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Flexible Gravity Conveyors
Flexible gravity conveyors solve a problem that fixed conveyor sections cannot — they adapt to the space between your dock and the back wall of a trailer, and they do it without power. These expandable, accordion-style conveyors extend to reach deep into truck trailers, contract as the trailer fills, and curve around obstacles to connect multiple dock doors from a single portable unit.
Barron Equipment carries the NestaFlex line of flexible gravity conveyors from FMH Conveyors, available in both skatewheel and roller configurations. Whether your operation handles lightweight retail parcels or heavier distribution cartons, there is a model engineered for your throughput, package type, and usage frequency.
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Expandable Gravity Roller Conveyor for Odd-Shaped Packages
All-steel expandable roller conveyor for odd-shaped cartons, drums, and pails. Self-tracking design with 200 lb per linear foot capacity for low-to-medium volume loading and unloading.Read more -
NestaFlex 226 – Expandable Skatewheel Conveyor for Retail and Packaging
Self-tracking expandable skatewheel conveyor for retail backrooms, packaging areas, and low-volume shipping departments. 226 lb per linear foot capacity with three wheel options.Read more -
NestaFlex 376AL/FL – Heavy-Duty Expandable Skatewheel Conveyor
Heavy-duty expandable skatewheel conveyor with double-welded cross braces and four-point leg connections for high-volume distribution, manufacturing, and shipping operations.Read more -
NestaFlex 376PL – Expandable Truck Loading Conveyor with Guide Track
The leading expandable gravity conveyor for outbound trailer loading. Perpendicular legs, guide track integration, and herringbone transition for high-volume distribution centers.Read more
Flexible Roller vs. Flexible Skatewheel Conveyors
The choice between roller and skatewheel construction depends on your product mix and handling environment. Flexible roller conveyors use cylindrical steel rollers that support odd-shaped packages, soft-bottom bags, and items too small or irregular for skatewheels. Flexible skatewheel conveyors use rows of small wheels that are lighter, easier to maneuver, and better suited for flat-bottomed cartons and parcels moving at higher volumes.
Both types expand and contract on an accordion-style frame, curve into various configurations to match dock layouts, and operate using gravity alone — no electrical power required.
Applications
Expandable gravity conveyors are most commonly deployed at shipping docks and receiving areas where trailers need to be loaded or unloaded efficiently. A single flexible unit can serve multiple dock doors by rolling it into position as needed. Other common uses include temporary conveyor lines during peak season, retail backroom receiving operations, assembly line staging, and overflow handling during demand surges. These portable conveyors eliminate the infrastructure costs and setup delays of fixed systems, making them a strong fit for operations that need to reconfigure material flow on the fly.
Choosing the Right Flexible Gravity Conveyor
Selecting the right model starts with understanding your daily volume, the types of packages you handle, and how often the conveyor will be deployed and repositioned. Light-to-medium volume operations — such as retail stores and small shipping departments — often perform well with the NestaFlex 226 skatewheel model. High-volume distribution and logistics environments benefit from the heavier-duty 376 series, which features double-welded cross braces, heavy-duty square tubing legs, and all-bolted construction for long-term durability. For applications involving odd-shaped or soft-bottom packages, the NestaFlex 200 roller model handles products that skatewheel conveyors cannot.
Key factors to evaluate include conveyor width (18, 24, or 30 inches), extended length, axle center distance, load capacity per foot, leg style (fixed or adjustable height), and skatewheel or roller material.
What is a flexible gravity conveyor?
A flexible gravity conveyor is a portable, expandable material handling system that uses gravity or a slight incline to move packages along a series of skatewheels or rollers. The accordion-style frame extends, contracts, and curves to connect loading docks with truck trailers or fixed conveyor lines — all without electricity.
When should I choose a flexible conveyor over a fixed gravity conveyor?
Choose a flexible conveyor when your operation requires portability, frequent reconfiguration, or the ability to reach into truck trailers from a loading dock. Fixed gravity conveyors are better suited for permanent, stationary conveyor runs in warehouses and production lines where the layout does not change.
Can one expandable conveyor serve multiple dock doors?
Yes. Because flexible gravity conveyors are portable and roll on casters, a single unit can be moved between dock doors as needed. This reduces equipment costs and allows smaller operations to handle multiple trailer positions without purchasing dedicated conveyors for each door.
What is the difference between the NestaFlex 226 and 376 series?
The NestaFlex 226 is designed for light-to-medium volume operations with self-tracking construction that keeps packages on the conveyor even when curved. The 376 series is built for high-volume, heavy-duty use with double-welded cross braces, heavy-duty legs, and all-bolted construction for maximum durability and extended service life.
Does Barron Equipment help with flexible conveyor selection and installation?
Yes. Barron Equipment provides selection assistance based on your package dimensions, daily volume, dock layout, and throughput goals. Our team can help you determine the right model, width, length, and accessories for your operation. Barron serves Iowa, Illinois, and parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.