Roller Chain Drives

 

Troubleshooting Guide
    CONDITION/SYMPTOM                     POSSIBLE CAUSE                              WHAT TO DO
  Tight Joints
 
  • Dirt or foreign material in chain joints.
    		•  Clean and relubricate chain.
  • Inadequate lubrication.
    		•  Replace chain. Re-establish proper lubrication.
  • Misalignment.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain if needed. Realign sprockets.
  • Internal corrosion or rust.
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate cause of corrosion or protect chain.
  • Overload bends pins or spreads roller. 
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate cause of overload.
     
    Rusted Chain
  • Exposed to moisture.
    		•  Replace chain. Protect from moisture.
  • Water in lubricant.
    		•  Change lubricant. Protect lubrication system from water. 
    Replace chain.
  • Inadequate lubrication.
    		•  Provide or re-establish proper lubrication. Replace chain, if needed.
    Turned Pins
  • Inadequate lubrication.
    		•  Replace chain. Re-establish proper lubrication.
    Enlarged Holes
  • Overload.
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate cause of overload.
    Broken Pins
  • Extreme overload.
    		•  Replace chain. Replace sprockets if indicated. Eliminate cause of overload or redesign drive for larger pitch chain.
    Broken Link Plates
    Missing Parts
  • Missing at assembly.
    		•  Replace chain.
  • Broken and lost.
    		•  Find and correct cause of damage. Replace chain.
      Broken, Cracked or
      Deformed Rollers
     
  • Speed too high.
    		•  Replace chain. Reduce speed.
  • Sprockets too small.
    		•  Replace chain. Use larger sprockets, or possibly redesign drive for smaller pitch chain.
  • Chain riding too high on sprocket teeth.
    		•  Replace chain. Retension chain more often.
     
    Pin Galling
  • Inadequate lubrication.
    		•  Reduce speed or load. Possibly redesign drive for smaller pitch chain. Provide or re-establish proper lubrication.
    Chains Climbs Sprocket Teeth
  • Excess chain slack.
    		•  Retension chain.
  • Excessive chain wear.
    		•  Replace and retension chain.
  • Excessive sprocket wear.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain.
  • Excessive overload.
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate cause or overload.
    Missing or Broken Cotters
  • Cotters installed improperly.
    		•  Install new cotters per manufacturer's instructions.
  • Vibration.
    		•  Replace chain. Reduce vibration. Use larger sprockets.
  • Excessively high speed.
    		•  Replace chain. Reduce speed. Redesign drive for smaller pitch chain.
    Exposed Chain Surfaces Corroded or Pitted
  • Exposure to corrosive environment.
    		•  Replace chain. Protect from hostile environment.
    Cracked Link Plates
    (Stress Corrosion)
  • Exposure to corrosive environment combined with stress from press fits.
    		•  Replace chain. Protect from hostile environment.
    Cracked Link Plates (Fatigue)
  • Loading greater than chain's dynamic capacity.
    		•  Replace chain. Reduce dynamic loading or redesign drive for larger chain.
    Battered Link Plate Edges
  • Chain striking an obstruction.
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate interference.
    Worn Link Plate Contours
  • Chain rubbing on casing, guide, or obstruction.
    		•  Replace chain if 5% or more of height worn away. Retension chain. Eliminate interference.
    Excessive Noise
  • Chain striking an obstruction.
    		•  Replace chain. Eliminate interference.
  • Loose casing or shaft mounts.
    		•  Tighten fasteners.
  • Excess chain slack.
    		•  Retension chain..
  • Excessive chain wear.
    		•  Replace and retension chain.
  • Excessive sprocket wear.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain.
  • Sprocket misalignment.
    		•  Replace chain and sprockets, if needed. Realign sprockets.
  • Inadequate lubrication.
    		•  Replace chain if needed. Re-establish proper lubrication.
  • Chain pitch too large.
    		•  Redesign drive for smaller pitch chain.
  • Too few sprocket teeth.
    		•  Check to see if larger sprockets can be used. If not, redesign drive.
    Wear on Inside of Roller Link Plates and one side of Sprockets.
  • Sprocket misalignment.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain if needed. Realign drive. Retension chain..
    Chain Clings to Sprocket
  • Excessive sprocket wear.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain.
  • Sprocket misalignment.
    		•  Replace sprockets and chain if needed. Realign sprockets.
    Go to:  Chain Drives - Installation   Chain Drives - Lubrication   Chain Drives - Maintenance


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