TRANSNET has invested in innovative CleanScrape belt cleaners from Martin Engineering at its Richards Bay bulk minerals import-export terminal.
The flagship bulk terminal handles 20 million tonnes of commodities every year – exporting magnetite, ferrochrome, bauxite and woodchips to destinations worldwide, and importing materials such as sulphur, coking coal and alumina.
With a network of around 30 conveyors moving materials in and out of the port, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, an efficient operation is essential. Transfer times must be kept to a minimum so shipping remains on schedule – that means maximising speed and volume without running the risk of excess spillages, blockages and buildups which, if left unchecked, can lead to conveyor damage or total breakdown. The plant also has some of the highest conveyor discharge points for loading the cargo holds of massive dry bulk carriers, making maintenance access challenging if things do go wrong.
Martin Engineering says only CleanScrape conveyor belt cleaners were capable of achieving the desired result, according to Transnet. Featuring unique patented technology, the system uses a matrix of tungsten carbide wear tips lightly tensioned across the discharge pulley in a three-dimensional helix shape.
Despite the low contact pressure between the cleaner and the belt, this arrangement is proven to remove as much as 95% of potential carryback material, not only delivering superior cleaning performance, but also lasting up to four times the service life of conventional blades – and in many cases much longer. Only occasional tension adjustment is needed after installation of CleanScrape, with minimal ongoing maintenance and a significant whole-life cost reduction, according to Martin Engineering.
Back in 2015, Transnet led the way as the first operator in South Africa to trial CleanScrape, keen to see if it could improve performance on the plant’s most challenging conveyor belts at Richards Bay. Conveyors of 1350mm and 1500mm (54 in. and 60 in.) width were experiencing excessive spillage in the discharge zones with fines adhering to belts and causing carryback to spill along the belt path and accumulate underneath the framework and out into walkways.
Following the installation of CleanScrape by Martin’s experienced technicians, it wasn’t long before the innovative design began proving its worth. Further installations followed on eight more conveyors, especially those at transfer points where access is difficult and space is limited, with no room for a conventional belt scraper and mainframe.
Transnet’s technical supervisor, Cyril Dludla said: “There has been a huge improvement in terms of spillage since the new scrapers were installed, and as a result we will be installing more CleanScrape belt scrapers to improve on spillage across the entire plant in Richards Bay. We are grateful to the team from Martin Engineering who installed the system at the site and continue to monitor performance.”
As part of a major plant overhaul, Transnet has followed through on its commitment with the installation of CleanScrape cleaners on a further 12 belts, meaning that all the plant’s key conveyors are fitted exclusively with the new primary cleaners.
Complementing the primary cleaners are Martin’s SQC2 (SC16 in Africa) secondary belt cleaners, which feature a unique installation and removal guide/cradle for safe and easy servicing. The SQC2s are fitted with blades that can withstand the most abrasive bulk cargoes and, combined with CleanScrape primaries, keep the belts running with virtually no spillage.
Janco Shulze, Martin Engineering’s sales representative in KwaZulu-Natal said: “We’re grateful to the team at Transnet who put their faith in Martin Engineering and we are delighted to be working with them to achieve a clean and efficient operation. Thanks to the reliability and performance of CleanScrape, Transnet’s maintenance teams can be deployed to other critical areas in the plant, ensuring hassle-free continuous running of essential belts.”
Lindokuhle Qwabe, technical manager (export) said the earlier CleanScrape installations not only outperformed conventional cleaners but also surpassed everyone’s expectations: “Some of the CleanScrape belt cleaners have been in place for over four years – they are adjusted or re-tensioned now and again, significantly reduced wear part costs and allowing us to keep production moving smoothly without frequent maintenance interruptions.”
Shulze added: “We’re confident that the latest CleanScrape installations will be a game-changer for Transnet’s total productivity, and the arrangement we have in place allows our service team to operate a robust inspection and maintenance regime – not that our belt cleaners need much attention! Martin Engineering is all about solving problems and, thanks to CleanScrape, we’re preventing problems from arising in the first place.”
Picture: CleanScrape uses a matrix of tungsten carbide wear tips lightly tensioned across the discharge pulley in a three-dimensional helix shape. Copyright Martin Engineering 2025
