A conveyor system having a protected belt driving element on which are mounted a plurality of load bearing elements which compliment one another to provide a protective surface shielding the driving element from conveyed material. The load bearing elements are mounted on the driving element in a spaced manner to essentially insulate the driving element from physical and thermal contact with the conveyed material. Hot loose materials and abrasives may advantageously be transported on this conveyor system which is readily adaptable to existing conveyors.