Leaf Chain

Leaf chains are a rollerless chain commonly used on fork lift trucks and other material handling applications. Leaf chain is constructed of steel link plates mounted side-by-side on pins. The contour of the link is the same figure eight shape found on standard roller chain. The chain can flex at each pin. Leaf chain is used in tension linkage applications, where the chain is kept in tension and can be moved in either direction. Leaf chain is commonly used on forklift trucks, and in other material handling applications. Leaf chain is also referred to as cable chain and balance chain.

There are different classes and applications for leaf chain including agricultural chain, conveyor chain, engineering steel chain, lift or hoist chain, oil field chain, and power transmission chain. Agricultural leaf chain is uses for agricultural applications. Conveyor leaf chains are specially designed for used in conveyor applications and include roller chains with special attachments, flat-top leaf chains, and silent chain. Engineering steel leaf chains are manufactured from machined and fabricated steel. This type of chain can be used for a variety of industrial applications.

Life or hoist leaf chains are also available. Lift or hoist chains are specially designed in tension lifting or load applications, such as hoists. Roller load chains have the same dimensions as standard roller leaf chains, but are made specifically to be used as load chain in overhead hoists.  Rollerless life chain is essentially the same as single-or-double pitch power transmission chain without the rollers. Rollers are not used because the chain is intended to be used with sheaves instead of sprockets. They are used in the same applications as leaf chain, where it is favorable to have a hardened bushing to reduce wear.

Other types of leaf chain include oil field chains and power transmission chains. Oil field leaf chains are heavy-duty chains that are tested according to API guidelines. Power transmission leaf chains are used in power transmission drive applications. Other types of leaf chain may also be available.

Specifications for leaf chain include series type. There are three main types of leaf chain series: AL series, BL series, and LL series. AL series leaf chains have link plate that are the same contour and thickness as the ANSI roller chain pin links of the same pitch. BL series leaf chains link plates are thicker and have a larger contour than the AL series link plates of the same pitch. The BL series link plates and pins are the same as those of the ANSI roller chain of the next larger pitch. LL series leaf chain is based on British Standard chain dimensions. LL series leaf chain conforms to the ISO 606 international standard.

• Development of the Modern Day Chain
  The concept of chain has been with us for many years. Early chains discovered in c. 2500 BC were for decorative purposes rather than for power transmission. These chains were used to draw a bucket of...
  (read more)
• Mechanical Design Handbook 2nd Edition
  This Second Edition of the Mechanical Design Handbook has been completely reorganized from its previous edition and includes seven chapters from the Mechanical Design and Systems Handbook, the...
  (read more)
• Weather forecast for Europe: Hazy but green
  Electronic-equipment designers face an ill-defined future when the European Union goes "green" this summer. The Project Management Office and Environmental Team for the Stryker Family of...
  (read more)

Pages: 1 - 3 of 458

Part Numbers for Leaf Chain