HiScotty;
The material buildup will not be on the vee belt pulleys.
These conveyor belts are from 4 Ft. to 6 ft. wide. The conveyor belt is driven by a 54" diameter flat pulley, if I understand correctly. That is the pulley that will be subject to the material build-up.
You are correct that a mechanical scraper may work well. The problem is manpower. Some folk love the rough and rugged life style. After 30 years, 08summit must be one of the folk who love the lifestyle. Most people don't.
About 10 months ago I was casually offered a steady job in one of the tar sand plants. I declined with thanks. The supervisor mentioned that the overtime was pushing the annual gross up to about $200,000. It was a great offer but it just didn't fit my life style. Best paying job I ever didn't take.
But the point is, for most folk, the climate and the lifestyle are brutal. Some of the plants there have their own airports and staggered days off. Every day the planes fly the workers home on days off. Remember that these flights are crossing the world's second largest country. Still there is a chronic shortage of workers.
Probably the guy who fixed the scraper quit a couple of years ago and hasn't been replaced yet.
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter