punctures
• prevent pressure loss
• allow equipment to keep operating without interruption

Unlike traditional repairs, OKO works continuously inside the tire, protecting it throughout daily operations.

Productivity and operational gains

Field-proven benefits include:

• Significant reduction in unplanned downtime
• Fewer corrective maintenance interventions
• Increased equipment availability
• Better use of maintenance and operations teams

The result: more productive hours per machine, without changing existing workflows.

Applications

• Mining equipment
• Heavy transport trucks
• Municipal and industrial fleets
• Off-road equipment operating in severe conditions

Conclusion – A simple solution with measurable impact

In industries where every minute counts, preventing flat tires becomes a direct productivity lever. .

OKO Mining and OKO Transport integrate easily into existing operations and deliver what field teams value most: less downtime and more production..

Find a distributor:

Lubrication is often viewed as a simple maintenance task. In reality, across mining, construction, forestry, agriculture, transportation, and industrial operations, it is one of the most critical factors affecting equipment reliability and uptime.

A failed bearing, premature pin and bushing wear, or damaged gearing often share a common root cause: inadequate lubrication.

Understanding the fundamentals of lubrication helps organizations extend equipment life, reduce maintenance costs, and improve operational productivity.

The Essential Role of a Lubricant

A lubricant does much more than simply help components move smoothly.

A high-performance lubricant must:

• Reduce friction
• Minimize wear
• Prevent corrosion
• Remove contaminants
• Protect against dirt and moisture
• Carry heavy loads
• Help dissipate heat generated during operation

When any one of these functions is compromised, component degradation accelerates rapidly.

Why Friction Causes Wear

Even surfaces that appear perfectly smooth under normal inspection contain thousands of microscopic peaks and valleys.

When two metal surfaces come into direct contact:

• Asperities interlock
• Heat increases
• Friction rises
• Wear accelerates

Over time, this process leads to excessive clearance, vibration, bearing failures, and eventually unplanned downtime.

The Lubricant Film: Your Equipment's First Line of Defense

The primary purpose of a lubricant is to create a protective film between moving surfaces.

When this film is maintained:

• Metal surfaces remain separated
• Friction is reduced
• Operating temperatures remain stable
• Component life is extended

When the film breaks down, metal-to-metal contact begins immediately. 

And so does wear.

The Three Lubrication Regimes

1. Hydrodynamic Lubrication – The Ideal Zone 

In this optimum condition, a full lubricant film completely separates the moving surfaces.

The components essentially "float" on the lubricant.

Benefits include:

• Minimal wear
• Lower energy consumption
• Maximum component life

This is the operating condition every world-class maintenance program strives to achieve.

2. Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication – Protection Under Load

In bearings, gears, and chains, contact pressures can become extremely high.

Under these conditions, the lubricant film temporarily stiffens and absorbs the load.

Although direct metal contact is prevented, this lubrication regime requires:

• The correct lubricant
• Proper viscosity
• Continuous lubricant replenishment

3. Boundary Lubrication – The Danger Zone

When the lubricant film becomes too thin, lubricant additives must intervene to prevent direct metal contact.

This condition results in:

• Increased wear
• Higher temperatures
• Reduced component life

Most lubrication-related failures begin in this zone.

And this is where manual greasing often falls short.

Why So Many Lubrication Problems Originate from Manual Greasing

The reality in the field is straightforward. 

Even highly skilled maintenance teams face challenges with manual greasing, including:

• Missed lubrication points
• Inconsistent lubrication intervals
• Under-greasing
• Over-greasing
• Hard-to-reach or hazardous locations
• Contamination during application

Between scheduled greasing intervals, equipment continues operating.

Meanwhile, the lubricant continues to deteriorate. 

This is often when accelerated wear begins. 

What Does Poor Lubrication Really Cost?

The cost of replacing a bearing is rarely the real issue.

The true cost often includes:

• Equipment downtime
• Maintenance labor
• Lost production
• Operational delays
• Damage to adjacent components

In heavy industries, just a few hours of downtime can represent thousands of dollars in lost productivity.

Lubrication should not be viewed as a maintenance expense.

It is an investment in equipment reliability and operational performance.

Why Viscosity Matters

Viscosity refers to a lubricant's resistance to flow.

A lubricant that is too thin can result in:

• Loss of lubricant film
• Accelerated wear

A lubricant that is too thick can lead to:

• Higher operating temperatures
• Increased energy consumption
• Poor lubricant circulation

The right lubricant must be delivered in the correct amount and at the appropriate interval.

Contamination: The Silent Bearing Killer

Dust, moisture, sand, and metallic particles are among the leading causes of premature component failure.

In industries such as:

• Mining
• Forestry
• Agriculture
• Construction
• Waste and recycling

contaminants are constantly present.

Only a few microscopic particles can gradually damage bearings, bushings, and other critical components.

Why Automatic Lubrication Changes the Game

An automatic lubrication system does not replace a solid maintenance strategy.

It enhances it.

Rather than delivering large amounts of grease at widely spaced intervals, automatic lubrication systems continuously apply small amounts of fresh lubricant.

This approach helps:

• Maintain a stable lubricant film
• Reduce contamination risks
• Minimize human error
• Extend component life
• Reduce manual maintenance
• Improve equipment availability

Manual Greasing vs. Automatic Lubrication

Even with Automation, Inspections Still Matter

Automation does not eliminate the need for routine inspections.

Operators should continue monitoring:

• Abnormal machine noise
• Operating temperatures
• Lubricant levels
• Hose and fitting conditions
• Overall system integrity;
• Leaks

The most effective reliability programs combine automated lubrication with regular inspections and preventive maintenance practices.

Conclusion: Reliability Starts with Lubrication 

Most fleet managers, maintenance professionals, and operations leaders share the same objectives:

• Reduce unplanned downtime
• Extend equipment life
• Increase productivity
• Lower operating costs

Yet no reliability strategy can succeed if lubrication is not properly controlled.

Manual greasing attempts to keep up.

Automatic lubrication stays ahead.

By providing a precise, continuous supply of fresh lubricant, ALLFETT systems help protect critical components, reduce wear, and improve equipment availability in the most demanding operating environments.

Want to Know if Automatic Lubrication Is Right for Your Equipment?

Reduce downtime. Increase reliability. Maximize productivity.

Contact the Groupe Alltech team to identify critical lubrication points and determine the ALLFETT solution best suited to your fleet, plant, or operation.

5 Essential Best Practices to Maximize Equipment Uptime

In off-road, mining, municipal, and agricultural operations, an automatic lubrication system is not a luxury—it is a direct driver of productivity and maintenance cost reduction.

However, its value depends on one critical factor: ensuring it operates properly at all times.

A simple, structured, and regular inspection helps prevent:

• premature component wear,
• costly breakdowns,
• unplanned downtime.

Here are the 5 key steps to keep your ALLFETT automatic lubrication system performing reliably, season after season.

1. Daily Visual Inspection: Your First Line of Defense

Every day, the operator should perform a quick inspection directly on the machine:

• Fresh grease visible at each lubrication point
• Hoses and fittings properly secured, with no leaks or abrasion
• No active alarms on the electronic control unit
• Test cycle completed to confirm proper pressure build-up

Why is this critical?

Detecting an issue while the equipment is stopped helps avoid unnecessary shop returns, lost production time, and more extensive repairs.

2. Seasonal Full Inspection: Prevent Issues Before They Impact Operations

Two periods are especially strategic for a comprehensive inspection:

• Fall: snow removal equipment.
• Spring: construction, paving, and agricultural equipment

This inspection allows you to:

• validate the condition of the pump and distribution system,
• identify weakened or damaged hoses,
• adjust or replace critical components before peak operating season.

A planned inspection = less downtime when the equipment is needed most.

3. Who Should Perform the Inspection?

Option 1 – Authorized ALLFETT Service Center

Having the inspection performed by an authorized service center provides:

• a complete system diagnosis,
• a documented inspection report,
• greater operational peace of mind.

Consult the list of recognized workshops :

Option 2 – Your Internal Team

Your technicians can also perform inspections using:

• the Alltech inspection checklist,
• the ALLFETT service manual,
• appropriate diagnostic tools.

The key is not who performs the inspection, but that it is done correctly and consistently.

Download the inspection sheet:

4. Go Further with a Preventive Maintenance Program

For fleets equipped with ALLFETT systems, Groupe Alltech’s LubriCare program is designed to:

• extend equipment service life,
• reduce corrective maintenance,
• stabilize maintenance costs,
• improve overall fleet reliability.

A proactive approach that turns lubrication into a true operational advantage.

Request a preventive maintenance service::

5. Parts, Hoses, and Expertise: Don’t Wait for a Breakdown

At Groupe Alltech, we carry a large inventory of parts, hoses and accessories for automatic lubrication systems of all brands. Whether you need repair kits, high-pressure hoses or specific parts, we have what you need to keep your equipment running smoothly.

Our advisors help customers quickly find the right part at the right time.

In Summary

An effective automatic lubrication system inspection means:

Fewer unexpected failures

• Improved equipment availability
• Consistent, controlled lubrication
• Maximum return on investment

Need assistance or expert support?

Contact your Groupe Alltech representative or our technical team.

1.855.218.6677

info@groupealltech.com