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Conveyor Belt Splicing: Hot, Cold and Mechanical Joins

Conveyor belt splicing in South Africa: hot vulcanising, cold splicing and mechanical joins. Send one free request and splicing contractors quote you directly.

  • Quotes from: Splicing contractors
  • Area: All nine provinces
  • Cost to you: Free, no obligation
A splicing crew vulcanising a joint across a wide black rubber conveyor belt on a South African site
A splicing crew vulcanising a joint across a wide black rubber conveyor belt on a South African site

Conveyor belt splicing joins the two ends of a belt into an endless loop, or repairs a cut or damaged length. A good splice carries the full load. A poor one is the weak point that fails at the worst time. ConveyorBelting.co.za is a free quote-request service. Describe your belt and where it runs, and we pass your request to independent splicing contractors who quote directly. We don't carry out splicing ourselves. The request is free, and there is no obligation to accept any quote.

Types of belt splicing

The right belt splicing method depends on the belt, the duty and the downtime allowed:

  • Hot vulcanising: heat and pressure bond the plies or cords into a strong, smooth joint
  • Cold splicing: bonding with cold-cure adhesives, used where heat is not possible
  • Mechanical splices: metal fasteners or clips, quick but less strong
  • Finger splices: interlocking fingers on PVC and light belts

Steel-cord belts need hot vulcanising, as fasteners cannot grip the cords.

Hot vulcanising

Hot vulcanising gives the strongest joint for rubber belts. The crew skives the covers, steps or fingers the plies or cords, lays uncured rubber and cement, then cures it in a heated press under pressure. Steel-cord belts need a longer, carefully stepped splice. Quality depends on clean, dry conditions, accurate temperature and pressure, and the trained splicer's skill. Ask whether the contractor follows the belt maker's splice procedure. A well-made splice is usually the same strength as the belt, and a good crew checks it again after the first hours of running.

Cold splicing and mechanical joins

Cold splicing suits repairs where a press cannot be used, such as underground or in places with fire risk. It is faster, but usually slightly weaker than a hot splice. Mechanical fasteners join belts in minutes and suit temporary fixes or light belts, though they wear the pulley lagging and cleaner blades, and cannot be used on all belts. Choose by duty, not by speed alone. A mechanical join that was meant to be temporary often stays for months, so plan the permanent splice at the next planned shutdown.

Skills, training and safety

Splicing work needs trained people. Many contractors run a belt splicing course and offer conveyor belt training for in-house crews. Work must meet the Mine Health and Safety Act on mines and the OHS Act and Driven Machinery Regulations elsewhere: lock-out the conveyor, isolate power, secure the belt against movement and control hot work near flammable material. Ask for splicer qualifications, references and a method statement. Also ask about a warranty on the splice and about the contractor's response time for breakdowns, since a failed splice stops the whole conveyor.

Comparing quotes for conveyor belt splicing

The lowest rate is not always the cheapest job. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: what is included, the method to be used and which materials and consumables the contractor supplies.
  • Time on site: crew size, hours needed and whether they can work inside your shutdown window or at night.
  • Safety and paperwork: site induction, medicals, risk assessments and lock-out procedures for mine or plant work.
  • Guarantee: what the contractor guarantees, for how long, and the call-out terms if something fails.

What to include in your request

  • Belt width, plies or ST rating, and cover thickness
  • Textile or steel cord, and any special type such as fire-resistant
  • Splice method wanted, or the purpose, such as repair or new join
  • Site location, access and the shutdown window
  • Whether materials are supplied or must be quoted

Frequently asked questions

Do you do belt splicing yourselves?
No. ConveyorBelting.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to independent splicing contractors who quote directly and do the work. There is no charge for the request and no obligation to accept any quote. Compare a few contractors on method, experience and availability.
Which is better, hot or cold splicing?
Hot vulcanising gives the strongest and longest-lasting splice, and is the standard for permanent joins in heavy-duty rubber belts. Cold splicing is useful for repairs where heat cannot be used. A contractor can advise on the right method for your belt, tension and downtime.
How long does a splice take?
It depends on belt width, number of plies or steel cord, and the method. A mechanical fastener may take an hour or two. A hot splice on a wide, multi-ply or steel-cord belt can take many hours, including curing and cooling. Plan the shutdown with your contractor.
Can my own staff be trained to splice?
Yes. Several contractors and suppliers run splicing courses covering preparation, splice procedures and safety. Training suits plants that have frequent repairs and want quicker response. Ask for course content, practical time on real belt and whether certification is provided.

Conveyor Belt Splicing by province

Conveyor Belt Splicing by city and town

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