Impact Saddles & Idlers
Why belts fail at the load zone
Tramp metal, roof bolts and bucket teeth arrive with the material — and on conventional impact idlers, the unsupported gaps between rollers are exactly where they punch through the belt. Bar-type slider beds create pinch points with the same result. Richwood Impact Saddles® close those gaps: continuous, curved support across the entire belt width, with nowhere for impact damage to start.
How Impact Saddles® work
Each saddle combines a heavy-duty frame, permanent rubber shock-absorbing pads that dissipate loading energy, and removable Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene (UHMW) wear segments supporting the full belt width. The high-density segments deflect tramp metal rather than letting it embed, while their low-friction surface lets the belt glide smoothly. The curved trough profile maintains proper belt shape for sealing and material control.
Saddles fit compatibly with any CEMA idler, in any trough angle or profile, and can be spaced to suit the duty — close-coupled as a continuous impact bed under heavy impact, spaced apart in lighter zones. When segments eventually wear, they slide off and replace from one side of the conveyor — the segment is the only wear part.
Three duty-rated series
| Series | Duty rating (CEMA Standard 3575-2000) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Series B | CEMA L rating | Light-duty loading |
| Series R | Exceeds CEMA H rating | Standard mining and quarry duty |
| Magnum Series | Beyond H rating — extreme duty steel frame | Heaviest impact applications |
Richwood evaluates the full parameters of each application — material size, belt width, speed and tonnage — before recommending the saddle rating and spacing. Cushion Arc® and Full Arc idlers complete the load zone with full-radius rolling support.
In service
Aggregate (12" granite, 60" belt, 1,200 TPH): impact idlers were failing bearings and bending frames; after switching to Impact Saddles® and Cushion Arc® idlers, all frames and rollers remained intact past two years in service. Power station (clean coal, 48" belt, 2,000 TPH): proper support and sealing contained material that had been blowing out under pressure — hazard eliminated at eight months and counting.
Why choose Richwood Impact Saddles®
- Continuous full-width support — no gaps, pinch points or idler junctions to rip belts
- UHMW segments deflect tramp metal and give the longest-lasting wear surface
- Directly interchangeable with CEMA idlers — no structural rework
- Segments change out from one side of the belt; the only wear part
- Made in USA by Richwood — since 1976, 100% money-back guarantee
Frequently asked questions
Do Impact Saddles® replace our impact idlers?
They can replace or combine with them — saddles are directly interchangeable with CEMA idlers, and many load zones alternate saddles with Cushion Arc® impact idlers.
What maintenance do they need?
Only segment replacement: slide worn UHMW segments off and insert new ones from the side of the conveyor. Frames and pads are permanent.
How do I know which series we need?
Send us material top size, belt width, belt speed and TPH — Richwood rates every application against CEMA Standard 3575-2000 before recommending Series B, R or Magnum.
Ask us about Impact Saddles® →
Related: Load zone solutions · Belt tracking · EMRI retractable idlers
