01Bulk Tanker Filling Below Silos
Loading powders from below a silo into closed bulk tankers. The spout seats on the tanker hatch and displaced air is extracted.
Silo SystemsLoading Bellows – Dust-Free Bulk Loading into Tankers, Trucks and Open Trailers
PRO MAKINA · Loading Bellows
- Duty
- Dust-free loading of bulk product into vehicles
- Movement
- Telescopic lowering and raising
- Dust control
- Extraction connection on the bellows
- End of filling
- Level detection at the outlet
Overview
Controlled Loading from Silo or Bunker into Vehicles
Loading bellows, also called a loading spout, are telescopic loading equipment that lowers bulk product from a silo, bunker or conveyor outlet into a bulk tanker, truck or open trailer. It does not convey horizontally; it carries the flow received from the upstream equipment down to the vehicle opening inside a closed line.
A powered hoist lowers the bellows to the vehicle's filling hatch or to the product surface. The product flows down the inner cone line while the outer bellows separates the flow from its surroundings. Dusty air displaced from the vehicle during filling is drawn to the dust collection system through the extraction connection on the bellows.
A level sensor at the outlet signals that the product has reached the spout; the feed from the upstream equipment is stopped and the bellows is raised. Spillage and dust release are reduced in this way.
01Process Flow
Loading Bellows Process Flow
The diagram shows the product arriving from the upstream feed point, the bellows being lowered to the vehicle opening, controlled loading and the bellows being raised at the end of filling. Silo, bunker and dust filter are separate equipment.
Scroll horizontally to view the full diagram.
Product line
- 1
Upstream feed: Product arrives at the bellows inlet flange from a silo, bunker or conveyor outlet.
- 2
Lowering: The hoist lowers the bellows to the vehicle filling hatch or product surface.
- 3
Controlled loading: Product flows down the inner cone line; the outer bellows encloses the flow.
- 4
End of filling: The level sensor signals a full spout; the feed stops and the bellows is raised.
Dust extraction
- A
Displaced air: Dusty air leaving the vehicle is drawn through the bellows connection to the dust collection system.
The bellows stroke is determined by the height difference between the upstream connection and the vehicle filling opening.
02Applications
Loading Bellows Applications
01
02Fertilizer Loading
Loading granular fertilizer from storage or product bunkers into trucks. Dust and particle breakage are reduced by shortening the free-fall height.
Fertilizer and Granulation Plants
03Mineral and Dusty Product Loading
Loading lime, sand, cement-like powders and minerals into vehicles. For products with a high dusting tendency the extraction connection is part of the design.
Mining and Mineral Processing
04Open Trailer and Stockpile Loading
Controlled discharge into open trailers without a closed hatch or onto a stockpile. Keeping the spout close to the product surface limits dust release.
Dust Collection Systems
03Design & Manufacturing
Custom Loading Bellows Design and Manufacturing
PRO MAKINA engineers loading bellows around the product to be loaded, the vehicle type, the height difference between the upstream connection and the vehicle opening, and the dust control requirement. Bellows construction, inner flow line, hoist unit, outlet and sensors are selected together.
- Outer bellows and inner cone flow line
- Powered hoist and positioning
- Outlet with level detection
- Dust extraction connection
Process Design Data
- 01
Product
Product type, particle size, bulk density and dusting tendency.
- 02
Vehicle and Opening
Bulk tanker, truck or open trailer; size and position of the filling opening.
- 03
Height and Stroke
Upstream connection height, vehicle opening height and required bellows travel.
- 04
Loading Rate
Product rate delivered by the upstream equipment and a matching flow section.
- 05
Dust and Control
Extraction connection, existing filter, local pendant and automation signals.
Bellows stroke, diameter and loading rate are defined from product and site data; no generic values are stated on this page.
04Gallery
Loading Bellows Photo Gallery
05FAQ
Loading Bellows FAQ
What are loading bellows used for?
They lower bulk product from a silo, bunker or conveyor outlet into a bulk tanker, truck or open trailer inside a closed line, reducing spillage and dust release.
How is the bellows raised and lowered?
A powered hoist lowers the bellows to the vehicle opening or product surface and raises it when filling is complete. It can be operated from a local pendant or from the automation system.
How is dust controlled?
Dusty air displaced from the vehicle during filling is drawn through the extraction connection on the bellows to the dust collection system, either an existing filter or one added in the project.
Do loading bellows weigh the product?
No. The bellows lowers the product into the vehicle; the flow is started and stopped by the upstream equipment. The loaded quantity is determined by a weighbridge or a separate weighing system where required.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Product type and bulk density, particle size, vehicle type, upstream connection and vehicle opening heights, loading rate and dust extraction requirement.
06Resources
Related Machines and Plants
Silo SystemsStorage of bulk products for stock and process use.Slide GatesOpening and shutting off flow at silo and bunker outlets.Pulse Jet Dust CollectorCollecting dust from process air on filter bags.Auxiliary & Flow EquipmentLoading, diverting, flow control and pneumatic air equipment.
Technical Quotation
Request a technical quotation for loading bellows
Share your product, vehicle type and the height difference at the loading point, and we will define the loading bellows together with you.
Information Needed for a Technical Quotation
- Product type and bulk density
- Particle size and dusting tendency
- Vehicle type (tanker, truck, open trailer)
- Upstream connection and vehicle opening heights
- Loading rate
- Dust extraction and control requirement