The drum motor belt drive design entered the conveyor industry in the early 50’s as a unique drive for belt conveyor applications.
What sets the drum motor apart from a conventional conveyor drive is that the drum motor has all drive components, such as the electric motor, gear reducer and all bearings, housed inside the drum. Without exposed drive components and with no other drive parts rotating outside the conveyor frame, the drum motor presents a unique belt drive design. The drum motor also maximizes space utilization and worker safety, as components such external electric motor, gear reducer, bearings, chain and chain guards, all mounted outside the conveyor frame, are not needed. Those components can be hazardous to people required to work around conventional conveyor drives.