conveyor chain

[STLfirewood]

I' getting ready to start building my conveyor. I need some input of what kind of chain I should use. I am going to build a simple setup with c-channel in the middle. It's going to run one chain. The conveyor is going to run off a hydraulic motor. It will be 28-30ft long. I have o be able to pile wood 14ft high. I have no idea what size and type of chain to use. I need some help with the chain and the sprockets.

Thanks Scott

 

[Steve NW WI]

If you're going new, and cost is not a big factor, I'd go with this: 62 Detachable chain - Disclaimer, the site shown is just what popped up when I searched, I've never done business with them. You're probably gonna need 6 10' rolls + a bunch of attachment links, I think I'd put paddles every 2' or so personally.

Me, I'd be searching junkyards, "machinery row" out behind farmyards, auctions, craigslist, and whatnot to see what I could come up with for quite a bit cheaper.

 

[KsWoodsMan]

I'd use a pair of belts off a round bailer.

 

[indiansprings]

I'd find me some old hay elevators and use the chain off them, maybe weld a short piece of 1 1/2" angle onto the fingers that push the bale for a little more surface contact across the bed, it would catch/push the wood better,
down here they usually sell complete (hay elevators for 25-35 bucks at farm sales.

 

[freemind]

My vote, would be to buy a used hay elevator too.

They should go cheaper than buying a all new chain like you are saying.

 

[STLfirewood]

I have a used hay conveyor now. It keeps breaking the chain. The chain is showing a lot of wear. I have looked for a lot of square chain but most if it is quite worn. I need something that is going to run for a long time. I'll have to check into the belt. People on here before said they don't like the belt because they slip in the winter and are a pain when they get wet. I know new chain isn't going to be cheap but I want to do it right.

Scott

 

[LEES WOODC]

Its too bad you weren't closer, I've got tons of new surplus deck chain I use to build conveyors. Some used stuff too.

 

[STLfirewood]

Its too bad you weren't closer, I've got tons of new surplus deck chain I use to build conveyors. Some used stuff too.

I'm going to New Hampshire around the end of the month. I can stop and pick it up. I'm not looking for anything for free. What would you recommend for a conveyor that long? I don't mind over building if it makes it last a lot longer. Thanks Scott

 

[STLfirewood]

You said one chain? I'm not sure of your configuration, but from past experience repairing coveyors, I would be tempted to go with two, for repair reasons. One chain breaks, (and eventually, it will), the whole thing will come undone. It can be difficult to re-install by yourself. That being said, it may not be an issue at all. Just a liitle something to think of. Best of luck.

Here is a picture of what I am basing the conveyor off. I like the simple design of it. I am hoping by putting teflon in the c-channel that it will really cut down on the wear. I can see spending the money they want for new conveyors. When my old hay conveyor was working man it was nice. Let me know what problem you see with this design. I don't know anything about them.

Scott

 

[Sawmill]

I would not use the detachable link chain if you are going to use a single chain. I used this on my firewood processor and any time it gets any side strain on it it will come unhooked. I used some new and some old that I had. The old has enough wear on it that it comes unhooked. I bought some number 60 conveyor chain , this is the type that one link goes over 2 teeth on a sprocket and I will run a double chain with a bar between the 2 chains when I put it on this summer. I bought a conveyor similar to the one you posted, but mine is an aluminum feed conveyor that is 18 foot long and has paddles on a rubber belt spaced about 16 inches apart. This conveyor is mounted on a set of wheels similar to wheelbarrow wheels and will adjust the elevator height from almost flt to about a 45 degree angle. The rubber belt is 6 to 8 inches wide and the paddles are the width of the belt and about 2 or 3 inches high. I am going to run this with a hydraulic motor. This was to be my winter project but I have not started it yet. I bought this off a farm sale for 100.00 which is cheaper that the belt would have cost.

 

[LEES WOODC]

I'm going to New Hampshire around the end of the month. I can stop and pick it up. I'm not looking for anything for free. What would you recommend for a conveyor that long? I don't mind over building if it makes it last a lot longer. Thanks Scott

http://www.can-amchains.com/chains/mill.html

I used the offset to rebuild mine. It's about the heaviest chain you could use on a conveyor without being overkill.
I have about 60 feet of the combination chain in ok used condition. About 500' of the combination chain, new still in box. Also have some lighter used chain. Also have a bunch of belt conveyors for sale as well as other used sawmill equipment.

Heres a pic of the one I rebuilt last fall. Post #6 of this thread.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=110161&highlight=conveyor+chain

 

[STLfirewood]

Lees I like your conveyor and I am interested in your chain. Do you have sprockets to fit this chain? If not are they easy to find? Will this chain be heavy enough to do what I want. It really shouldn;t be pulling that much weight at a time. I want this conveyor to be pretty high speed. I'm going to make a big tray in front of the conveyor to dump a skid steer bucket full of wood on. It will have a hydraulic cylinder to lift the tray an spill the wood onto the conveyor. It will be an easy way for me to unload the trailers of firewood when they come in. I'll have a concrete pad to dump them on. Then scoop and dump. I might have to use a tool to break up jams as they go on the conveyor. I think it will work well and save me a lot of time.

Scott

 

[Sawmill]

Did you weld the paddles to your chain or did you have the linkd with the plate built in so you bolted on the paddles?

 

[woodman6666]

Scott
I recently built a 40ft firewood conveyor, I used 81X conveyor chain nice and heavy I bought all sprockets and such from Brown Machinery very helpful and a good price. I dont think the v design that you are basing your build on will work well for dumping in from a skid loader bucket. I think I would build it flat with your chain running in a groove in the center with 2 foot paddles which only need to be 1 inch high then your sides 4 inches high or so I will try to get a pic of mine but im not real computer smart. mine has elevated 300 cords or so so far with no probelms at all.
good luck

 

[STLfirewood]

Please send pics. I want to get it done right the first time. I won't be directly dumping on the conveyor. I know to move a lot of wood I will have to run the conveyor at a pretty good speed.

Scott

 

[redprospector]

Scott,
I think that woodman is right about the v design. The conveyor I built is v design, and it works ok if you're placing the wood on it by hand, one at a time. But for a higher production it is a PITA.

Andy

 

[STLfirewood]

OK I'll have to check into making a different design if the V doesn't work that well. I guess I might need to go to the drawing board.

Scott

 

[Sawmill]

I have to agree on the V design. It will work for me as I am not into high production. I have a friend that has a big V design and they really push the wood through it and the have a lot of problems feeding the wood into it. The wood has to go 1 piece at a time and it will not work very well if 2 pieces try to go side by side

 

[STLfirewood]

I have to agree on the V design. It will work for me as I am not into high production. I have a friend that has a big V design and they really push the wood through it and the have a lot of problems feeding the wood into it. The wood has to go 1 piece at a time and it will not work very well if 2 pieces try to go side by side

Does anyone know how fast I can run a conveyor like this? That could make up some production. The V-design just looks really easy to build.

Scott

 

[redprospector]

Does anyone know how fast I can run a conveyor like this? That could make up some production. The V-design just looks really easy to build.

Scott

I can't remember how many feet per minute mine is turning. But when I put the first piece on for a test run, it threw it about 20 feet. I started gearing it down to where it just dropped off the end, and quit there.

Andy