Zinc-based coating makes chains last longer

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 15, 2007

Larger chains are designed specifically to reduce premature failure in trucks operating at the heavier end of the forklift market.

Chaintec has introduced a new range of 1.5 to 2.5in-pitch Zi-Co coated chains.

These larger chains are designed specifically to reduce premature failure in trucks operating at the heavier end of the forklift market and incorporate an innovative outer plate assembly system and sophisticated lubricants.

Zi-Co chain has a uniquely formulated zinc coating that is applied to the chain pre-assembly, ensuring a complete coating on the plates and around the pins - the benefits of which are blatant.

In independent salt spray trials, trucks fitted with Zi-Co chain showed wear rates to have been significantly reduced, the life of the chain extended by as much as five-times in some cases, resulting in a massive reduction in the downtime of the vehicle.

And test trucks placed in a steel foundry, that previously required chain replacement in less than 12 months, have achieved a 3 year replacement schedule with Zi-Co chain installed.

In 2004, Chaintec launched the first range of Zi-Co chains which included sizes up to 1in pitch.

The extension to the original range will make this revolutionary chain available to larger forklifts operating in hostile environments, and will be particularly applicable to dockside operations and hot metal processing plants where wear rate is traditionally high.

In addition to extending the range of pitch sizes available for the Zi-Co range, Chaintec has also improved the lubricant used on these larger chains, including polymer additives, and this coupled with the introduction of the new outer pin assembly, which allows pins to revolve freely in the plates, means the traditional problems caused by salt ingress and lubrication being flushed out by the elements have been eradicated.

David Hassan, Managing Director at Chaintec commented: "Our company has always maintained a reputation for innovation and expertise and we believe that Zi-Co chain is a huge step-forward in leaf chain design".

"We have introduced the new range of chains for larger trucks in response to demand from customers, in particular those operating in dockside environments, where salt spray is a real problem for standard chains".