Drive Chain Selection and

Engineering Information
Required information for drive selection:
1. Type of input power (electric motor, internal combustion
engine, etc.).
2. Type of equipment to be driven.

Table 1: Service Factors

Type of Input Power
Class of Driven
Load

3. Horsepower (HP) to be transmitted.

4. Full load speed of the fastest running shaft (RPM).
5. Desired speed of the slow-running shaft. NOTE: If the
speeds are variable, determine the horsepower to be
transmitted at each speed.
6. Diameters of the driver and driven shafts.
7. Center distance of the shafts.
NOTE: If this distance is adjustable, determine the
amount of adjustment.

Internal
Combustion
Electric Motor
Engine with
or Turbine
Hydraulic Drive

Internal
Combustion
Engine with
Mechanical
Drive

Uniform

1.2

Moderate

1.2

1.3

1.4

Heavy

1.4

1.5

1.7

Step 3: Calculate the Design Horsepower.

Design Horsepower = HP x Service Factor

8. Position of drive and space limitations (if any).

9. Conditions of the drive. Drives with more than two
sprockets, idlers, or unusual conditions such as severely
abrasive or corrosive environments, severely high or low
temperatures, widely fluctuating loads, frequent starts
and stops, etc., require special attention. It is advisable
to consult with Renold Jeffrey engineering personnel in
these situations.

The design horsepower equals the horsepower to be

transmitted times the service factor found in Table 1.

Abbreviations:
N Number of teeth on large sprocket
n Number of teeth on small sprocket
R RPM of large sprocket
r RPM of small sprocket
C Shaft center distance in chain pitches
HP Horsepower of drive motor

a)Locate the design horsepower calculated in Step 3

on the vertical axis by reading up the strand columns
(single, double, etc.) in order until the design horsepower
is located. The number of strands indicated at the top of
the column in which the design horsepower is FIRST
located is usually the recommended chain selection.
NOTE: Using the fewest number of chain strands will
usually result in the most economical selection.

Step 1: Determine the Class of Driven Load.

From the Application Classifications chart on page 117,
determine the class of driven load to be uniform, moderate,
or heavy shock.

b)Locate the RPM of the small sprocket on the horizontal

axis of the chart.

Step 2: Determine the Service Factor.

From Table 1, determine the service factor for the
application under consideration.

Step 4: Select the Chain Pitch.

From the Quick Selector Chart on page 118, make a
tentative chain selection as follows:

c)The intersection of the two lines (design horsepower and

small sprocket RPM) will be in an area designated with
the recommended chain pitch. If the intersection is near
the borderline of the designated pitch area, the chains
on both sides of the borderline should be evaluated to
assure the best overall selection.

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9
Engineering

Drive Chain Selection

115

Engineering

Drive Chain Selection

Step 5: Select the Number of Teeth on the small sprocket.
The minimum number of teeth are found in the horsepower
tables on pages 6-19. To determine, first calculate the
Horsepower Table Rating (HP Table) from the following
formula:
HP Table = Design HP (Step 3)
Multiple Strand Factor (Table 2)

Step 8: Check the Final Design.

Use the checklist found on page 119 (Table 4) to assure the
best balance of drive life, performance, and cost.
Step 9: Calculate the Chain Length.
Chain Length in Pitches = [(N + n)/2] + (2C) + (K/C)

Horsepower Table Ratings are given for each chain size on

pages 6-19. Turn to the appropriate page from the tentative
selection found in Step 4 and choose the number of teeth
for the small sprocket using the following method:

To determine K, subtract the number of teeth on the small

sprocket from the number of teeth on the large sprocket.
Consult Table 5 on page 120. Note that C is in chain
pitches, thus:
C = Center Distance (inches)/Chain Pitch (inches)

a)Determine the Horsepower Table Rating from the above

formula.
b)Read down the column in the horsepower table under the
RPM of the small sprocket until the required Horsepower
Table Rating is located. Read across the table to the first
column (No. of Teeth Small Sprocket). This is the
minimum number of teeth to specify for this application.
Note the lubrication method specified in the horsepower
table for the selected chain. This lubrication method
should be used in order to achieve reasonable service
life.
Table 2: Multiple Strand Factors

The required chain length in feet (L) may be obtained from:

L = (Chain Length in Pitches x Chain Pitch in Inches)/12
Slow Speed Selection
If the linear chain speed is less than 160 ft./min., then a
chain that is one size smaller than selected with the above
method may be used. To verify, check to see if the
calculated chain tension (T) is less than the Rated Working
Load of the chain. Rated Working Load values are
obtained in the specification tables found on pages 6-19.
Use the following formula to calculate T:
S = (Chain Pitch x n x r)/12
T = [(HP x 33,000)/S] x F (Table 3)

No. of
Strands

Factor

1.7

2.5

3.3

3.9

4.6

Table 3: Speed Factor

Chain Speed (ft./min.)

Step 6: Determine the Number of Teeth

on the large sprocket.

50 - 100

1.2

100 - 160

1.4

N = (r x n)/R
The number of teeth on the large sprocket equals the RPM
of the small sprocket times the number of teeth on the small
sprocket divided by the RPM of the large sprocket. NOTE:
For sprockets with less than 24 teeth, speeds over 600
RPM, ratios greater than 4:, heavy loading, or corrosive
environments; the use of hardened-tooth sprockets is
recommended.
Step 7: Determine the Recommended Minimum
Center Distance
C = (2N + n)/6
This formula is to be used as a guide for the MINIMUM
center distance only. The final selection may vary due to:
1. Required clearance dimensions
2. Allowing the final chain length to be an even number of
pitches. NOTE: An odd number of pitches requires an
offset link, which should be avoided if possible.

116

Factor (F)

0 - 50

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Application Classifications
Agitators
pure liquids
U
liquids and solids
M
liquidsvariable density M
Blowers
Centrifugal
U
Lobe
M
Vane
U
Brewing and Distilling
bottling machinery
U
brew kettlescont. duty U
cookerscont. duty
U
mash tubscont. duty
U
scale hopper, freq. starts M
Can Filling Machines
U
Cane Knives
M
Car Dumpers
H
Car Pullers
M
Clarifiers
U
Classifiers
M
Clay Working Machinery
brick press
H
briquette machine
H
clay working machine
M
pug mill
M
Compressors
Centrifugal
U
lobe
M
reciprocating multi-cyl.
M
reciprocating single-cyl. H
Conveyors
apron
U
assembly
U
belt
U
bucket
U
chain
U
flight
U
oven
U
screw
U
Conveyors, Heavy Duty
apron
M
assembly
M
belt
M
bucket
M
chain
M
flight
M
oven
M
live roller
M
reciprocating
H
screw
M
shaker
H
Cranes
main hoists
U
bridge travel
M
trolley travel
M
Crusher
ore
H
stone
H
sugar
M
Dredges
cable reels and conveyorsM
cutter heads and jigs
H
maneuvering winches
M
pumps
M
screen drives
H
stackers
M
Elevators
bucketuniform load
U
bucketheavy load
M
bucketcontinuous
U
centrifugal discharge
U

Elevators (continued)
escalators
U
freight
M
gravity discharge
U
man lifts and passenger H
Fans
centrifugal
U
cooling towers
U
induced draft
M
large (mine, etc.)
M
large industrial
M
small diameter
U
Feeders
apron & belt
M
disc
U
reciprocating
H
screw
M
Food Industry
beet slicer
M
cereal cooker
U
dough mixer
M
meat grinder
M
Generatorsexcept welding U
Hammer Mills
H
Hoists
heavy duty
H
medium duty
M
skip hoist
M
Laundry
reversing washers
M
tumblers
M
Line Shafts
processing equipment
M
light or other line shafts
U
Lumber Industry
barkers hydr./mech.
M
burner conveyor
M
chain or drag saw
H
chain transfer
H
craneway transfer
H
de-barking drum
H
edger or gang feeder
M
green chain
M
live rolls
H
log deck
H
log haulincline or well H
log turning device
H
main log conveyor
H
off bearing rolls
M
planer feed chains
M
planer floor chains
M
planer tilting hoist
M
re-saw conveyor
M
roll cases
H
slab conveyor
H
small waste conveyor belt U
small waste conveyor chain M
sorting table
M
triple hoist drives and conv. M
transfer rolls or conveyor M
trimmer feed
M
waste conveyor
M
Machine Tools
bearing roll
M
punch press gear drives H
notching press belt drives H
plate planers
H
tapping machine
H
main drives
M
auxiliary drives
U

Metal Mills
draw bench
carriage & main drives
pinch & dryer rolls (rev.)
scrubber rolls (rev.)
slitters
non-reverse group drives
non-reverse individual drives
reversing drives
wire drawing & flattening
wire winding machine
Mills Rotary Type
ball
cement lines
dryers and coolers
kilns
pebbles
rod, plane, & wedge bar
tumbling barrels
Mixers
concrete mixers
constant density
variable density
Oil Industry
chillers
oil well pumping
paraffin filter press
rotary kilns
Paper Mills
agitators or mixers
barkers
barking drums
beater and pulper
bleacher
calendars
calendarssuper
counch
cutters and platers
cylinders
dryers
felt stretcher
felt whipper
jordans
log haul
presses
pulp machine reel
stock chests
suction rolls
washers and thickeners
winders
Printing Presses
Pullers
barge haul
Pumps
centrifugal
proportioning
reciprocating
single acting, three or
more cylinders
double acting, two or
more cylinders
single acting, one or
two cylinders
double acting, one
cylinder
rotary gear type,
vane, or lobe

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M
M
H
H
M
M
H
H
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
H
M
U
M
M
H
M
M
M
M
H
M
U
M
H
M
H
M
M
M
H
H
H
U
M
M
U
M
U
U
H
U
M
H
M
M
M

Rubber and Plastics

Industries
crackers
H
laboratory equipment
M
mixing mills
H
refiners
M
rubber calendars
M
rubber mill 2 on line
M
rubber mill 3 on line
U
sheeters
M
tire building machines
M
tire and tube press openers M
tubers and strainers
M
warming mills
M
Sand Muller
M
Sewage Disposal Equipment
bar screens
U
chemical feeders
U
collectors
U
de-watering screws
M
scum breakers
M
slow or rapid mixers
M
thickeners
M
vacuum filters
M
Screens
air washing
U
rotary, stone, or gravel
M
traveling water intake
U
Slab Pushers
M
Steering Gear
H
Stokers
U
Sugar Industry
cane knives
M
crushers
M
mills
H
Textile Industry
batchers
M
calendars
M
cards
M
dry cans
M
dryers
M
dyeing machines
M
knitting machines
M
looms
M
mangles
M
nappers
M
pads
M
range drives
M
slashers
M
soapers
M
spinners
M
tenter frames
M
washers
M
winders
M
Note: Table gives typical values
only. Care should be taken to
assure these values conform to
the actual application.
U: Uniform Load
M: Moderate Load
H: Heavy Load

M
U

117

9
Engineering

Drive Chain Selection

Engineering

Drive Chain Selection

Quick Selector Chart

118

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Table 4: Chain Drive Checklist

Item

Item to Check

Suggested Alternatives

1 Small sprocket (driver sprocket) should have 17 or more teeth.

a) Use next smaller chain pitch

2 Large sprocket (driven sprocket) should have less than 120 teeth.

a) Use next larger chain

b) Use more chain strands
c) Speed ratio too large divide into two drives

3 Speed ratio should be 7:1 or less (optimum) 10:1 minimum.

a) Divide into two drives

4 With speed ratios greater than 3:1, the center distance between

a) Increase center distance

shafts should not be less than the outside diameter of the large

b) Divide into two drives

sprocket less the outside diameter of the small sprocket to provide c) Use more chain strands
the minimum recommended chain wrap of 120 degrees on the

d) Use next larger chain pitch

small sprocket.

e) Use next smaller chain pitch (with additional strands)

5 Center distance must be greater than 1/2 the sum of the outside

a) Increase center distance

diameter of both sprockets to prevent interference.

b) Use more chain strands

c) Use next larger chain pitch
d) Use next smaller chain pitch (with additional strands)

6 Selected sprockets must accommodate the specified shafts.

a) Select the closest size sprockets which will accept

the shafts

7 Drive should fit into available space.

a) Use next larger chain pitch

b) Use more chain strands
c) Use next smaller chain pitch (with additional strands)

8 Shaft center distance should be less than 80 pitches of chain.

a) Install guide or idlers

9 Center distance should be equal to or greater than the minimum

a) Use next smaller chain pitch (with additional strands)

center distances shown in the table below.

b) Use more chain strands

Chain Pitch (in.)

3/8

1/2

5/8

3/4

1-1/4

1-1/2

1-3/4

2-1/2

Min. Center Distance (in.)

12

15

21

27

33

39

45

57

66

10 Center distance should be within the optimum range of

30 50 pitches.

a) Use next larger chain pitch

b) Use more chain strands
c) Use next smaller chain pitch (with additional strands)

11 The final drive should have adequate capacity to handle the

required horsepower for the chain pitch as calculated in step 3

a) Make new selection or contact Renold Jeffrey chain

engineering

of the Selection Procedure.

12 For sprockets with less than 24 teeth, speeds greater than 600 RPM,

a) Hardened teeth sprockets are recommended

ratios over 4:1, and chains selected by the Slow Speed Chain
Selection formula (page 116).

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9
Engineering

Drive Chain Selection

119

Drive Chain Selection

Engineering

Table 5: K Values
Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

Nn

21

11.17

41

42.58

61

94.25

81

166.19

101

258.39

121

370.86

141

503.59

161

656.59

181

829.85

22

12.26

42

44.68

62

97.37

82

170.32

102

263.54

122

377.02

142

510.76

162

664.77

182

839.04

23

13.40

43

46.84

63

100.54

83

174.50

103

268.73

123

383.22

143

517.98

163

673.00

183

848.29

24

14.59

44

49.04

64

103.75

84

178.73

104

273.97

124

389.48

144

525.25

164

681.28

184

857.58

185

866.93

25

15.83

45

51.29

65

107.02

85

183.01

105

279.27

125

395.79

145

532.57

165

689.62

26

17.12

46

53.60

66

110.34

86

187.34

106

284.67

126

402.14

146

539.94

166

698.00

27

18.47

47

55.95

67

113.71

87

191.73

107

290.01

127

408.55

147

547.36

167

706.44

28

19.86

48

58.36

68

117.13

88

196.16

108

295.45

128

415.01

148

554.83

168

714.92

29

21.30

49

60.82

69

120.60

89

200.64

109

300.95

129

421.52

149

562.36

169

723.46

30

22.80

50

63.33

70

124.12

90

205.18

110

306.50

130

428.08

150

569.93

170

732.05

31

24.34

51

65.88

71

127.69

91

209.76

111

312.09

131

434.69

151

577.56

171

740.68

32

25.94

52

68.49

72

131.31

92

214.40

112

317.74

132

441.36

152

585.23

172

749.37

33

27.58

53

71.15

73

134.99

93

219.08

113

323.44

133

448.07

153

592.96

173

758.11

34

29.28

54

73.86

74

138.71

94

223.82

114

329.19

134

454.83

154

600.73

174

766.90

35

31.03

55

76.62

75

142.48

95

228.61

115

334.99

135

461.64

155

608.56

175

775.74

36

32.83

56

79.44

76

146.31

96

233.44

116

340.84

136

468.51

156

616.44

176

784.63

37

34.68

57

82.30

77

150.18

97

238.33

117

346.75

137

475.42

157

624.37

177

793.57

38

36.58

58

85.21

78

154.11

98

243.27

118

352.70

138

482.39

158

632.35

178

802.57

39

38.53

59

88.17

79

158.09

99

248.26

119

358.70

139

489.41

159

640.38

179

811.61

40

40.53

60

91.19

80

162.11

100

253.30

120

364.76

140

496.47

160

648.46

180

820.70

120

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