Overview
A roller chain conveyor drives its rollers with a chain rather than with belts or friction. Each roller carries a sprocket, and a chain links them together so every roller is positively driven from the same motor. It is often called a chain driven live roller, or CDLR.
The reason to choose it is load and grip. A friction-driven roller conveyor can slip when the load is very heavy, when the line is on an incline, or when oil, water or debris gets onto the drive surface. A chain drive cannot slip, because the rollers are mechanically linked. That makes it the standard choice for pallets, heavy crates, drums, steel stock and anything else where losing drive is not acceptable.
Chain driven rollers also cope with conditions that would destroy a lighter drive arrangement. Foundries, sawmills, tyre plants, steel works and pallet handling all run chain driven roller conveyors because the drive keeps working through heat, dust, swarf and wash-down, and because the components are heavy enough to be repaired rather than replaced.
Belt types
Chain driven live roller (CDLR)
The standard arrangement, with roller-to-roller chain linking every roller. Positive drive with no slip, used for pallets and heavy unit loads.
Heavy duty pallet handling
Reinforced frame and large diameter rollers built for full pallet weights, used in warehousing, palletising and production line staging.
Accumulating chain driven
Zoned sections that allow loads to queue on the conveyor without driving into each other, for buffering between machines and processes.
Stainless wash-down build
Stainless frame and components for wet, food and hygiene-critical areas where the conveyor is cleaned regularly.
Key features
Positive drive, no slip
Rollers are mechanically linked by chain, so drive is never lost to slip, even under very heavy loads or in oily, wet or dusty conditions.
Handles heavy loads
Built for pallets, drums, crates, steel stock and heavy unit loads that would overwhelm a belt or friction-driven roller conveyor.
Works on inclines
Because drive cannot slip, chain driven rollers hold and move load up a gradient where a friction drive would lose grip.
Built for harsh conditions
Heat, dust, swarf, oil and wash-down are handled by heavy components and enclosed drive arrangements, so the conveyor survives environments that destroy lighter equipment.
Repairable, not disposable
Chains, sprockets and individual rollers are replaceable wear items, so the conveyor is maintained in place over a long service life.
Sized on your heaviest load
Roller diameter, wall thickness, pitch, chain size and frame are all specified from the worst-case load rather than the average one.
Applications
- Pallet handling and transfer
- Palletising and depalletising lines
- Heavy crate, drum and container handling
- Production line staging and buffering
- Warehouse goods-in and goods-out
- Incline transfer of heavy loads
- Foundry, steel and heavy manufacturing
- Wash-down areas with stainless build
Typical specifications
- Drive
- Roller to roller chain drive, positively driven with no slip
- Roller diameter
- Large diameter heavy-walled rollers, sized on the heaviest unit load
- Roller pitch
- Set so the load is always supported by enough rollers, based on pallet or load base dimensions
- Chain
- Industrial roller chain, sized to the drive load and duty cycle
- Frame
- Heavy steel, galvanised, or stainless steel for wash-down duty
- Layouts
- Straight runs, transfers, inclines and accumulating zones
- Load
- Heavy unit loads including full pallets, specified per project
Typical values for this conveyor type. Final specifications are confirmed for your application on quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chain driven roller conveyor?
A chain driven roller conveyor, also called CDLR, links every roller together with chain and sprockets so all rollers are positively driven from one motor. Because the rollers are mechanically connected rather than driven by friction, the drive cannot slip regardless of load or contamination.
When should I use a roller chain conveyor instead of a standard roller conveyor?
Use chain drive when the load is heavy, such as pallets and drums, when the conveyor runs on an incline, or when oil, water, dust or swarf would cause a friction drive to slip. A standard powered roller conveyor is fine and cheaper for cartons and totes on the flat.
Can a roller chain conveyor handle pallets?
Yes, this is its most common use. Roller diameter, wall thickness, pitch, chain size and frame are specified for full pallet weights. Pallet base condition matters too, since broken or irregular boards affect how a pallet runs, so that is reviewed as part of sizing.
Can loads accumulate on a chain driven roller conveyor?
Yes, using zoned accumulating sections so loads queue without driving into the load in front. This is used to buffer between machines and processes, which matters with heavy loads because uncontrolled pressure between pallets can damage product and stall the drive.
Does it work in wash-down or dirty environments?
Yes. Stainless steel builds are used for wash-down, food and hygiene-critical areas. In dirty industrial settings the positive chain drive is actually an advantage, since dust, swarf and oil that would make a friction drive slip do not stop a mechanically linked chain.
What maintenance does it need?
Chain tension, lubrication and sprocket wear are the routine items, and chains, sprockets and individual rollers are replaceable. That is by design, they are wear parts on a frame that is meant to last, so the conveyor is repaired in place over many years rather than replaced.