Spare Part

Impact Beds

Impact bars and impact cradles for protecting conveyor belts at transfer points.

Overview

About this part

Impact beds (also called impact cradles) replace conventional impact rollers at heavy-impact transfer points. The bed consists of parallel UHMWPE-faced impact bars supported on a rubber subframe, providing a solid support surface for the belt while absorbing impact energy. Impact beds eliminate the belt-sag-between-rollers gap where material can leak past skirting and reduce belt damage from falling lumps.

Compatibility

Compatible Equipment

Materials

Material Options

UHMWPE wear face
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear surface. Standard for coal duty.
Steel-cored impact bar
Steel bar with UHMWPE top face, used where impact loads exceed all-polymer capacity.
Rubber subframe
Rubber base providing impact absorption.
Specifications

Technical Specifications

Impact Beds
Specification Value Unit
Bed Length 600–3,000 mm
Bed Width Match belt width (typically 800–2,200 mm)
Bar Material UHMWPE, optionally steel-cored
Trough Angle 20°, 35°, 45°
Wear behavior

Wear Factors

  • Lump size and drop height
  • Belt speed under impact
  • Material abrasiveness
  • Belt cover hardness (softer covers wear the bars more)
Replacement

Replacement Notes

Wear face replacement is the dominant maintenance activity; individual bars can be slid out and replaced without dismantling the entire bed. Inspection intervals match the conveyor belt inspection cycle.

Frequently Asked

FAQ

When should impact rollers be replaced with impact beds?

Replace impact rollers with impact beds where drop heights and lump sizes cause persistent belt damage, where transfer point sealing is poor due to belt sag between rollers, or where spillage at transfer points is a chronic housekeeping issue. Impact beds are also preferred at long-duration transfer points where roller replacement frequency is unacceptable.

Do impact beds increase belt drive power?

Slightly, yes. UHMWPE-on-belt friction is higher than the rolling friction of impact rollers, so impact beds add to drive power. The increase is usually less than 1–2% of total conveyor power and is acceptable in exchange for the reduction in belt damage and spillage.

How long do impact bed wear bars last?

UHMWPE wear bar life depends on belt speed, lump size, and material abrasiveness. On typical coal handling duty, bars commonly last 12–36 months before requiring replacement. Conditions with sharp rock contamination or higher belt speeds shorten this.

Can impact beds be retrofitted to existing conveyors?

Yes. Impact beds are designed for retrofit: existing impact rollers are removed, the bed is bolted to the conveyor stringers in the same envelope, and the belt runs over the bed without modification. Trough angle should match the existing carrying idler trough angle.

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