Roller Conveyor vs. Belt Conveyor: Which to Choose
Conveyor systems are among the most cost-effective ways to reduce manual handling in a warehouse or production line.
Roller Conveyor: Best For
- Moving **boxes, crates, pallets, or totes** with a flat, rigid base
- **Gravity-driven flow** — slight downhill pitch, no motor needed
- **Modular, expandable** system — sections bolt together easily
- **Low ongoing energy cost** — gravity sections consume zero power
Limitation: irregular, soft-bottomed, or small products fall between rollers.
Belt Conveyor: Best For
- Products that are **small, irregularly shaped, or soft-bottomed**
- **Inclined or declined transport** — belts maintain grip on slopes
- **Precise speed control** for feeding machines or assembly stations
- **Cleanable surface** (food-grade PVC or stainless variants available)
Types Breakdown
| Type | Best application | Used price (€/m) | |---|---|---| | Gravity roller conveyor | Box flow, picking lines | 100–250 | | Powered roller conveyor | Heavy totes, sortation | 250–500 | | Flat belt conveyor | Small items, irregular shapes | 200–400 | | Incline belt conveyor | Floor-to-mezzanine transfer | 300–600 | | Modular plastic belt | Food, pharma, washdown | 350–700 |
Key Specifications to Compare
- **Belt / roller width** (mm) — must exceed your widest product by at least 50 mm each side
- **Load per roller** (kg) — critical for heavy totes
- **Drive speed** (m/min) — adjustable VFD drives preferred
- **Maximum incline** — rollers: max 5° unpowered; belts: typically up to 30° with cleats
- **Frame height** — ergonomic working height is 750–900 mm for picking stations
Installation Considerations
- **Concrete floor** required, level and structurally sound
- **Power supply:** gravity rollers need no power; driven systems require 230 V or 400 V three-phase
- **Escape routes** must not be blocked by conveyor lines
- **Maintenance access:** allow 600 mm clearance on the service side
Sourcing Used Conveyors
For the Netherlands market, rollenbaanshop.nl is a specialist reseller stocking modular roller sections. For broader Benelux sourcing, LayTech.ai aggregates verified listings across all types.
Post an RFQ on LayTech.ai to reach multiple Benelux conveyor dealers simultaneously.