Gravity Conveyors in Houston, TX — Skatewheel & Roller Systems Built to Move Product for Less
The simplest, most economical way to move cartons, totes, and packages through your facility. Lone Star Automated Systems designs, supplies, and installs gravity conveyor lines for warehouses, packaging plants, and distribution centers across Texas.
Move Product Without Motors, Drives, or Electricity
A gravity conveyor — also called a non-powered conveyor — moves product using a slight downward pitch or a simple manual push instead of motors. Loads ride on free-spinning skatewheels or steel rollers, which makes gravity conveyor the most basic, most reliable, and lowest-cost conveyor type available.
Applications range from a single portable section at a shipping dock to a complete system of many interconnected units feeding assembly, sorting, and staging operations. Because there are no motors or controls, installation is straightforward — many stock configurations can be set up without experienced conveyor installers.
Gravity wheel and roller conveyors are ideal for unit loads with a firm, flat bottom surface, such as corrugated cartons, totes, trays, and cases.
Skatewheel vs. Roller: Two Ways to Ride on Gravity
Every gravity conveyor is built around one of two rolling surfaces. Choosing correctly comes down to what you're moving — and Lone Star can spec it for you.
Gravity Skatewheel Conveyor
A series of skatewheels mounted on common axles in a channel frame. Skatewheel conveyor is lighter, less expensive than roller, and tracks cartons straighter through curves — the go-to choice for light, firm-bottomed loads in shipping, packaging, and assembly.
Gravity Roller Conveyor
Metal tube rollers with pressed-in bearings, mounted on hex axles in a channel or angle frame. Roller conveyor handles heavier loads and products that skatewheels can't — bags, padded mailers, and low-grade corrugated cartons with soft or uneven bottoms.
Flexible Gravity Skatewheel Conveyor
Expands, contracts, and curves to fit the job, then nests for storage. A proven performer for trailer loading and unloading, and ideally suited to packaging, shipping, flexible assembly lines, work-in-process, value-added operations, and temporary lines.
Flexible Gravity Roller Conveyor
All the mobility of flexible skatewheel with the load-handling range of rollers — excellent for boxes, bags, and low-grade corrugated cartons that aren't conducive to skatewheel handling.
| Selection Factor | Skatewheel Conveyor | Roller Conveyor |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Light cartons, totes, and trays with firm, flat bottoms | Heavier loads, bags, and soft-bottomed or low-grade corrugated cartons |
| Relative cost | Lower — normally the least expensive conveyor available | Moderate — still far less than powered conveyor |
| Tracking on curves | Excellent — wheels differentiate naturally | Good — tapered rollers recommended on curves |
| Typical uses | Shipping lines, truck loading, assembly, staging | Accumulation, receiving, mixed-product handling |
Where Gravity Conveyors Earn Their Keep
Gravity lines run two ways: as a level push line, where operators move product by hand through assembly, staging, and sorting operations — or as a gravity pitched line, where the conveyor's downward pitch moves product with no manual assistance at all. The pitched line is the most common non-powered application.
Flexible skatewheel lines extend straight into the trailer, then nest away when the dock is clear.
Move cartons from pack stations to dock doors without a single motor or control panel.
Level push lines keep product at operator height and moving station to station.
Buffer picked orders on economical gravity sections ahead of packing or palletizing.
Pitched lines let cartons index forward automatically as downstream product is removed.
Portable, stock-model sections deploy fast for peak season — no installation crew required.
Houston's Material Handling Partner — From a Single Section to a Full System
The simplicity and cost advantages of non-powered conveyor should be considered for every floor conveyor application. We'll tell you honestly when gravity is the right answer — and engineer the powered solution when it isn't.
Gravity Conveyor FAQs
What is a gravity conveyor?
A gravity conveyor is a non-powered conveyor that moves product using a slight downward pitch or a manual push instead of motors. Loads travel on free-spinning skatewheels or rollers, making it the simplest and most economical way to move cartons, totes, and packages through a facility.
Should I choose skatewheel or roller gravity conveyor?
Choose skatewheel for light, firm-bottomed cartons — it costs less and tracks straighter on curves. Choose roller for heavier loads, bags, and low-grade corrugated cartons with soft or uneven bottoms that would sag between wheels. We can evaluate your product mix and recommend the right fit.
How much pitch does a gravity conveyor need?
Most gravity lines are pitched roughly 4–8 inches of drop per 10 feet of conveyor, depending on load weight, bottom surface, and wheel or roller spacing. Heavier loads need less pitch; lighter loads need more. Our engineers set the pitch during design so product flows reliably without manual assistance or uncontrolled speed.
What are gravity conveyors used for?
Truck and trailer loading and unloading, shipping and receiving, assembly and work-in-process stations, order staging, sorting operations, and storage accumulation. Flexible gravity conveyors are also popular for temporary and seasonal lines.
Does Lone Star Automated Systems install gravity conveyors in Houston?
Yes. We're headquartered in Houston, TX and provide design, supply, and installation of gravity conveyor systems throughout Houston, the Gulf Coast, and all of Texas. Stock models ship quickly, and simple installations can often be completed without specialized rigging crews. Call 713-532-4444 for a quote.
Gravity Conveyor Design & Installation Across Texas
Lone Star Automated Systems is headquartered at 2500 Citywest Blvd., STE 150, Houston, TX 77042 and serves manufacturers, distributors, e-commerce fulfillment operations, and warehouses throughout the Gulf Coast and statewide.
Ready to Spec Your Gravity Conveyor Line?
Tell us what you're moving and where it needs to go. We'll recommend the right wheel or roller configuration, calculate the pitch, and quote stock or custom sections.
713-532-4444