Leaf chains are heavy-duty lifting chains composed of only link plates and pins—without bushings or rollers. Commonly found in forklifts, telehandlers, and warehouse equipment, they are valued for their strength and simplicity. Also known as balance chains or cable chains, leaf chains resemble roller chains in shape but are optimized for vertical load transmission.
Leaf Chain vs. Roller Chain: What’s the Difference?
Leaf chains and roller chains may look similar at first glance, but they serve very different purposes due to their structural differences.
Roller chains include pins, bushings, and rollers, allowing them to run smoothly over sprockets—making them ideal for industrial machinery. In contrast, leaf chains are made only of plates and pins, designed to run over sheaves. This simpler construction makes them perfect for forklifts, telehandlers, and other material handling equipment.
| Chain | Plate | Pin | Bush | Roller | Runs On | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roller Chain | 1. Outer plate 2. Inner plate | V | V | V | Sprockets | Industrial machines |
| Leaf Chain | 1. Outer plate 2. Inner plate | V | X | X | Sheaves | 1. Forklift 2. Telehandler 3. Other material handling |
Extended Reading: What is roller chain?
The Applications of Leaf Chain
Leaf chains are commonly used in material handling systems that require high lifting strength within a compact space. Thanks to their simple yet durable construction—consisting only of link plates and pins—they are perfectly suited for vertical lifting and tension-driven operations.
Here are some of the most common real-world applications where leaf chains play a critical role:
- Forklifts: Leaf chains are essential in forklift mast systems, helping lift and lower heavy pallets with precision and reliability.
- Telehandlers: These versatile machines rely on leaf chains to maintain load stability and control during extended reach operations.
- Warehouse Lifting Systems: Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) often use leaf chains for moving platforms vertically, ensuring smooth and consistent lifting performance.
What are the types of Leaf chains?
Leaf chains, like roller chains, come in both American and European standards. The three main series include AL, BL (LH), and LL (EL), each differing in plate and pin dimensions to suit different load applications.
AL Series
- Same plate thickness and pin diameter as ANSI roller chains of the same pitch.
- Typically used for light load applications.
- Example: For pitch 1/2″, ANSI 40 and AL4 share the same plate thickness and pin diameter.
BL (LH) Series
- Built with thicker plates and larger pins than AL series of the same pitch.
- Plate thickness and pin diameter match those of an ANSI roller chain one pitch size larger.
- Designed for heavy load applications.
- Example: BL4 has pitch 1/2″ (same as ANSI 40), but its plate thickness and pin diameter match ANSI 50.
LL (EL) Series
- Manufactured to ISO standards, so plate thickness and pin diameter are the same as British Standard roller chains.
- Commonly used for light load applications.
- Example: For pitch 5/8″, 10B and LL10 (EL5) have the same plate thickness and pin diameter.
| Series | Type | Plate / Pin Dimensions Compared to Roller Chain | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL | American | Same as ANSI roller chain of the same pitch | light load |
| BL (LH) | American | Same as ANSI roller chain one pitch size larger | heavy load |
| LL (EL) | European | Same as British standard roller chain | light load |
Leaf chain lacing combination
Leaf chains are identified by their lacing combination, indicating the number of outer and inner plates in each link group. The format is shown as X×Y, where:
X = Number of outer plates
Y = Number of inner plates
Common lacing combinations range from 2×2 to 8×8, with higher counts used for higher strength.
How to Identify Leaf Chain Part numbers?
A leaf chain’s part number reflects its series, pitch code, and lacing. It follows this format:
[Series][Pitch Code][Lacing]
Example: AL422 = AL series, pitch code 4 (4/8″ = 1/2″), and 2×2 lacing.
| Part Number | Series | Pitch Code | Lacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL422 | AL | 4 | 2×2 |
| AL1022 | AL | 10 | 4×4 |
| BL588 | BL | 5 | 8×8 |
| BL1666 | BL | 16 | 6×6 |
| EL844 | EL | 8 | 4×4 |
| EL1644 | EL | 16 | 4×4 |
However, the pitch code doesn’t directly refer to what pitch it is. The unit of pitch is usually expressed as inch and the pitch codes only refer to the numerator of the fraction in inches. They have the rules as following.
AL series
It is measured in 1/8 inches so the denominator of the fraction refers to 8 and the numerator of the fraction refers to the pitch code.
BL (LH) series
BL is the chain number stipulated by ASME B29.8 while LH is stipulated by ISO 4347. Both are the same chain but has a different pitch expression.
- BL is measured in 1/8 inches, same as AL series. The numerator of the fraction also refers to the pitch code.
- LH is measured in 1/16 inches so the denominator of the fraction refers to 16 and the numerator of the fraction refers to the pitch code.
LL (EL) series
LL is the chain number stipulated by ISO 4347 but they also be named as EL by some manufacturers. Both are the same chain but has a different pitch expression.
- LL is measured in 1/16 inches, same as LH series. The numerator of the fraction also refers to the pitch code.
- EL is measured in 1/8 inches, same as AL/BL series. The numerator of the fraction also refers to the pitch code.
Conclusion
MCC Chains has long been a trusted supplier to OEMs across the USA and Europe, providing durable leaf chains for demanding material handling needs. Contact us today to learn how our leaf chain solutions can support your lifting and conveying systems.
