Global Industrial
Global Industrial Portable Flexible & Expandable Conveyor, 18" Wide, 3'3" to 12'10", Steel Skate Wheels
Global Industrial Portable Flexible & Expandable Conveyor, 18" Wide, 3'3" to 12'10", Steel Skate Wheels
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Expandable Conveyor Features
Engineered for shipping and receiving operations, loading dock staging, assembly lines, and packaging areas where a permanent fixed conveyor is impractical or unnecessary, the Global Industrial portable expandable conveyor (item 988989) expands from a 3-foot-3-inch collapsed storage position to a 12-foot-10-inch working length in seconds. Seven zinc-plated telescopic legs with 4-inch thermoplastic rubber swivel casters adjust independently between 31-3/4 and 40-1/2 inches, allowing operators to set a gravity slope that moves packages from infeed to outfeed without any motor or power source. Rugged 5/16-inch steel axles carry self-tracking skate wheels with enclosed steel ball bearings across the 18-inch-wide conveying surface.
For facilities that need flexible conveyor capability without a permanent installation, the 988989 bends around a 27-inch inside radius to follow curved paths, and hook couplers are included to connect multiple sections into longer continuous lines. End leg locking brakes hold the conveyor's position once configured. A box stop at the outfeed end prevents packages from overrunning the end of the conveyor during staging operations. Handles packages as small as 7 inches on the expanded setting and supports up to 175 pounds per linear foot across the full length range.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Global Industrial |
| Item # | 988989 |
| Width | 18" |
| Collapsed Length | 3′3" |
| Expanded Length | 12′10" |
| Capacity | 175 lbs per foot |
| Axles | 5/16" steel |
| Skate Wheels | Steel, self-tracking, enclosed steel ball bearings |
| Axle Centers | 1-1/4" compressed / 4" expanded |
| Min Package Size | 7" |
| Legs | 7 zinc-plated telescopic legs with 4" thermoplastic rubber swivel casters |
| Leg Height Range | 31-3/4" to 40-1/2" (independent adjustment) |
| Bend Radius | 27" |
| Brakes | Locking brakes on end legs |
| Included | Box stop + hook couplers for connecting additional conveyor sections |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Applications
To move packages without a powered or fixed conveyor, the 988989 is deployed at loading docks for truck-to-floor transfer, in shipping and receiving departments for sortation staging, at assembly and pack-out lines with changing layouts, in e-commerce fulfillment operations between pick and pack stations, and in retail back-of-house areas. Collapsing to 3'3" for storage means it fits against a wall or in a van between sites.
Expandable Conveyor vs. Fixed Conveyor
| Feature | Global Industrial 988989 | Typical Fixed Conveyor |
|---|---|---|
| Setup / Teardown | Deploys in seconds; collapses to 3′3" for storage | Permanent install — no teardown |
| Length Flexibility | Adjusts from 3′3" to 12′10" | Fixed length only |
| Bend Capability | Bends around 27" radius for curves | Straight only |
| Leg Height | 31-3/4" to 40-1/2" per leg, independent | Fixed or single-height adjustment |
| Portability | 4" swivel casters — rolls to any location | Bolted to floor |
| Hook-Up | Hook couplers connect multiple sections | Custom fab required to extend |
| Pricing | Below retail pricing | Full retail |
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum package size the 988989 conveyor can handle?
The minimum package size for item 988989 is 7 inches, set by the axle center spacing — 1-1/4 inches compressed and 4 inches fully expanded. At 4-inch axle centers, packages smaller than 7 inches risk falling between wheels. For packages 7 inches and larger, self-tracking steel skate wheels with enclosed ball bearings provide smooth flow across the full length range.
How do the seven telescopic legs work and why can they be set independently?
Each of the seven zinc-plated telescopic legs on the 988989 adjusts independently between 31-3/4 and 40-1/2 inches in height, with a 4-inch thermoplastic rubber swivel caster at the base. Independent adjustment serves two purposes: it allows the conveyor to follow uneven floor surfaces without all legs requiring the same height, and — more importantly — it allows operators to set a descending height gradient from infeed to outfeed end, creating the gravity slope that moves packages along the conveyor without powered assistance. Setting the infeed end higher than the outfeed end controls flow speed; a steeper grade moves packages faster.
Can the Global Industrial 988989 expandable conveyor make curved layouts?
Yes. The 988989 bends around a 27-inch inside radius for curved paths around obstacles or through angled doorways. Included hook couplers connect multiple sections so a curved layout continues across segments. End leg locking brakes secure the conveyor in its curved configuration, preventing the flexible structure from straightening under load.
How does this Global Industrial conveyor compare to NestaFlex expandable conveyors?
Both are flexible skate wheel gravity conveyors that expand, bend, and collapse for storage. Item 988989 is the entry-level option at 175 lb/ft, 18-inch width, and 3'3" to 12'10" length range — suited for light-to-medium package flow. NestaFlex 226 and 376 series carry higher capacities in wider formats with longer expanded lengths for high-volume distribution and direct truck-loading where heavier packages and greater reach are needed.
Expandable Conveyor Family
For higher-capacity or longer-reach expandable conveyor applications, NestaFlex® 226 and 376 series conveyors are available at LabSupplies.com. NestaFlex® 226 carries 226 pounds per foot in 24-inch-wide configurations; NestaFlex® 376 handles 376 pounds per foot in widths up to 24 inches and expanded lengths to 23 feet 2 inches — suited for high-volume distribution and direct truck-loading operations where the Global Industrial 988989's 175-lb/ft capacity and 12'10" maximum length are the constraints.
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