what is a Chain Conveyor？

what is a Chain Conveyor？

Chain Conveyor Core Components

1. Chain: The key driving and carrying part (e.g., roller chain, leaf chain, engineering plastic chain). It may have attachments (e.g., flights, buckets, or plates) to hold or push materials.
2. Drive Unit: Includes a motor, reducer, sprocket, and coupling—provides power to drive the chain’s movement.
3. Idler/Tension Unit: A sprocket or tensioner at the tail end to maintain proper chain tension (prevents slack or derailment).
4. Frame: Supports the chain, drive unit, idlers, and materials (typically made of steel for durability).
5. Guards/Casings: Optional safety covers to protect operators and prevent material spillage.
6. Carrying Surface: Some designs use slats, pans, or buckets attached to the chain to carry bulk materials (e.g., grain, coal) or unit loads (e.g., boxes, components).

Chain Conveyor Working Principle

1. The motor drives the reducer, which rotates the drive sprocket.
2. The drive sprocket engages with the chain, pulling the chain (and its attachments) along the frame.
3. Materials are placed on the chain’s carrying surface (or pushed by chain attachments) and move with the chain to the target location.
4. The idler/tension unit maintains chain tightness, ensuring smooth operation without slipping.

Chain Conveyor Key Characteristics & Advantages

• High Load Capacity: Ideal for heavy, bulky, or abrasive materials (e.g., coal, ore, concrete blocks) that might damage belt conveyors.
• Versatile Conveying Paths: Can transport materials horizontally, vertically (vertical chain conveyors), or at steep inclines (up to 90° for vertical models).
• Durability: Chains are resistant to wear, high temperatures, and harsh environments (e.g., factories with dust, moisture, or chemicals).
• Precise Control: Offers stable speed and positioning, suitable for automated production lines.
• Low Maintenance: Simple structure with fewer vulnerable parts (compared to belt conveyors, which require frequent belt replacement).

Chain Conveyor Common Types

1. Apron Chain Conveyor (Slat Conveyor): Uses flat steel slats attached to chains—for heavy, sharp, or hot materials (e.g., foundry parts, 矿石).
2. Bucket Chain Conveyor: Equipped with buckets to lift and transport bulk materials vertically (e.g., grain, fertilizer, cement).
3. Drag Chain Conveyor: Chains with scrapers or flights drag materials along a trough—for powdery, granular, or viscous bulk goods (e.g., coal, ash, sludge).
4. Roller Chain Conveyor: Uses standard roller chains with or without attachments—for unit loads (e.g., pallets, boxes) in logistics or assembly lines.

Chain Conveyor Typical Applications

• Agriculture: Transporting grain, fertilizer (e.g., matching your earlier question about organic fertilizer production lines), or feed.
• Mining/Construction: Moving ore, coal, gravel, or concrete components.
• Manufacturing: Conveying raw materials, workpieces, or finished products (e.g., automotive parts, packaging lines).
• Waste Management: Handling garbage, recyclables, or sludge.
• Food Processing: Transporting bulk food (e.g., grains, fruits) or processed items (with food-grade chains).

Suppliers of Chain Conveyor：
Jinhua Machinery Provides High Quality And Effective Fertilizer Manufacturing Equipment, Straw Processing Equipment, Waste Processing Equipment, And Mining Equipment.If you are looking for fertilizer-making machines and production lines, feel free to contact us.Tel：0811-8185429 011-820-8086 E-mail：jinhuaindonesia@gmail.com