Head Pulley The driving pulley is the main component that transmits traction to the conveyor belt. The surface of the pulley is often coated with rubber and diamond shaped grooves are made. Only enough friction between belt and pulley can drive the belt conveyor. A drive pulley is always single-sided or double-sided, meaning it has one or two drives. Depending on the size of the conveyor system, one or more drive pulleys are used at different positions in the system