A conveyor consisting of a rope with disks or buttons attached at intervals, the upper flight running in a trough. The coal or other material is dropped into the trough, and the conveyor either is actuated by the weight of the coal in the trough when the trough is inclined forming a retarding conveyor, or moves the coal along the trough where the gradient is insufficient or adverse. In the one case a brake is provided; in the other, the sprockets are actuated by a motor.