Calculating L10 Idler Life:

The definition of L10 for belt conveyor idlers: The basic rated life (number of operating hours at
500 RPM) based on a 90 percent statistical model which is expressed as the total number of
revolutions. 90 percent of the bearings in an apparently identical group of bearings subjected to
identical operating conditions will attain or exceed before a defined area of material fatigue -
(flaking, spalling) occurs on one of its rings or rolling elements. The L10 life is also associated
with 90 percent reliability for a single bearing under a certain load.

The tables below show load ratings for series B, C, D, and E idlers. These load ratings are
based on the following:
 Series B load rating based on minimum L,, of 30,000 hours at 500 RPM.
 Series BC (Ball Bearing) load rating based on minimum L,, of 30,000 hours at 500
RPM.
 Series C (Tapered Roller Bearing) load rating based on minimum L,, of 60,000 hours at
500 RPM.
 Series D load rating based on minimum L,, of 60,000 hours at 500 RPM.
 Series E load rating based on minimum L,, of 60,000 hours at 500 RPM.

Belt Width Trough Angle Single Roll Two Roll NOTES FOR TABLE:
Idler Class
(Inches) 20° 35° 45° Return Vee
18 410 410 410 220 1. TROUGHING IDLER LOAD
RATINGS ARE FOR THREE
24 410 410 410 190 EQUAL LENGTH ROLLS.
30 410 410 410 165
CEMA B
36 410 410 396 155 2. LOAD RATINGS ALSO
Idlers
42 390 363 351 140 APPLY FOR IMPACT
ROLLS.
48 380 353 342 125
Ratings Based on Min L10 of 30,000 Hours at 500 RPM
3. TROUGHING IDLER LOAD
18 900 900 900 475 RATINGS ARE BASED ON A
24 900 900 900 325 LOAD DISTRIBUTION OF
30 900 900 900 250 500 70% ON CENTER ROLL AND
15% ON EACH END ROLL
36 900 837 810 200 500 FOR ALL TROUGH ANGLES.
42 850 791 765 150 500
CEMA C
Idlers 48 800 744 720 125 500
54 750 698 675 * 500
60 700 650 630 * 500
66 * 500
Ratings Based on Min L10 of 30,000 Hours at 500 RPM
* Use CEMA “D” Return Idlers
24 1,200 1,200 1,200 600
30 1,200 1,200 1,200 600
36 1,200 1,200 1,200 600 850
42 1,200 1,200 1,200 500 850
CEMA D
48 1,200 1,200 1,200 425 850
Idlers
54 1,200 1,116 1,080 375 850
60 1,150 1,070 1,035 280 850
66 215 850
72 1,050 977 945 155 850
 78 125 850
Ratings Based on Min L10 of 30,000 Hours at 500 RPM
36 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,000 1,300
42 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,000 1,300
48 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,000 1,300
54 1,800 1,800 1,800 925 1,300
60 1,800 1,800 1,800 850 1,300
66 775 1,300
CEMA E
72 1,800 1,800 1,800 700 1,300
Idlers
(see note # 4) 78 625 1,300
84 1,674 1,674 1,650 550 1,300
90 475 1,300
96 1,750 1,628 1,575 400 1,300
102 250 1,300
Ratings Based on Min L10 of 30,000 Hours at 500 RPM
Rigid Frame and Catenary Where Applicable
60 3,000 3,000 1,500 **
72 3,000 3,000 1,200 **
CEMA F 84 3,000 3,000 900 **
Idlers 96 2,800 2,800 600 **
(see note # 4)
Ratings Based on Min L10 of 30,000 Hours at 500 RPM
Rigid Frame and Catenary Where Applicable
** For Vee Returns Consider Using CEMA “E” Series
Picking Idler Load Ratings (Lbs.)
Belt Width CEMA C CEMA D CEMA E
24 475 600
30 475 600
36 325 600 1,260
42 250 600 1,200
48 200 530 1,000
54 150 440 1,000
60 125 400 1,000
72 280 925
84 775
96 625

Live Shaft Idler Load Capacities (Lbs.)

Belt Width CEMA C CEMA D CEMA E
18 1,200
24 1,200 1,400 2,100
30 1,200 1,400 2,100
36 1,200 1,400 2,100
42 1,100 1,400 2,100
48 1,000 1,275 2,100
54 875 1,150 2,100
60 780 1,000 2,100
72 850 2,100
84 1,825
Determine Troughing (Carrying) ldler Load and Spacing:

Calculated ldler Load (lbs) = CIL = [(WB + (WM x KI))x SI] + IML

Where:

 WB = Belt weight (Ibs./ft.) use actual or estimate from Table 8

 WM = Material weight (Ibs./ft.) =I(TPH x 2000) l(60 x FPM)~
 TPH = Quantity of material conveyed (Tons per hour)
 FPM = Design belt speed (Feet per minute)
 SI = Spacing of idlers (ft.) see below and Table 9
 K1 = Lump adjustment factor (see Table 11) Note: Actual weight of lump should
be compared with WM value. In situations, it may be necessary to use actual lump
weight as WM.
 IML = ldler misalignment load (lbs) due to idler height deviation and belt tension =
[(D x T) / (6 x SI)] :

Where: D = Misalignment (inches)

T = Belt tension (Ibs.)
SI = ldler spacing (feet)

When an idler is higher than adjacent idler, a component of belt tension will add
load to that idler. The amount of height deviation can vary with the installation and type
of idler, especially when training idlers are used. CEMA publication on conveyor
installation standarts (Appendix D, Belt Convevors for Bulk Material, fifth edition or
later) list recommendations on structure misalignment).

Determine idler bearing L10 life correction:

L10 (CORRECTED) = L10 (RATING) x K2 x K3A x K3B (IF APPLICABLE)

Where:

 K2 = Effect of Load on Predicted Bearing L10 Life

 K3A = Effect of belt speed on predicted bearing L10 life
 K3B = Effect of roll diameter on predicted bearing L10 life

K2 Factor:

When calculated idler load (CIL) is less than load rating of series idler selected, the
bearing L10 life will increase. Figure 1 shows this relationship for either a tapered roller
bearing or a ball bearing idler design. This chart can be used in conjunction with the type
of service or life expectancy of the conveyor system. If the specified design life of the
conveyor system exceeds the L10 life rating at rated load it may still meet specification
based on percent of rated idler load vs calculated idler load (CIL).
K3A Factor:

Goodman L10 life ratings are based on 500 RPM. Slower speeds increase life and faster
speeds decrease life. Figure 2 shows this relationship.
K3B Factor:

Larger roll diameter will increase idler L10 life, due to lower rpm.

For ASI Job #5648 – Tatum/Liberty Mine, 48” wide belt, 1500 TPH, 700 FPM,
Tcarry=15,420 lb , Treturn = 16,123 lb, 1/8” idler misalignment, Series D idlers, ball
bearings:

Carrying idler load, 4 ft spacing:

CIL = (WB + (WM x KI)) x SI + IML

= (14 lb/ft + 71.4 lb/ft x 1.0) x 4 + 15,420 lb x .125 in /(6x4 ft) = 342 lb + 80 lb = 422 lb

Return idler load, 10 ft spacing:

RIL = 14 lb/ft x 10ft + 16,123 lb x .125 in /(6x10ft) = 140 lb + 33 lb = 173 lb

L10 Load rating for Series D idlers:

Carrying idlers: 48 inch, 35 degree, 3 roll = 1200 lb

Return idlers: 48 inch, single flat roll = 425 lb
 Carrying idler L10 life: L10 (CORRECTED) = L10 (RATING) x K2 x K3A x K3B

Where: L10 (RATING) = 30,000 hours

422 lb/1200 lb = 0.35 ; K2 = (1/0.35)**3 = 23

for 5in dia rolls: 535 rpm vs 500 rpm ; K3A = 0.97

using 5 in dia rolls: K3B = 1.0

L10 (CORRECTED) = L10 (RATING) x K2 x K3A x K3B

= 30,000 hrs x 23 x 0.97 x 1.0 = 1,338,600 hrs

Return idler L10 life: L10 (CORRECTED) = L10 (RATING) x K2 x K3A x K3B

Where: L10 (RATING) = 30,000 hours

173 lb/425 lb = 0.40 ; K2 = (1/0.40)**3 = 14.8

for 5 in dia rolls: 535 rpm vs 500 rpm ; K3A = 0.97

using 5 in dia rolls: K3B = 1.0

L10 (CORRECTED) = L10 (RATING) x K2 x K3A x K3B

= 30,000 hrs x 14.8 x 0.97 x 1.0 = 882,880 hrs