We recently milled a run of Jatoba cleats for a customer's conveyor system: unfinished 2" x 3-1/4" slats in 37" and 25" lengths. It was a repeat customer who hadn't ordered from us in many years. When their slats finally needed replacing, they came back to us.
It's a good example of a quieter side of our business, and one we'd like to do more of. If you build, maintain or rebuild slat or apron conveyors, this post covers why dense Brazilian hardwoods work well for slats and cleats, which species to consider, and what we need from you to quote a custom run.
Steel, plastic and rubber belts all have their jobs. Hardwood slats stay in use on lines that move heavy, sharp-edged or finished parts, because wood handles that work in a way the others don't.
| Hardwood Slats | Steel Slats | UHMW / Plastic | Rubber Belt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protects finished surfaces | Yes | Can scratch or mar | Yes | Yes |
| Grip on the load | Natural friction | Low | Low | High |
| Absorbs impact | Yes | Rigid, transmits shock | Some | Some |
| Handles sharp edges and heavy weight | Yes | Yes | Can gouge | Can cut |
| Noise | Quiet | Loud | Quiet | Quiet |
| Repair | Replace one slat | Replace one slat | Replace one slat | Replace a belt section |
The repair point matters most in practice. When a hardwood slat wears or splits, you unbolt it and bolt in a new one. It also makes hardwood a practical choice for replacement runs on conveyors that have been in service for years.
For slats and cleats you want hardness for wear, density for impact, and reasonable stability so the slats stay true between the chains. These four Brazilian species cover most conveyor work.
| Species | Janka Hardness (lbf) | Weight (lb/ft³) | Machining | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumaru | 3,330 | 68 | Hard on tooling | Abrasive loads, maximum wear life |
| Massaranduba | 3,190 | 67 | Hard on tooling | Heavy loads, impact |
| Jatoba | 2,690 | 57 | Machines cleanly | All-around slats and cleats |
| Garapa | 1,650 | 52 | Easiest to work | Lighter loads, lighter-weight slats |
Jatoba is about twice as hard as white oak
Janka hardness in pounds-force (lbf). Higher means more resistant to wear and denting.
Source: The Wood Database and Hardwood Floors Magazine, approximate average values.
Jatoba is often the sweet spot: about twice as hard as white oak, still clean to drill and machine, and stable enough for long slats. It's what our recent customer ordered. Cumaru and Massaranduba are the step up when wear is the main problem. For how these species compare outdoors, see black locust vs. Ipe and other Brazilian hardwoods.
We cut slats and cleats to your print, in the quantities you need, from single replacement runs to full conveyor sets.
Our recent order is a typical example:
| Part | Species | Size | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conveyor cleat | Jatoba | 2" x 3-1/4" x 37" | Unfinished |
| Conveyor cleat | Jatoba | 2" x 3-1/4" x 25" | Unfinished |
Slats are one of many custom-milled Brazilian hardwood products we offer.
The more of this you can share, the faster and more accurate the quote.
Hardwood protects finished parts from scratching, grips the load, absorbs impact and runs quieter. Damaged slats can be replaced one at a time.
Jatoba is a strong all-around choice. Cumaru and Massaranduba are harder and suit abrasive or heavy loads. Garapa is lighter and easier to machine for lighter duty.
Yes. Send a drawing or a sample slat and we'll mill to match.
Not always. Many conveyor slats run unfinished. A sealer can help in wet or oily environments.
Yes. We quote replacement runs as well as full conveyor sets.
Whether you're rebuilding one conveyor or supplying a production line, send us your drawing or a sample slat. We'll recommend a species and quote it.
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We’re particularly interested in your wholesale or commercial quantity inquiries.