Framework with tool-free changeover mountings for idlers

A framework assembly for supporting a central idler and outer idlers in a trough arrangement comprising:

• a base and outer uprights adjacent to each of opposing ends of the base;
• central uprights remote from the opposite ends;
• inner axle mounts on the central uprights that each receive a respective axle end of the central idler;
• outer axle mounts on the central upright that each receive an inboard axle end of each of the outer idlers, respectively;
• and
• a hinged axle mount on each of the outer uprights that rotate into and out of engagement with an outboard axle end of each of the outer idlers, respectively,
• wherein the inner axle mounts define slots arranged to allow the respective axle ends of the central idler to pass approximately vertically into and out of the slots.

A method for replacing the outer idlers in a framework assembly that supports a central idler and outer idlers in a trough arrangement having,

• a base and outer uprights adjacent to each of opposing ends of the base,
• central uprights remote from the opposite ends,
• inner axle mounts on the central uprights that each receive a respective axle end of the central idler,
• outer axle mounts on the central upright that each receive an inboard axle end of each of the outer idlers, respectively, and
• a hinged axle mount on each of the outer uprights that rotate into and out of engagement with an outboard axle end of each of the outer idlers, respectively, the method comprising the steps of:
• rotating the hinged axle mount to disengage from the outboard axle end of at least one of the outer axle mount, respectively;
• withdrawing the at least one of the outer idlers from the one of the outer axle mounts, respectively;
• placing a new replacement outer idler into the one of the outer axle mounts, respectively;
• and
• rotating the hinged axle mount into an inboard axle end of the replacement outer idler.