Overview
A flexible conveyor is built on a concertina frame that extends, curves and retracts. Pulled out, it stretches to several times its stored length and bends round obstacles to follow whatever path is needed. Pushed together, it collapses into a fraction of that space and rolls away on castors.
This is the answer to work that does not happen in the same place every day. Loading a container, unloading a lorry, running a seasonal packing bench or feeding a line that gets rearranged between shifts. A fixed conveyor cannot do any of that. A flexible conveyor is wheeled into position, extended into the trailer or across the floor, used, then collapsed and stored against a wall.
They come in gravity and powered versions. Gravity units use skate wheels or rollers and rely on a slight fall or a push from the operator, which keeps them light, cheap and free to position anywhere. Powered units drive the rollers so product moves without being pushed, which matters when the run is long, when it has to climb into a trailer, or when the pace of loading is set by the line rather than by the person on the end of it.
Belt types
Gravity skate wheel
The lightest option, running on skate wheels. Easy to move and position by hand, and suited to cartons and parcels over shorter runs.
Gravity roller
Full-width rollers instead of skate wheels, giving better support for heavier or larger cartons while still needing no power.
Powered flexible
Driven rollers so product moves without being pushed. Used for longer runs, faster loading rates and gradients into trailers and containers.
Vertical adjustable
Height-adjustable legs so the conveyor can meet a trailer bed, dock leveller or bench at the right working height.
Key features
Extends and retracts
The concertina frame pulls out to several times its stored length and collapses back down, so it takes up almost no floor space when it is not in use.
Curves round obstacles
The frame flexes sideways, so the conveyor follows the path the job needs rather than requiring a straight clear run.
Moves on castors
Wheeled and lockable, so one conveyor serves several docks, bays or benches instead of needing a fixed installation at each.
Reaches into containers
Extends into a trailer or container so goods are carried to the point of stacking, instead of being carried by hand from the dock.
No installation required
It is positioned rather than installed, so there is no groundwork, no fixed footprint and no need to redesign the floor around it.
Powered or gravity
Gravity for lightweight, low-cost flexibility; powered where runs are long, rates are high or product must climb a gradient.
Applications
- Container and trailer loading
- Vehicle unloading at goods-in
- Dispatch and despatch bay handling
- Temporary and seasonal line extensions
- Peak period overflow handling
- Feeding and offloading packing benches
- Layouts that change between shifts or products
- Sites with no space for a fixed conveyor
Typical specifications
- Types
- Gravity skate wheel, gravity roller, and powered flexible
- Extension
- Concertina frame extending to several times its retracted length
- Flexibility
- Curves sideways to follow the required path and work round obstacles
- Mobility
- Mounted on lockable castors for repositioning between bays and benches
- Height
- Adjustable legs to match trailer beds, dock levellers and bench heights
- Product types
- Cartons, parcels, cases and totes with a firm base
- Frame
- Painted or galvanised steel, sized to the load and duty
Typical values for this conveyor type. Final specifications are confirmed for your application on quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a flexible conveyor used for?
Flexible conveyors are used for work that moves: loading containers and trailers, unloading vehicles at goods-in, handling seasonal peaks, and feeding temporary packing areas. They extend into the space where the work is happening, then collapse and roll away when it is finished.
What is the difference between gravity and powered flexible conveyors?
Gravity units run on skate wheels or rollers and need either a slight fall or a push from the operator. They are lighter, cheaper and easier to move. Powered units drive the rollers so product moves on its own, which is what you need for long runs, faster loading rates, or where product has to climb a gradient into a trailer.
How far does a flexible conveyor extend?
The concertina frame extends to several times its retracted length, with the exact figures depending on the unit specified. Because it also curves, the practical reach depends on the path taken as well as the straight-line length, so it is sized against the actual loading task.
Can it be used inside a container or trailer?
Yes, that is one of its main uses. The conveyor extends into the vehicle so goods are delivered to the point of stacking rather than being carried in by hand, which is where most of the time and physical effort in container loading is spent.
Does a flexible conveyor need installation?
No. It is positioned rather than installed. It rolls on castors, the legs adjust for height, and it is locked in place for use. There is no groundwork, no fixed footprint, and it can be moved to another bay or stored against a wall the same day.
What product can it handle?
Cartons, parcels, cases and totes with a firm flat base handle well. Skate wheel units suit lighter cartons, while roller units give better support for larger or heavier ones. Very small, soft or irregular items can catch between wheels and should be reviewed before specifying.