Cheap systems quickly lose appeal when costs for additional components, increased maintenance and expensive tank modifications are involved. Most Abanaki skimmers can be installed without tank alterations, can lift skimmed material without a pump, and provide maintenance-saving features. Belt-type skimmers, such as those made by Abanaki, use an endless belt of stainless steel, elastomer or poly medium, which is lowered into the tank or vessel to be skimmed. The belt passes though resilient wiper blades where the oil is removed from both sides of the medium. These skimmers use a very small motor to rotate a disk shaped medium through the liquid.
Oil is removed and discharged into a collection container in a manner similar to belt skimmers.
Removal capacity is relatively low. Compared to disk types, they are usually more rugged and have higher removal capacity. These skimmers use an endless medium shaped like a rope and having mop-like tendrils that pick up the oil. As the medium leaves the liquid and enters the drive unit, it is pressed and wrung out with pinch rollers. For higher viscosity oils, the medium tends to mat down and lose effectiveness.