Conveyor Chains

Conveyor chains consist of rollers contained parallel to one another by constraining link plates. Each roller has a pin and bush on which the roller revolves on. Roller pins and bushes are hardened to allow movement under high pressure, and to ensure the chain will not buckle or break with load carrying pressure.

Conveyor chain has a range of pitches for different strength options, the minimum pitch is based on the wheel tooth strength; maximum pitch is dictated by plate and the chain’s rigidity.

Our conveyor chain is manufactured to the ISO standard, this standard is widely accepted throughout Europe, and this standard has increased in popularity in recent years.

Standard Attachments

Attachments are unique parts fitted to the base chain to adapt it to other purposes; attachments can be added as a replacement of a normal link or as a specialised part of the link plate. Other options have the attachment fixed to the chain plates by projection or fillet welding.

F Attachments

F Attachments give a level surface at right angles to the chain plate. These Attachments are utilized for securing pushers, scraper bars, etc. to the chain.

K Attachments

K Attachments are a platform welded parallel to the chain line and roller pin axis. These attachments are used for securing scrapers, buckets, etc. to the conveyor chain.

L Attachments

L Attachments are necessary with the chain outer plates. Typically they have one or two holes, however for use on scrubber applications they can be manufactured without holes and with various box widths.

Lubrication of Conveyor Chains

Chains require regular lubrication between the roller pin and the bush, as well the bush and the roller. Lubricant should be applied after the conveyor drive wheel, where the tension is lowest while the chain is running.

In normal operating conditions, use a good quality mineral oil with medium viscosity.

Industry

Various industries have specific needs for lubrication, these needs are determined by the demands of the products being handled, as well as how risk of contamination of the product by direct or indirect contact with the lubrication.

Temperature Considerations

Low temperature conditions: For operating temperatures from -60°C to 0°C.
A low temperature, water repellent grease is needed for lubrication, to prevent frozen condensation and the chain from locking.

High temperature conditions: For operating temperatures from 100°C to 450°C.
Up to 160°C – Wet film lubricants must be used.
Above 160°C – A dry film, non-carbonising lubricant must be used.

Dusty Conditions

Your conveyor chain should be lubricated before operation with a dry film lubricant; this prevents dust from sticking to the lubricant. Periodic cleaning is required, after which the same lubricant must be reapplied.

For operation environments above 160°C, grease gun lubricant is recommended.

Water Environments – Clean

Conveyor chains in water plants typically operate above the water level. Lubricants used must be sufficiently adhesive to not contaminate the water. Heavy grease is used; it is most effective when applied to components during assembly of the chain. This heavy grease is specialised to the water industry and is made from a blend of mineral oil, graphite, hydrophobic and anti-corrosion elements, it does not dilute in water and it repels water.

Water Environments – Dirty

Conveyor chains in sewage treatments are typically completely submerged completely, aside from pre-lubrication. These are impossible to lubricate regularly. These chains are usually made to be replaced frequently or made from special materials to operate in such environments. If these chains are accessible for lubrications, water repellent grease should be used to flush out old grease and contaminants.

Solvent Environments

Lubricants used for chains in solvent environments must be chose with extreme care. Lubricant must not be dissolvable by the solvent, as re-lubrication is not always possible.

Toxic or Corrosive Environments

Lubricants must be carefully considered in these environments, consult a lubricant expert before choosing a lubricant.

Application Methods for Lubricants

Manual: Lubricant is applied with an oil can, a brush or with an aerosol can, directly on the chain.
Automatic: An automatic drip feed, a one shot lubrication that deposits the correct amount of lubricant to all areas is preferred, too much or too little lubricant is harmful to the chain, incorrect application will result in irregular motion, and cause a “stick slip.”

Pre-Treatment for Conveyor Chains

Conveyor chains have three pre-treatment options that can be applied during the manufacturing of components.

Granodising: Application of a Manganese Phosphate coating to pins and rollers. This provides surfaces a small degree of pre-lubrication; its advantage is providing a key for future lubrication, making it far more effective and resilient.

Molybdenum Disulphide: This coating is applied to pins and bushes during the manufacturing process; these components are dipped and then cured in an oven. It lowers friction between the components. This coating is only a few microns thick, and will be eroded in abrasive conditions.

PTFE: This coating is similar to the above.

Unlubricated Conveyor Chains

Some environments cannot have any type of lubrication or pre-coating applied due to possible contamination or the possibility of creating dangerous compounds or grinding pastes, for these cases, regular cleaning or washing is to remove materials that have built up on the chain, and to preserve the life of your chain.
Conveyor Chain Adjustment

For optimal performance of your chain, chain systems should be adjusted to compensate for the elongation that occurs over time from wear. Conveyor chain must not be pre-tensioned, as it causes increased pressure on the pin and roller, in turn causing further wear on the chain.

Tension must be adjusted to remove slack in the chain and take up the pin/bush clearances. Tension adjusters must be located at the first convenient points, preferably on a 180° bend, if not available, it should be located on a 90° bend. Care must be exercised with the chain guide, to avoid chain alignment issues. If multiple drives are on a single conveyor system, tension devices must be added after each drive.

Adjustments for Conveyor Chains

For optimal performance of your chain, chain systems should be adjusted to compensate for the elongation that occurs over time from wear. Conveyor chain must not be pre-tensioned, as it causes increased pressure on the pin and roller, in turn causing further wear on the chain.

Tension must be adjusted to remove slack in the chain and take up the pin/bush clearances. Tension adjusters must be located at the first convenient points, preferably on a 180° bend, if not available, it should be located on a 90° bend. Care must be exercised with the chain guide, to avoid chain alignment issues. If multiple drives are on a single conveyor system, tension devices must be added after each drive.

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