Toothed roller chains
Toothed roller chains (also known as sharp-top or saw-tooth chains) are purpose-built for gentle, slip-free transport in sawmills, particle board plants and the timber processing industry. Unlike standard drive roller chains, the toothed plates grip directly into the conveyed material — logs, boards, glulam, particle board, MDF panels or coated aluminium profiles — ensuring positional accuracy with minimal slip. SENN supplies toothed roller chains in common pitches 24B (38.1 mm), 32B (50.8 mm) and special pitches, as single or multi-strand designs with block link plates. Available tooth profiles include pointed teeth for log turners and root reducers, flat teeth for board separators, and hardened infeed teeth for profile chippers and cut-off saws. Plastic clips and rubber pads are available for surface-sensitive goods. All chains are dynamically pre-stretched and delivered with optimised hot-dip initial lubrication — reducing chain elongation in service by up to 30% compared to standard chains. Standard types ex stock, custom designs to drawing. Typical wood-industry applications and internal references are summarised on the wood industry conveyor chains hub.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What distinguishes a toothed roller chain from a standard drive roller chain?
Toothed roller chains have outer plates with formed or attached teeth that grip directly into the conveyed material, instead of smooth outer plates. They are not used for torque transmission but as conveyor chains for the positional transport of logs, boards, panels and profiles. Design, materials and heat treatment are optimised for impact loads, resin, moisture and dust.
Which tooth form do I need for my application?
Pointed teeth for log turners and butt reducers — they grip securely into round timber without splitting it. Hardened feed teeth (HRC 58–62) for profile chippers and cut-off saws where high surface pressure occurs. Flat teeth or plastic clips for board separators and transporting coated panels, MDF or glulam.
What does SBR design mean for roller chains?
SBR stands for Solid Bush Roller. Bushings and rollers are manufactured from cold-drawn seamless precision steel tube instead of rolled strip steel. This results in better concentricity, more uniform contact surfaces and significantly higher fatigue strength — in practice up to 30% less chain elongation.
Can SENN retrofit existing systems with toothed chains?
Yes. We manufacture system-specific toothed roller chains to custom drawings or sample. Sprockets, guide rails and chain guides are supplied to match. For on-site retrofits, we measure existing chain geometries on request and design compatible replacement chains.
How do I maintain toothed roller chains in sawmill operation?
Re-lubricate after the first 50–100 operating hours, then at intervals according to load and dust exposure. Check chain tension regularly — despite pre-stretching, wear elongation occurs. Replace worn teeth and plastic clips individually where the design permits. Inspect guide rails for wear and turn or replace them in good time.