To provide a friction drive type workpiece conveying system capable of assuring a propulsive force adequate for travelling of a carrier when the workpiece is hung down and conveyed by the carrier, and performing ascending inclination conveyance.

In this friction drive type workpiece conveying system, the workpiece is hung down and conveyed by the travelling of the multiple joint type carrier 4 in a conveyance rail 3 by a plurality of friction drive means 12. The multiple joint type carrier 4 is formed by connecting a number of carrier bars 5 with a friction plate 6 on the surface side by universal joints 9. The friction drive means 12 consists of an endless friction belt 15 circulating and travelling by being wound onto a driving side roller 13 and a driven side roller 14, and a pressing means 16 made of an airbag 17 pressing and bringing the lower side travelling belt 15a of the endless friction belt into face-contact with the friction plate 6.