leaf chain-1

Leaf Chains

Category:

Description

A leaf chain is a rollerless chain commonly used on forklift trucks and in other material handling applications. Leaf chain is constructed of steel link plates mounted side-by-side on pins. The link contour is the same figure-eight shape found on standard roller chains. The chain can flex at each pin. A 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 other material handling applications. The leaf chain is also referred to as the cable chain and balance chain.

Applications

There are different classes and applications for leaf chains. These include agricultural chain, conveyor chain, engineering steel chain, oil field chain, and power transmission chain.

  • The agricultural leaf chain is used for agricultural applications.
  • The conveyor leaf chain is specially designed for use in conveyor applications. This category includes roller chains with special attachments, flat-top leaf chains, and silent chains.
  • Engineering steel leaf chains are manufactured from machined and fabricated steel. This type of leaf chain can be used for various industrial applications.
  • According to American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines, oil field leaf chains are heavy-duty chains that are tested according to American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines.
  • Power transmission leaf chains are used in power transmission drive applications.

Specifications

Specifications for leaf chains include series types. There are three main types of leaf chain series: AL series, BL series, and LL series.

  • AL series leaf chains have link plates with the same contour and thickness as the ANSI roller chain pin links of the same pitch.
  • BL series leaf chains are designed to link thicker plates 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.

(1)About AL Series Leaf Chain

AL series leaf chains only consist of plates and pins from ANSI standard roller chains.

The plates and pin diameter of AL leaf chains are similar to standard roller chains of the same pitch.

For example, AL6 uses plates and pin diameter of the ANSI 60 roller chain.

AL leaf chains are commonly used for load equipment and light lifting applications.

Features

  • Heat treatment for improved hardness and strength
  • Shot peening for improved fatigue strength
  • Pre-stretched to minimize initial stretch
  • Pre-lubricated from the factory
  • Corrosion-resistant coating available

 

Chain No. Lacing Pitch (inch)
 Pitch (mm)
AL422

AL444

AL466

 2×2

4×4

6×6

 1/2″ 12.70
AL522

AL523

AL544

AL566

AL588

 2×2

2×3

4×4

6×6

8×8

 5/8″ 15.875
AL622

AL623

AL644

AL646

AL666

AL688

 2×2

2×3

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 3/4″ 19.05
AL822

AL844

AL866

AL888

 2×2

4×4

6×6

8×8

 1″ 25.40
AL1022

AL1044

AL1066

AL1088

 2×2

4×4

6×6

8×8

 1-1/4″ 31.75
AL1222

AL1244

AL1266

 2×2

4×4

6×6

 1-1/2″ 38.10
AL1444

AL1466

 4×4

6×6

 1-3/4″ 44.45
AL1644

AL1666

AL1688

 4×4

6×6

8×8

 2″ 50.80

(2)About BL Series Leaf Chain

BL (LH) series leaf chains, also referred to as forklift chains, made to ASME and ISO standards are constructed of thicker plates and larger pins than AL series leaf chains of the same pitch. 

The plates and pin diameter have the same sizes as the next larger size in the roller chain.

For example, BL6 (LH12) uses plate thickness and a pin diameter of the ANSI 80 roller chain. 

Having high strength and durability, BL series leaf chains are commonly used for lifting equipment, forklift trucks, container lift trucks, and material handling applications.

Chain No. ISO/DIN Lacing Pitch (inch)
 Pitch (mm)
BL422

BL423

BL434

BL444

BL446

BL466

 LH0822

LH0823

LH0834

LH0844

LH0846

LH0866

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

 1/2″ 12.70
BL522

BL523

BL534

BL544

BL546

BL566

BL588

 LH1022

LH1023

LH1034

LH1044

LH1046

LH1066

LH1088

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 5/8″ 15.875
BL622

BL623

BL634

BL644

BL646

BL666

BL688

 LH1222

LH1223

LH1234

LH1244

LH1246

LH1266

LH1288

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 3/4″ 19.05
BL822

BL823

BL834

BL844

BL846

BL866

BL888

 LH1622

LH1623

LH1634

LH1644

LH1646

LH1666

LH1688

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 1″ 25.40
BL1022

BL1023

BL1034

BL1044

BL1046

BL1066

BL1088

 LH2022

LH2023

LH2034

LH2044

LH2046

LH2066

LH2088

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 1-1/4″ 31.75
BL1222

BL1223

BL1234

BL1244

BL1246

BL1266

BL1288

 LH2422

LH2423

LH2434

LH2444

LH2446

LH2466

LH2488

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 1-1/2″ 38.10
BL1422

BL1423

BL1434

BL1444

BL1446

BL1466

BL1488

 LH2822

LH2823

LH2834

LH2844

LH2846

LH2866

LH2888

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 1-3/4″ 44.45
BL1622

BL1623

BL1634

BL1644

BL1646

BL1666

BL1688

 LH3222

LH3223

LH3234

LH3244

LH3246

LH3266

LH3288

 2×2

2×3

3×4

4×4

4×6

6×6

8×8

 2″

 

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