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.


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.

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




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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