Description
Product Overview
The plastic conveyor chain with base roller chain is a hybrid design: a precision stainless steel or carbon steel roller chain provides the structural backbone and tensile strength, while a modular plastic top layer delivers the low-friction, corrosion-resistant conveying surface. This combination achieves tensile loads that a pure plastic chain cannot match, while retaining all the food-contact and wash-down advantages of the plastic surface. The result is a chain system suited to heavier products and longer conveyor runs than a standard all-plastic chain can handle.
EverPower plastic chain Australia Pty Ltd supplies these chains across the full LF1873 and related series, covering 19.05 mm (3/4″) and 12.7 mm (1/2″) pitch base chains in both straight-running and sideflexing configurations. Maximum tensile strength: carbon steel base chains rated up to 4,000 N, stainless steel SUS304 base chains to 2,000 N. For spiral conveyor system applications, the LF1873SCS configuration is available. See the full EverPower product range for all variants.
Series and Configuration Overview
| Series | Pitch | Configuration | Max Tensile (CS) | Max Tensile (SS) | Max Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LF1873 | 19.05 mm | Sideflexing | ≤4,000 N | ≤2,000 N | 24 m (SS) / 30 m (CS) |
| LF1873G | 19.05 mm | Sideflexing + Rubber Top | ≤4,000 N | ≤2,000 N | 24 m (SS) / 30 m (CS) |
| LF1873SCS | 19.05 mm | Spiral Conveyor System | ≤4,000 N | ≤2,000 N | Custom |
| LF843 | 12.7 mm | Straight Running | ≤3,000 N | ≤1,500 N | 20 m |
| LF1843 | 12.7 mm | Sideflexing | ≤3,000 N | ≤1,500 N | 20 m |
Rubber-Top Variant: When and Why
The rubber-top variant (LF1873G series) adds a vulcanised rubber pad to the top surface of each plastic link, raising the coefficient of friction from approximately 0.15–0.25 (standard POM) to 0.50–0.70 (rubber-top). This enables conveying on inclined sections up to approximately 30° without cleat chains or guide rail fences. It is also the preferred choice for Japanese-style high-speed dish conveying in restaurant and catering equipment, where the rubber pads cushion ceramic dishes against impact during acceleration and deceleration cycles — reducing breakage rates compared to hard-plastic or steel surfaces.
Spiral Conveyor System Application
The LF1873SCS configuration is purpose-engineered for spiral tower conveyors — vertical helix structures used to accumulate products between process stages with minimal floor footprint. Spiral conveyors present unique chain demands: simultaneous lateral flex, vertical load carrying, and resistance to centrifugal force pushing the chain against the outer guide rail on each revolution. Available in widths from 1,200 mm to 2,400 mm, the LF1873SCS suits spiral towers in bakery cooling, beverage filling accumulation, and cold-store transit systems.
Part Replacement Strategy
The base roller chain component and the plastic top layer are available as separate replacement items. In many applications, the plastic top surface wears before the steel base chain reaches end of life. Replacing only the plastic top inserts rather than the full chain assembly reduces replacement material cost by 40–60% on well-maintained conveyor systems — a significant operating cost advantage over the chain’s service life.
Matched Components and Accessories
| Component | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Base Roller Chains (1873/863/843/1843) | SUS304 and carbon steel, all pitches | ✓ In stock |
| Plastic Top Inserts | POM, rubber-top, and closed-surface variants | ✓ In stock |
| Matched Sprockets | Plastic and stainless, all series compatible | ✓ In stock |
| Connecting Links and Master Links | All pitches, SUS304 and carbon steel | ✓ In stock |
What Our Customers Say
“LF1873G rubber-top chain on our 15° incline to the capping module. Previously we were using a steel cleat chain that marked glass bottles — three complaints per week from the brand owner. Switched to the rubber-top variant, zero marking complaints in four months.”
— Maintenance Engineer, Premium Glass Bottling Line, Hunter Valley NSW
“The LF1873SCS spiral chain is performing at 10 months without any guide rail wear issues. The outer edge engagement geometry is clearly well-designed. Our previous chain needed shimming adjustments every three months.”
— Conveyor Systems Engineer, Bakery Group, Brisbane QLD
“We replaced the plastic inserts only — kept the SUS304 base chain — and the conveyor ran like new at a fraction of the full-replacement cost. Exactly the outcome you want when the base chain still has 60% life left.”
— Plant Manager, Seafood Processing, Fremantle WA
