In belt conveying systems, bulk solid material immediately prior to discharge moves from a troughed profile on the last idler set to a flat profile at the head pulley. How the bulk solid material behaves in this zone is a function of the material properties of the bulk solid and the transition time, which in turn depends on the transition length and belt speed. The accurate determination of the discharge profile is essential for effective transfer chute design. This paper describes an experimental test rig which aims to simulate the motion of the bulk solid material on the conveyor belt during transportation and throughout the transition zone. Results are presented and compared to existing theoretical approximations.