YPT Grasshopper Conveyors

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Mobility Meets Reliability in Portable Conveying

YPT Grasshopper Conveyors

A Grasshopper Conveyor — sometimes also called a “jump conveyor”, “portable transfer conveyor”, or “grass¬hopper transfer conveyor” — is a mobile, modular belt conveyor system designed to move bulk material (ore, aggregate, sand, slag, etc.) between points on a processing site.

It is typically mounted on wheels or tracks, has a foldable/truss structure for transport, and can be repositioned easily to suit changing layouts.

The term “grasshopper” refers to its ability to hop (move) around the site, linking fixed conveyors or replacing trucks/load-haul systems in certain segments.

Areas of Application

  • In mining and aggregate operations:

    as a mobile link from crusher feed to stockpile conveyor, or between different plant modules.

  • On stockpiling / reclaim yards:

    to reposition material transfer quickly when piles shift or layout changes.

  • At ports, inland terminals, logistic hubs:

    linking truck dump hoppers to ship loaders or fixed conveyors with minimal civil work.

  • For short overland transfer where full overland conveyor installation is not economical:

    an intermediate belt that replaces a haul truck or front-loader cycle.

Principle of Operation

  • The Grasshopper Conveyor is essentially a conventional belt conveyor with head pulley, tail pulley, belt loop and idlers, but built for portability: the structure is modular, often trussed, sometimes with folding sections, and mounted on wheels or tracks for relocation.
  • The tail (or lower) section often sits on adjustable supports or wheels; the head (discharge) end can be raised/ lowered and aligned to the receiving conveyor or pile.
  • Material is fed at one end (via hopper, truck dump, fixed conveyor) and discharged at another end. Because of mobility, the conveyor may frequently be repositioned to suit different feed or discharge points.
  • Because the equipment is mobile, design emphasises ease of setup, alignment, belt tensioning, transport, and minimal site civil anchoring. Designers often provide quick-connect modules, fold-up structure, built-in wheels/axles, hitch or tracked undercarriage.

Flexible Material Transport for Dynamic Mining Sites

YPT Grasshopper Conveyors Highlights

Designed to Move with Your Operation

Design Criteria

Mobility:

wheels, tracks or tow-hitch; quick-connect modules

Length & width:

determine material capacity and transfer distance.

Belt width and speed:

match tonnage and lump size

Support/structure:

truss design, folding capability, adjustable height.

Setup time:

ability to deploy/reposition quickly reduces downtime.

Feed and discharge elevation:

adjustable head section height, tail section clearance.

Material characteristics:

size, moisture, density — affect capacity and belt design.

Interface with fixed systems:

alignment, feed hopper, receiving chute, belt transfer design.

Technical Specifications

Conveyor Length:

~12 m to ~45 m (≈40 ft to ≈150 ft)Mobility limited length ranges

Belt Width:

~800 mm to ~1400 mm (≈31″ to ≈55″)

Capacity:

Up to ~2,000 t/h or more

Discharge Angles / Elevation:

Typical incline ~3–7° (≈5–12%)

Lump Size:

Up to ~300 mm (~12″)Must match feed size capability

Mobility:

Wheel-mounted or track-mounted, foldable structureEnables site repositioning

Important Considerations:

  • Mobility doesn’t mean “anywhere”:

    ground preparation, safe travel path, and repositioning logistics still matter.
  • When selecting, ensure the belt width/speed is adequate for tonnage – because mobile units are sometimes under-specified compared to fixed conveyors.

  • Look at the supporting structure’s robustness:

    frequent relocation adds fatigue loads.

  • Consider the trade-off between mobility and maintenance:

    mobile units may have more moving parts (wheels, axles, hydraulics) that require upkeep

  • Integration of feed/discharge chutes and material flow is critical:

    if the belt is mobile, but upstream feed remains fixed, the mobile unit may become a bottleneck.

  • Spare parts and maintenance logistics matter:

    mobile units are often re-used across sites, so spare availability and serviceability are important.

  • Consider future lifespan:

    if the unit will remain in one position for years, a fixed conveyor might offer lower cost per ton.

  • Safety of repositioning:

    ensure all mechanical/structural components rated for repeated folding/unfolding.
  • Dust and spillage management remains more complex on mobile setups due to less rigid skirt/structure compared to fixed conveyors.