Idlers are an important component in any conveyor system as they are used to support the conveyor belt and the load carried on the belt.

There are a significant number of idlers on a conveyor and if the incorrect idlers are selected, the subsequent problem manifests itself along the entire conveyor length !

Idlers are the 'low friction sliding surface' over which an endless conveyor belt is 'dragged' by the drive pulley(s), enabling a conveyor to operate for many thousands of hours without wearing out the belting.

The selection of the correct type of idlers is very important with respect to the optimum load-carrying capacity of a conveyor and the environment in which the conveyor is to operate. Similarly, understanding the design of idlers, their limitations and the factors which affect their performance, is important in ensuring that the conveyor operates reliably and cost-effectively.

Idler spacing will depend on a number of factors, i.e. layout, loads, rates of feed, belt tension. etc. Average troughing idler spacing for run of mine ore is in the vicinity of 1,2 meter. Return idler spacing is two to three times the troughing spacing.