18 Common Types of Belt Conveyor Idlers

In industrial applications, conveyor idler type is critical to the efficient operation of the belt conveyor. This article will introduce you to 18 common conveyor idler types, each of which plays a vital role in supporting and guiding the conveyor belt. These idlers play a key role in various sectors such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and packaging, ensuring smooth transportation of goods. MNSTACKER supplies conveyor idlers and conveyor rollers specifically for stacking conveyors and mobile ship loaders in the bulk material handling industry.

Carrying Idlers

Carrier idler, also called carrying idler, play a role in supporting the conveyor belt and the transported materials in the mobile conveyor system. Carrying idlers are located on the upper side of the conveyor system and are usually placed in the form of roller sets arranged in a trough to support the conveyor belt and its load. Made of durable materials such as steel or impact-resistant plastic, idler rollers are engineered to withstand heavy loads and frequent use, making them a critical component in ensuring the operational efficiency and longevity of conveyor belts in industries ranging from mining to bulk materials handling.

carrying idlers

Carrying Idler Type	Description
Troughed Idler	Designed to support the carrying side of the belt, forming a trough for material.
Impact Idler	The impact idler is placed at loading points to absorb the shock and protect the belt from damage due to material impact.
Garland Idler	The garland idler consists of a series or chain of rollers linked together, used to ensure flexibility and adjust to belt's movements.
Energy Saving Idlers	Designed to reduce energy consumption by minimizing friction and resistance on the belt.
Picking Table Idlers	Feature a flat or slightly inclined surface that allows for manual sorting of materials.
Flat Belt Idlers	Support and guide the belt in a flat manner, used on sections where material doesn’t need containment.
Live Shaft Idlers	Feature a shaft that runs through all rollers, providing added stability and load distribution.
Self-Aligning Idler	Positioned on the carrying side to automatically correct any misalignment of the conveyor belt.

Return Idlers

In a conveyor system, return idlers act as support pillars for the conveyor belt's return path. Return idlers are located on the underside of the conveyor system and play a key role in supporting the conveyor belt during the return stroke after unloading material. Unlike the load side, a return idler usually consists of a series of flat or slightly grooved rollers that guide and maintain the tension and alignment of the conveyor belt, ensuring it runs smoothly.

Return Idler Type	Description
Flat Return Idler	The flat return idler supports the return side of the belt in a flat orientation, ensuring stability and alignment.
V Return Idler	Designed with a V-shaped configuration to better support and guide the return side of the belt.
Rubber Disc Return Idlers	The rubber disc return roller features rubber discs to enhance grip and clean the return side of the belt from sticky materials.
Self-training Return Idlers	Automatically align the return side of the belt, similar to self-training idlers, but for the return path.

Special Idlers

Specialty conveyor idlers are engineered to meet specific operating needs, ensuring smooth, efficient operation of conveyor systems with minimal maintenance requirements. Choosing the correct type of special idlers is critical to the longevity and effectiveness of your conveyor system.

Special Idlers	Description
Transition Idlers	Used at the head and tail of the conveyor to transition the belt from flat to troughed (or vice versa).
Suspended Idlers	The garland idler is hung from the conveyor frame, can be used for both carrying and return sides where additional support is needed.
Guide Idlers	Fixed or adjustable, guide idlers steer the belt back to the center, preventing drift.
Front-Tilt Idlers	Designed with a tilting mechanism towards the front for specific alignment corrections.
Heavy Duty Conveyor Idlers	Built to withstand very heavy loads or harsh conditions, ensuring durability and longevity.
Cleaning Idler	Equipped with scrapers or brushes to clean the belt and prevent material build-up.

These conveyor idlers are widely used in stacker conveyors and mobile ship loaders of bulk materials handling industries.

conveyor idler roller

Idler Rollers Materials

Type	Material	Key Benefits	Applications
Rubber Coated Idlers	Steel Roll Shell Covered in Rubber	Noise reduction, Impact and wear resistance	Mining and Aggregate Industries
Ceramic Idlers	Steel with Ceramic tiles or fully Ceramic	High wear resistance, Low maintenance, Corrosion resistance	Industries dealing with high abrasion, like mining
Nylon Idlers	Nylon	Lightweight, Corrosion resistance, Non-conductive	Food processing, Chemical plants, or Corrosive environments
Insulated Idlers	Various insulating materials	Prevention of electrostatic build-up, Enhances safety	Industries where static electricity could pose risks, such as Grain handling or Chemical Industries
HDPE Idler	HDPE	The HDPE roller features durability, toughness, and resistance to chemicals, corrosion, and abrasion.	mining, aggregate processing, etc.
UHMWPE Idler	UHMWPE	The UHMWPE roller features durability, toughness, and resistance to chemicals, corrosion, and abrasion.	mining, aggregate processing, etc.