Ask Captain Car Wash: Belt versus chain conveyor systems

CCW: If someone is building a wash, should a new investor be aiming to install a belt over a conveyor?

BB: I get asked this question from every new investor looking for direction on equipment. There is no better or worse, only pros and cons. The car wash equipment industry is filled with variables. One advantage of belts is that they are much less intimidating to some drivers versus the chain conveyor, where they have to navigate their left tire into a track system. Some operators use this as part of their brand and marketing strategy.

CCW: Is a belt much more expensive than a traditional chain conveyor

BB:  Yes, belts are generally three to four times the cost of a traditional chain conveyor. 

CCW: Which has a lower operating cost and maintenance

BB: A standard chain conveyor will process approximately 700,000 to 800,000 cars before the chain requires replacement. According to belt manufacturers (depending on the brand), they will process up to 1.2M cars before needing replacement. In both cases, this requires regular maintenance and cleaning. To replace the chain and dollies, you may see a cost of approximately $20,000 to $30,000, whereas the belt will cost upwards of $100,000. Maintenance on a belt is relatively low nowadays. The important key is to clean the belt each night to remove the dirt buildup between the articulating pieces that fold around the sprocket. Both a chain and belt will stretch with usage, and you will need to keep them adjusted and remove links as required.  

CCW: What are the impacts of cleaning the vehicle using a belt?

BB: When a chain conveyor moves your car through the wash, the tires are turning, which enables more options for equipment to clean tires and rims. When using a belt, the tire remains stationary, so some brushes will be able to wash them, but high-pressure water combined with good chemistry is often used to ensure adequate grime removal. One additional attribute of a belt is the ability to wash any vehicle that would typically be limited by a slightly wider tire or lower ride height. While most chain conveyors have addressed rim damage due to plastic runners, there is no potential for rim damage on a belt.

In a traditional conveyor, the vehicle should always be perfectly centred relative to the equipment. This means that if the vehicle is slightly off the centerline, it could potentially impact the equipment's cleaning effectiveness. However, today’s equipment has been adapted to accommodate both belts and chain conveyors, so this is not a significant factor in making your decision. 

CCW: Are there additional operating costs to consider when installing a belt?

BB: Yes, water usage is a key part of the operation of the belt. You must continually rinse the belt to remove the dirt and debris that can cause wear. Depending on the brand of belt, we see a range of anywhere from thirty to eighty-three gallons per minute required.  Based on the belt and length being installed on a new wash, it definitely forces the investor to utilize a reclaim system to keep their water costs in line. 

CCW: Can you wash more cars on a belt than a chain conveyor? BB: Vehicles can be loaded closer together on a belt because the pushers are typically 18” apart. On a chain conveyor, they are typically 42” apart. This means that if properly loaded, more cars can be processed on a belt than a chain running the same car per hour chain speed. There are a lot more factors that play into chain speed and belt speed. Hopefully, this has addressed the main questions. 

CCW: Thanks, Bill, for your insight. I’m sure there is a lot more to learn about belts for those looking to purchase one. 

BB: Yes, some very good resources in Ontario can be utilized to help your conveyor purchase, whether it is a chain, wash belt or detail belt. Keep on washin’!