KEVOS® MAKEOS · Power Transmission
Chain Conveyor Pull and Drive Sizing
What chain pull, sprocket torque and motor power does this chain conveyor need, and is the chain strong enough?
Sizing of a drag or roller chain conveyor: chain pull on the carrying run from load and chain weight with friction and lift, the return run pull, total pull with a starting factor shared between strands against the chain working load, drive sprocket pitch diameter, torque and speed, and motor power.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyor length | m | Horizontal length of the conveyor. |
| Lift | m | Height the load rises along the conveyor. |
| Load per metre | kg/m | Mass of conveyed material per metre of conveyor. |
| Chain and attachments per metre (one run, all strands) | kg/m | Mass per metre of chain and attachments on one run (all strands together). |
| Friction coefficient (sliding or rolling) | Friction coefficient for the chain sliding on its track or rolling on rollers. | |
| Chain speed | m/s | Chain speed. |
| Chain strands | Number of chain strands sharing the pull. | |
| Starting and service factor | Factor for starting and duty. | |
| Working load per strand | kN | Allowable working load of one chain strand (from the chain maker). |
| Drive sprocket teeth | Teeth on the drive sprocket. | |
| Chain pitch | mm | Chain pitch. |
| Drive efficiency | % | Efficiency of the drive gearing. |
Method and formulas
- Carrying run: (q + q_c) g (μ L + H); return run: q_c g μ L.
- Design pull per strand = total pull × SF ÷ strands, against the working load.
- Sprocket PD = p ÷ sin(180° ÷ z); torque = pull × PD ÷ 2; speed = v ÷ π PD.
- Motor power = total pull × v ÷ η.
- Example: the conveyor needs 4.2659 kN of pull and about 1.5056 kW.
Limitations
- Steady running with a single friction coefficient; curves, scrapers and material build-up add pull.
- Chain selection must follow the chain maker’s ratings and wear life.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Size a chain conveyor drive and chain
- Check a chain conveyor for a heavier load
- Find drive sprocket torque and speed
Who it is for
- Materials-handling engineers
- Maintenance engineers
- Machine designers
What you get
- Carrying, return and total chain pull
- Pull per strand against the working load
- Sprocket torque, speed and motor power
Interpreting the result
- On long conveyors friction dominates; rollers on the chain cut the pull several times over.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 2537–2556. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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