(f) Loading and unloading devices: Free flowing material may be directly delivered from a hopper, bin or storage pile through a chute, the delivery rate being controlled by a regulating gate at the hopper / bin output. For non free flowing materials a suitable feeder unit with a chute is used for loading the material centrally onto the belt as evenly and gently as possible. Side boards or skirt plates, extending a considerable length (2 to 3 m), is generally attached to the conveyor structure to be placed centrally to the belt, covering 2/3rd to 3/4th width of the belt, and maintaining a small clearance with the moving belt. For unloading of materials at the end of the head pulley, no device is required excepting proper chutes to guide the discharged materials. For discharging at any point along the length of the conveyor, a plough or a belt tripper is used. A plough consists of a rubber tipped blade extending across the belt width at an angle of 60°. The plough may be one side discharge or a V-shaped blade for two-side discharge. The belt carrying material must be made flat passing over a slider plate at the plough to allow close contact between the belt and rubber tipped blade. Plough is pivoted so that its position can be adjusted above the belt to allow control of material being discharged.