Heavy-Duty Apron Feeders for Mining & Bulk Material Handling

RCR is a trusted supplier in the design and manufacture of heavy-duty Apron Feeders, which are used to transport high volumes of material over short distances in a process plant. RCR Apron Feeders are recognised throughout the mining industry for their robust design and low maintenance requirements. They operate globally, including in Australia, South America, Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

RCR Apron Feeders are designed to handle a diverse range of applications and duties across various commodity sectors, including iron ore, gold ore, copper ore, bauxite, nickel ore, uranium ore, potash, oil sands, quarry materials, coal, spodumene and critical minerals.

RCR offers both custom-designed and a standard range of apron feeders for a diverse range of applications and site requirements, promoting strong collaboration with our clients.

Apron Feeder

What is an Apron Feeder?

An apron feeder is a heavy-duty bulk material handling and conveying device designed to provide a controlled, continuous, and adjustable feed of coarse, fine, abrasive, sticky or high-density materials from hoppers or bins to downstream equipment such as vibrating grizzly screens, crushers, or conveyors.

Apron feeders are chain and sprocket driven with a series of overlapping steel pans mounted on carry rollers. The carrying surface is robust and capable of withstanding high impact loads and abrasion. The drive system is typically designed for high torque, low speed applications with either a gearbox and electric motor or a hydraulic motor directly coupled to the feeder drive shaft.

Apron feeders can be specified with an integrated dribble/spillage conveyor in applications which don’t feature a conveyor beneath or a spillage clean-up system. The dribble/spillage conveyor integrates seamlessly with the apron feeder chassis ensuring the height profile is minimised.

Apron feeders can be supplied as a single fully assembled unit or in modular bolted sections to facilitate ease of installation.

Apron Feeder Specifications

RCR Apron Feeders offer a range of sizes, capabilities, features, drive types, add-ons, and specifications to suit your application and commodity.

  • Large capacities: +10,000 tph.
  • Chain size range: D4 to D11.
  • Robust design: Heavy-duty design including cast manganese steel pans, forged head shaft, forged sprockets, robust carry and return rollers, impact rails, and hydraulically assisted take-up.
  • Handles lump sizes of +1500 mm.
  • Optional integrated Dribble Conveyor for improved spillage control.
  • Optional weightometer.
  • Suitable for primary, secondary and tertiary applications.
  • Choice of hydraulic or electromechanical drive.

Applications

RCR apron feeders are used across a wide range of applications, where material is large, abrasive, or difficult to handle. These demanding duties require a heavy-duty apron feeder, as lighter alternatives cannot withstand the load, impact, or challenging material conditions.

Run-of-Mine (ROM)

  • Receives ore directly under dump hoppers or truck tip points
  • Handles large ore particles with high impact loads
  • Handles large particle size distribution (PSD)
  • Feeds primary crushers at a controlled rate

 

Primary Crushed Ore

  • Receives feed directly under a primary crusher
  • Moves primary crushed rock to secondary crushers or screens
  • Handles large and abrasive lumps

 

Stockpile Reclaim

  • Installed under stockpiles, typically in concrete reclaim chambers
  • Reclaims bulk material and feeds it onto conveyors
  • Provides consistent drawdown
  • Handles large breakout / pullout loads
  • Regulates flow between upstream and downstream processes
  • Smooths out fluctuations

 

Surge Bin Reclaim

  • Installed under a storage / surge bin
  • Reclaims bulk material and feeds it onto conveyors
  • Provides consistent drawdown
  • Handles large breakout / pullout loads
  • Regulates flow between upstream and downstream processes
  • Smooths out fluctuations

Rail Car / Train Unloader

  • Installed under a train unloading hopper
  • Handles high impact loads and high throughput
  • Provides consistent drawdown and regulated discharge

 

Front-End Loader (FEL) Reclaim

  • Receives feed from a Front-End Loader
  • Installed under a short hopper
  • Regulates flow to downstream processes
  • Handles impact loads

 

Dozer Trap Reclaim

  • Installed within a Dozer Trap for reclaiming dozer pushed material
  • Provides consistent drawdown and regulated discharge
  • Elevates material to downstream processes

 

Transfer

  • Transfer of large lump.
  • Typically receives feed from a ROM or Primary Crushed Ore Feeder

Why Choose RCR Mining

RCR has a strongly established track record in designing and manufacturing apron feeders, with decades of experience delivering equipment for some of the most demanding bulk material handling environments. RCR feeders are trusted across a wide range of commodity sectors demonstrating their versatility and proven performance under varying materials, operating conditions, and production demands.

RCR equipment operates across Australia, South America, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, supporting a global base in diverse mining and bulk handling environments.

Delivering on this footprint requires a manufacturer that can provide consistent engineering standards, reliable supply chains, and responsive after-sales support, ensuring the equipment is consistently reliable, wherever the operation.

As part of the NRW Holdings Group, RCR is backed by the scale and long term stability of a leading mining services company, giving clients confidence in dependable delivery, ongoing support, and a partner committed to supporting equipment throughout its entire operating life.

The RCR Team including Elia Khoury

Apron Feeder Parts, Service and Long-Term Support

Following commissioning, support focuses on maintaining performance and minimising downtime for clients through readily available parts, planned servicing, and responsive technical assistance.

RCR provides ongoing support, including inspections, maintenance advice, and parts supply to ensure continued reliability.

The feeder’s robust, low-maintenance design uses durable components and slow speeds to reduce wear, increase service intervals, and make maintenance easier. For operators, this means fewer unplanned shutdowns, lower maintenance effort, and dependable performance over the life of the machine.

Service and support includes:

  • Full product support from RCR operations throughout Australia
  • International support through the RCR supplier network
  • Detailed installation, operations and maintenance manuals
  • Comprehensive genuine parts support
  • Standardised components allow for optimum spares holding and replacement efficiency

 

With equipment operating across Australia, the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa, RCR supports its apron feeders globally, combining local expertise with international reach to deliver responsive service wherever its equipment is installed.

Custom-Engineered Apron Feeders for Your Application

In practice, every RCR apron feeder is engineered in close collaboration with the client’s team to suit the specific application, material characteristics, and site constraints. This involves detailed design reviews, load assessments, and selection of components tailored to their operation.

RCR’s in-house design and manufacturing capability ensures full control over quality, from material selection to fabrication and assembly. For clients, this means clear accountability, consistent build standards, and a single point of contact throughout the process – from concept to delivery, resulting in a more reliable, fit-for-purpose solution.

Close up Apron Feeder

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