Lambda chain by Tsubaki helps sawmill get maximum conveyor performance

Tsubaki solved a sawmill's conveyor issues with new Lambda curved chains.

Tsubaki of Canada is the name to trust for top chain solutions, from curved chains to asphalt chains and drum sprockets and much more. For more than a century – including 45 years in Canada – this manufacturer has worked with businesses in many industries to supply the right products for their individual applications.

One of Tsubaki’s many past success stories involved a sawmill that was having issues with a transfer conveyor more than six years ago.

Longer life and better performance

The sawmill was using standard Tsubaki 80 curved chains in this system, which was conveying rough cut lumber on a 90-degree angle. But these chains were suffering from premature elongation because of a lack of lubrication, as well as over-tensioning. None of these chains lasted longer than two years. Worn sprockets were also preventing the conveyor from performing at a peak level.

Replacing these curved chains was costing the company a lot in financial expense and downtime. To find a better solution, the company went back to Tsubaki.

After examining the situation, the Tsubaki team recommended that the sawmill replace the standard 80 curved chain with a new Size 80 Lambda curved chain. This is a self-lubricating chain that uses oil-impregnated sintered bushings to keep the pin-bushing engaged area lubricated. A Lambda product can last up to 14 times longer than the wear elongation life of a non-lubricated ANSI standard roller chain. It is also an ideal pick for applications in which manual lubrication can be difficult.

Tsubaki also advised the customer to replace the worn sprockets with new ones. If sprockets are not replaced along with worn chains, the new chain’s operational life could be reduced by as much as 25 per cent for every additional installation on the same sprocket. Timely replacement of worn sprockets is necessary to avoid failure and needless downtime.

That was about six and a half years ago. Today, the replacement Lambda chain is still going strong, with optimal performance. Ever since following Tsubaki’s recommendations, the sawmill has saved more than $52,000 in operational costs and counting.

For more information, contact Tsubaki.

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