SELECTION

Roller Chain Drive Selection

3. Calculate Design Horsepower: Motor HP x Service
Factor, or normal running HP x Service Factor.
4. Determine Chain Size and Smaller (Usually the Driv-
er) sprocket number of teeth: Refer to “Recommended
Smaller Sprocket” table on page PT12--30, PT12--31.
Start at column that is at or above the calculated design
HP. Trace down to the row that includes the RPM of the
faster (Usually the Driver) shaft. The chain pitch and
EASY SELECTION METHOD sprocket No. of Teeth are listed at this intersection.
1. Determine Class of Service: Refer to tabulation be- 5. Calculate Drive Ratio: Faster shaft Rpm divided be
low, or select from the following: Slower shaft RPM.
Class A: Fairly uniform running load. Start-up and peak 6. Determine Size of Large Sprocket: Multiply smaller
loads occur infrequently. sprocket No.teeth by ratio. Select Closest stock available
Class B: Variable running load. Higher starting and peak sprocket.
loads, occurring more frequently. 7. Calculate Chain Length “L”:
Class C: Heavy starting loads. Peak loads and overloads (D – d) 2
L = 2c + 1.57. (D + d) +
occurring frequently. 4c
2. Select Service Factor: Where: D = Pitch dia. large sprocket, (see page PT12--44)
Type of Input Power d = Pitch dia.small sprocket,(see page PT12--44)
Class
of Internal Combustion Electric Internal Combustion c = Proposed center distance
Service Engine with or Engine with (Accuracy is within .15% chain length)
Hydraulic Drive Turbine Mechanical Drive
A 1.0 1.0 1.2
Divide chain length (inches) by chain pitch to determine
B 1.2 1.3 1.4 number of pitches in the chain. Good practice is to use an
C 1.4 1.5 1.7 even number of pitches, including connecting link.
Class of Service for Driven Machine
Driven Machine Class Driven Machine Class
Agitators, liquid or semi-liquid stock, paddle or Line Shafts:
propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Light or normal service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Bakery Machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Unevenly loaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Beaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Machines, Non-Reversing:
Blowers, Centrifugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Even load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Boat Paddle Wheels or Propellers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Pulsating load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Centrifuges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Impact load. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Clay Working Machinery: Mills:
Extruders, Granulators, Mixers, Pug Mills, Rolls. . . . . . . B Ball, Pebble, Rod, Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Briquette Machine, Presses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Blooming, Hammer, Hardinge, Rolling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Compressors: Paper Machinery:
Centrifugal, Rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Agitators, Calenders, Dryers, Jordan Engines, Paper
Reciprocating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Machines, Pulp Grinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Conveyors: Beaters, Chippers, Nash Pumps, Washers, Winder
Uniformly or loaded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Drums, Yankee Dryers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Irregularly fed or loaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Presses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Reciprocating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Printing Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Cookers, Cereal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Pumps:
Cranes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Centrifugal, Gear, Rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Crushers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Dredge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Elevators: Reciprocating, 1 or 2 cylinder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Uniformly fed or loaded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Reciprocating, 3 or more cylinder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Irregularly fed or loaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Rubber Plant Machinery:
Fans: Banbury Mills, Calenders, Mixers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Centrifugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Screens:
Mine, Positive Blowers, Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Air Washing, Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Feeders, Reciprocating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Rotary (Stone or Gravel), Vibrating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Flour, Feed or Cereal Mill Machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Textile Machinery:
Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Batcher, Calender, Dry Can, Dyeing Machinery.
Hogs for Refuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Loom, Mangel, Napper, Soaper, Spinner, Tenter
Kettles, Brew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Kilns and Dryers, rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Card Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Laundry Machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Woodworking Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B

FEATURES/BENEFITS SPECIFICATIONS RELATED PRODUCTS ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL

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PT12--28
SELECTION
SELECTION EXAMPLE SLOW SPEED DRIVES
A chain drive is required for a tumbling barrel for metal Where linear speed of the chain is under 100 fpm and
stampings. The barrel is to run at 24 RPM from a speed loading is uniform, roller chain drives may be selected on
reducer output of 77 RPM. Center distance is 50”. Input the basis of chain pull rather than horsepower rating. This
power is from a 5 HP electric motor. Starting loads are often results in significant savings.
heavy, peak loads and overloads are frequent. When chain length is more than 50 pitches, the maximum
1. Service Factor: Class of service is not listed in table, applied load may be as great as 1/7 of the ultimate tensile
so refer to Class Description. Class C is appropriate. Ser- strength of the chain for speeds below 50 fpm to 100 fpm.
vice Factor Table shows 1.5 Class C driven by an electric Unusual load variations of peak loads require other meth-
motor. ods of determining the maximum applied load.
2. Design HP: Motor HP x S.F. 5 x 1.5 = 7.5 Design HP. Chain pull may be calculated by the following formula:
Design hp x 126, 000
3. Chain and Small Sprocket Size: Refer to the 7-1/2 HP Chain Pull (lbs.) =
rpm x pitch diam.
column of the Easy Selection Table. Trace down to the
row that includes 77 RPM, “71-80 RPM”. No. 100 chain Table below offers a simplified method of determining al-
and sprocket with 15 teeth is shown: select 100BTL15. lowable chain pull for slow speed drives. The table also
shows revolutions per minute for a given pitch diameter at
4. Drive Ratio: 77/24 = 3.21:1.
50 and 100 feet per minute. Average tensile strength for
5. Large Sprocket: 15 x 3.21 = 48.15. Select a 48 tooth all popular roller chain is given on PT12--45.
driven sprocket, 100BTL48, which is a stock size.
Information for Slow Speed Drives
6. Chain Length:
Allowable Chain Pull
(19.113-6.013)2 for STD. Chain
L = 2(50) + 1.57(19.113 + 6.013) + RPM for a Given Pitch Diam.
4x50 Max. Chain Pull at Various Speeds
Chain
Chai @ 50 fpm @ 100 fpm
L = 140.31” (No.100 Chain has 1-1/4 or 1.25” Pitch) No. @ 50 fpm @ 50-100 P.D. in
Length in pitches = 140.31/1.25 = 112.48 pitches. or less fpm inches RPM RPM
Choose 112 or 114 Pitches of chain, including Conn Link. 40 528 462 2 95.0 191.0
50 871 762 3 63.6 127.2
7. Verify that sprockets will fit shaft sizes. 60 1214 1062 4 47.7 95.5
80 2071 1812 5 38.2 76.4
100 3428 3000 6 31.8 63.7
DESIGN NOTES 120 4857 4250 7 27.3 54.6
140 6571 5750 8 23.9 47.8
Small Sprocket Size: The higher RPM and the fewer the 160 8285 7250 9 21.2 42.4
180 11,428 10,000 10 19.1 38.2
number of teeth on the small sprocket, the greater the 200 13,571 11,875 11 17.3 34.7
wear. 240 18,571 16,250 12 15.9 31.8

This leads to some general guidelines: Note: Smaller sprockets can be used on slow speed drives as
the effects of chordal action are not pronounced. However,
¯ Use at least 17 teeth sprocket for 100+ RPM. small sprockets of fewer than 9 teeth should be avoided.
¯ Avoid high ratios that require very small sprockets MULTIPLE STRAND CHAIN DRIVES
Lubrication: Chain drives must be lubricated and kept Single Strand drives offer cost and availability advan-
clean. The most effective method to accomplish this is to tages, and are more easily assembled. Multiple strand
use an oil-tight chain guard with an oil sump. Manual lu- drives can be used to solve design problems of greater
brication is effective on slower speed drives, but exposure HP capacity or space constraints. For multiple strand
to dirt and contamination will be a problem for the drive. drives, divide the calculated Design HP by the factors be-
low, and select from the ratings for single strand drives:
Design Refinement: The “Easy Selection Method” is a
good starting point for further design refinement, if de- Multiple Strand Factors
sired. Refer to the Chain HP Rating Tables on the follow- Single: 1.0
ing pages for more precise ratings. also refer to “Slow Double 1.9
Speed Drives” which follows this section. Triple: 2.8

FEATURES/BENEFITS SPECIFICATIONS RELATED PRODUCTS ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL

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PT12--29
SELECTION
Easy Selection Table
RECOMMENDED SMALL SPROCKET
RPM Chain Size and No. of Teeth for Design HP
of small
Sprocket 1/4 1/3 1/2 3/4 1 1 -1/2 2 3 4 5 6 7 -1/2
951-1000 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 23 40 17 40 17 40 20 40 24
901-950 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 24 40 17 40 18 40 21 40 25
851-900 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 24 40 17 40 18 40 22 50 17
801-850 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 18 40 17 40 17 40 19 40 23 50 17
751-800 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 19 40 17 40 17 40 20 40 24 50 17
701-750 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 20 40 17 40 18 40 22 40 25 50 17
651-700 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 22 40 17 40 19 40 23 50 17 50 18
601-650 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 18 35 23 40 17 40 20 40 24 50 17 50 19
551-600 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 19 40 17 40 17 40 21 50 17 50 17 50 21
501-550 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 21 40 17 40 17 40 23 50 17 50 18 50 22
471-500 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 22 40 17 40 17 40 24 50 17 50 19 50 24
441-470 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 23 40 17 40 17 50 17 50 17 50 20 50 25
411-440 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 17 40 21 50 17 50 18 50 22 60 17
381-410 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 17 40 22 50 17 50 19 50 23 60 17
351-380 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 17 40 24 50 17 50 21 50 24 60 18
321-350 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 18 50 17 50 18 50 22 60 17 60 20
301-320 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 19 50 17 50 19 50 23 60 17 60 21
281-300 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 19 50 17 50 20 50 25 60 18 60 22
261-280 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 19 50 17 50 22 60 17 60 19 60 23
241-260 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 17 40 19 50 18 50 23 60 17 60 20 80 17
221-240 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 19 40 24 50 19 50 25 60 19 60 22 80 17
201-220 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 35 17 40 20 50 17 50 21 60 17 60 20 60 24 80 17
181-200 35 17 35 17 35 18 35 17 35 17 40 22 50 17 50 23 60 18 60 22 60 26 80 17
161-180 35 17 35 17 35 20 40 18 35 17 40 24 50 17 50 25 60 20 60 24 80 17 80 17
151-160 35 17 35 17 35 21 40 18 35 17 50 17 50 18 60 17 60 21 60 25 80 17 80 17
141-150 35 15 35 15 35 22 40 18 40 15 50 17 50 19 60 17 60 22 80 17 80 17 80 18
131-140 35 15 35 15 35 23 40 18 40 15 50 17 50 20 60 18 60 23 80 17 80 17 80 19
121-130 35 15 35 15 40 13 40 18 40 15 50 17 50 22 60 19 60 25 80 17 80 17 80 20
111-120 35 15 35 15 40 13 40 18 40 15 50 18 50 22 60 20 80 15 80 17 80 18 80 22
101-110 35 15 35 15 40 15 40 18 50 15 50 19 60 15 80 15 80 15 80 16 80 19 100 15
91-100 35 15 35 15 40 15 40 15 40 17 50 15 50 18 60 17 80 15 80 18 100 15 100 15
81-90 35 15 35 15 40 15 40 15 50 15 50 15 50 18 60 18 80 15 80 15 80 16 100 15
71-80 35 15 35 17 40 15 40 16 50 15 50 18 60 14 80 15 80 15 80 16 100 15 100 15
61-70 35 15 35 19 40 15 40 19 50 15 60 15 60 16 80 15 80 15 80 18 100 15 100 15
51-60 35 17 40 13 40 15 50 13 50 15 60 15 60 19 80 15 80 17 100 15 100 15 100 16
46-50 40 13 40 13 40 16 50 13 50 16 60 14 80 13 80 13 100 13 100 13 100 14 100 17
41-45 40 13 40 13 40 18 50 16 60 13 60 16 80 13 80 14 100 13 100 13 100 16 120 13
35-40 40 13 40 14 50 13 50 16 60 13 60 19 80 13 80 17 100 13 100 14 100 18 120 14
30-35 40 13 40 16 50 13 50 18 60 15 80 13 80 13 80 19 100 13 100 16 120 13 120 14
23-29 40 14 50 13 50 16 60 14 60 19 80 13 80 17 100 13 100 16 120 14 120 15 120 18
17-22 50 13 50 14 60 13 60 19 80 13 80 17 100 13 100 17 120 13 120 16 140 13 140 16
12-16 50 15 60 13 60 18 80 13 80 16 100 13 100 16 120 14 120 18 140 15 140 17 160 15
8-11 60 14 60 18 80 13 80 18 100 13 100 17 120 14 140 13 140 17 160 15 160 18 180 18
5-7 80 13 80 13 100 13 100 13 100 18 120 17 140 14 180 15 180 14 200 13 200 15 240 13

Notes: 2. Sprocket selections are recommended minimum. Larg-

er sizes may be selected if required to obtain desired
1. Apply Service Factor to obtain Design Horsepower.
ratio, etc.
Select small sprocket based upon Design Horsepower
and RPM on this chart. 3. To use this chart for double or triple strand chain, di-
vide the design horsepower by the following factors:
Double strand: 1.9, Triple strand: 2.9

FEATURES/BENEFITS SPECIFICATIONS RELATED PRODUCTS ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL

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PT12--30
SELECTION
Easy Selection Table
RECOMMENDED SMALL SPROCKET
RPM Chain Size and No. of Teeth for Design HP
of small
Sprocket 9 10 12 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
951-1000 50 17 50 17 50 20 60 17 60 20 60 24 80 17 80 18
901-950 50 17 50 18 50 21 60 17 60 21 80 17 80 17 80 18
851-900 50 17 50 19 50 22 60 17 60 22 80 17 80 17 80 19
801-850 50 18 50 20 50 23 60 17 60 23 80 17 80 17 80 20
751-800 50 19 50 21 60 16 60 18 60 24 80 17 80 17 80 21
701-750 50 20 50 22 60 17 60 19 60 25 80 17 80 17 80 22 100 17
651-700 50 21 50 24 60 17 60 21 80 17 80 17 80 18 80 23 100 17
601-650 50 23 60 16 60 18 60 22 80 17 80 17 80 19 100 17 100 17
551-600 50 24 60 17 60 19 60 24 80 17 80 18 80 21 100 17 100 18
501-550 60 17 60 18 60 21 80 17 80 17 80 19 80 22 100 17 100 20
471-500 60 17 60 19 60 22 80 17 80 17 80 20 80 23 100 17 100 21 100 24 120 17
441-470 60 18 60 20 60 23 80 17 80 17 80 21 100 17 100 18 100 22 120 17 120 18
411-440 60 19 60 21 80 16 80 17 80 18 80 22 100 17 100 19 120 17 120 17 120 21
381-410 60 20 60 22 80 17 80 17 80 19 80 24 100 17 100 20 120 17 120 18 120 21
351-380 60 22 60 24 80 17 80 17 80 21 100 17 100 17 100 21 120 18 120 19 140 17
321-350 60 23 80 17 80 17 80 17 80 22 100 17 100 18 100 24 120 19 120 21 140 17 140 18 140 21
301-320 80 17 80 17 80 17 80 18 80 23 100 17 100 19 100 24 120 21 140 17 140 17 140 19 140 21
281-300 80 17 80 17 80 17 80 19 100 17 100 17 100 20 120 17 120 21 140 17 140 18 140 21 160 17
261-280 80 17 80 17 80 17 80 20 100 17 100 18 100 21 120 17 120 21 140 17 140 19 160 17 160 17
241-260 80 17 80 17 80 18 80 22 100 17 100 19 100 22 120 18 140 17 140 17 140 21 160 18 160 18 160 20
221-240 80 17 80 17 80 19 80 23 100 17 100 20 100 24 120 21 140 17 140 19 160 17 160 18 160 20 160 22
201-220 80 17 80 17 80 20 100 17 100 18 100 22 120 17 120 21 140 17 160 17 160 17 160 19 180 17 160 23
181-200 80 17 80 19 80 22 100 17 100 20 100 24 120 18 140 17 140 19 160 18 160 18 160 20 180 18 180 18
161-180 80 19 80 21 80 25 100 17 100 22 120 17 120 21 140 17 140 21 160 19 160 21 180 17 180 19 180 21
151-160 80 20 80 22 100 17 100 18 100 24 120 17 120 21 140 18 160 19 160 19 160 21 180 18 180 20 200 17
141-150 80 21 100 15 100 17 100 19 100 24 120 18 140 16 140 19 160 19 160 21 180 17 180 19 200 16 200 17
131-140 80 22 100 15 100 17 100 20 120 17 120 21 140 17 140 21 160 19 160 21 180 18 180 19 200 18 200 19
121-130 80 24 100 16 100 17 100 21 120 18 120 21 140 17 140 21 160 19 180 17 180 19 200 17 200 19 200 21
111-120 100 15 100 17 100 18 100 24 120 19 120 21 140 18 160 17 160 21 180 18 180 21 200 18 200 20 200 23
101-110 100 15 100 17 120 15 120 15 140 15 140 16 140 19 160 17 180 16 180 19 200 17 200 19 200 21 240 18
91-100 100 17 100 20 120 15 120 18 140 16 140 19 160 16 160 19 180 19 200 16 200 18 200 21 240 15 240 18
81-90 100 18 100 15 120 16 120 18 140 17 140 19 160 17 160 21 200 15 200 18 200 21 200 23 240 18 240 18
71-80 100 15 120 15 120 18 120 18 140 18 160 15 160 18 180 17 200 17 200 19 240 15 240 16 240 19 240 20
61-70 100 16 120 18 120 19 140 15 160 15 160 19 180 15 200 15 200 19 240 15 240 17 240 19 240 21 240 23
51-60 100 19 120 15 120 15 140 18 160 16 180 15 180 18 200 18 240 15 240 17 240 19 240 22 240 25 240 26
46-50 120 13 120 14 120 16 140 13 160 13 180 16 200 15 200 19 240 15 240 18 240 20 240 24 .... ....
41-45 120 14 120 15 120 18 140 15 160 14 180 14 200 16 200 21 240 17 240 20 240 23 240 26 .... ....
35-40 120 16 120 18 140 14 140 17 160 16 180 13 180 15 240 15 240 19 240 23 240 26 .... .... ....
30-35 120 19 140 13 140 16 160 14 160 18 180 15 180 18 240 13 240 21 240 25 .... .... .... ....
23-29 140 14 140 15 160 13 160 18 180 16 200 15 200 17 240 14 240 18 240 27 .... .... .... ....
17-22 160 13 160 15 180 13 180 16 200 16 240 13 240 13 240 15 240 24 .... .... .... .... ....
12-16 160 18 180 13 180 16 200 15 240 13 240 15 240 21 240 27 .... .... .... .... .... ....
8-11 200 13 200 15 200 18 240 14 240 18 240 23 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
5-7 240 13 240 15 240 17 240 22 240 29 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

4. Sprocket selections above the bold line are based 5. To achieve design life keep chain free of dirt and con-
upon ANSI horsepower ratings. Selections below the taminants, and apply appropriate lubrication.
bold line are based upon the chain pull formula for
slow speed drives.

FEATURES/BENEFITS SPECIFICATIONS RELATED PRODUCTS ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL

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PT12--31