Escalator Main Drive Chain

Overview

The main drive chain is the roller chain that carries torque from the gearbox output to the main drive shaft, or from the motor to the gearbox on machines without a shaft-mounted drive. It is a single point of failure: if it breaks or rides over a tooth, the escalator stops without warning. One Elevator supplies replacement main drive chains, connecting links, half links and the sprockets that run with them.

Applications

Drive chains are fitted in escalators and moving walks in metro stations, airports, shopping malls, exhibition centres and industrial plants, and are made to fit OTIS, KONE, Schindler, Mitsubishi, ThyssenKrupp, Hyundai and SJEC equipment. Elongation is the figure that matters, not appearance — a clean chain can still be past the 1.5% extension at which it should be replaced. Transit duty machines are usually changed on a three to five year cycle. Where the unit also has a handrail drive chain, both should be measured at the same visit, because they wear at different rates.

Types and Range

• Simplex and duplex roller chains for the main drive
• Chains in 12.7 mm, 15.875 mm and 19.05 mm pitch
• Heavy-duty transit chains with hardened pins and bushes
• Chains supplied with connecting links, half links and offset links
• Matched chain and sprocket kits for even wear-in
• Tensioners, chain guide shoes and lubrication brushes

Pitch, strand count and pin diameter are matched to the original chain.

Selection Guide

Confirm three things before ordering: pitch and strand count, the number of links or the shaft centre distance, and the pin and bush diameter. Check the tensioner and the sprocket teeth at the same time — a new chain on hooked teeth wears out in months, and a seized tensioner is what snapped the old chain. Lubrication decides chain life more than any other factor, so confirm the lubrication brush reaches the chain and the oiler is feeding. Chains are produced to ISO 606 roller chain dimensions and proof-loaded before dispatch.

Ordering and Lead Time

Most chains ship within 10-15 days. Send the pitch, strand count and link count from the old chain, and we will confirm the correct chain and quote within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

How do I order a main drive chain?

Give us the pitch and strand count, the link count or the shaft centre distance, and the pin and bush diameter.

When should a drive chain be replaced?

When elongation passes 1.5% of the original pitch. Appearance is misleading – a clean chain can still be past its limit.

Do you supply the sprockets too?

Yes. A new chain on hooked teeth wears out in months, so we supply chain and sprockets as a matched kit where both are due.