With nearly 40 years of experience working with customers in the food processing industry, BSC Product Manager Troy Markland has become a Power Transmission connoisseur — managing a substantial portfolio of chain, pulleys, taper locks, sprockets, and ironware that will see a product from harvest, to processing, to the shelf of a local supermarket.

Troy’s role requires him to understand the processes that turn produce into product. “I oversee a lot of post-harvest food processing applications, which includes micromanaging every aspect of processes, thorough measurements of equipment, and taking care to follow up quickly on customer orders,” says Troy. “Whether it’s a pie or a loaf of bread, it all starts with the raw ingredients that are sourced from a farm.”

Australian agriculture is in unprecedented times, according to Troy. A robust harvest season has seen an increase in demand for power transmission products, impaired by the overseas logistical challenges and shortages of shipping containers which have placed a strain on product lead times.

In response to this, BSC has been working with partners like Fenner® who have good stock coverage to fulfill customer orders.  “Our partnership with Fenner® positions us well to get ahead of potential ordering issues because they are one of the most versatile suppliers we work with,” says Troy. “Fenner’s practical drive solutions are ideal for a range of applications found in food processing facilities.”

Coming out of the field, fresh produce gets cold washed on conveyors before being moved to peeling, slicing, and packaging. Fruits and vegetables may go through preparation processes such as preserving, cutting, canning, and cooking.

“The Fenner v-belt, pulley, and taper lock products are suitable for applications that can be found on food processing plant operations such as conveyor drives, coolers, washers, pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, and heat extraction units,” highlights Troy. “This is due to anti-static, temperature and moisture resistant materials that can withstand variable processes.”

Specifically, there are three core products in the Fenner range that Troy suggests as staples for the food production industry: The Fenner® Classic V Friction Belt, the Fenner® Friction Pulley, and the Fenner Taper Lock® bush system.

The Fenner® Classic V Friction Belt is conducive to static in accordance with ISO 1813 and constructed from a treated jacket that has heat, and oil resistant properties. In addition to these features, the belt uses Precision Build (PB) technology that makes it fast and easy to change out ‘fit and forget’ solution.

The versatility of the v-belt is well met by the speed and power of the Fenner® Friction Pulley, according to Troy. Manufactured from high grade iron, the Friction Pulley was designed for moving heavy amounts of produce at speeds of up to 40 metres per second. Each pulley is available with pilot bore fixings or a Fenner Taper Lock® bush shaft fixing system for precision and accuracy that will greatly reduce the risk of belt jumping.

The Fenner Taper Lock® bush is a readily available shaft fixing solution that Troy recommends to many of his customers for ease of installation.

“In contrast to some of the traditional key locking assemblies on the market, the Fenner Taper Lock® bush system is one of our preferred methods of fixing transmission components to machine shafts,” explains Troy. “The bush bore design is a simple and effective piece of engineering that allows for easy fitting to the machine shaft.”

When you have food processing machines that are operating around the clock, high-performing, reliable power transmission products are paramount for keeping up continuous production and the team at BSC work tirelessly alongside food producers to ensure that these machines can perform optimally year-round.

Fitting a Fenner® Taper Lock® System

  • Check that the bush bore model matches the diameter of the shaft
  • Ensure all tools and components are ready for installation
  • All mating surfaces should be cleaned with a lint-free cloth
  • Line up the bush holes with the half holes of the pulley hub
  • Always match a half hole with a bush hole
  • Place grub screws loosely into holes, turning by hand
  • Slide unit onto the machine shaft
  • Using a hexagon key or torque wrench secure screws to correct torque
  • Use a hammer to drift the unit on the shaft to correct gap
  • Run a short test before continuing to torque screws and drift alignment for the most secure fit possible
  • Test for a few hours before leaving application unattended