US Patent 8011498 Modular conveyor system and method

A low profile, portable, modular conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes three main components: a drive end, having a motor and gearboxes used to drive a pair of drive wheels, a center section, and an idle section comprising a stationary component attached to the center section and a pivoting component allowing the distal portion of the idle end to pivot in a transverse direction. The conveyor system includes means for hydraulically or mechanically adjusting the tension and tracking of the conveyor belt. The drive end may be removed from the conveyor system in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor system.