Sprockets for Elevators and Lifts

Chain-driven goods lifts, freight elevators, mast climbers, vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs), and scissor-lift mechanisms all rely on precision heavy-duty sprockets to transmit motor torque to the lifting chain safely and reliably. In lifting applications, the sprocket is a safety-critical component — subject to sustained dead loads, shock loads from uneven loading, and fatigue loading over the equipment’s service life. View our heavy-duty lifting sprocket range →

Industrial elevator chain drive sprocket

கண்ணோட்டம்

Chain-driven lifting equipment in Australian warehouses, manufacturing plants, and construction sites relies on sprockets that meet significantly higher safety factors than general conveyor sprockets. Australian Standards AS 1418 (Cranes, Hoists and Winches) and AS/NZS 3000 series define the design requirements for lifting chain drives, requiring sprocket materials, heat treatment, and dimensional accuracy to be documented and certified.

We supply lifting-grade chain sprockets for goods lifts, VRCs, mast climbers, counterweight chain drives, and scissor-lift mechanisms — in C45 carbon steel, 40Cr alloy steel, and EN 14 cast iron, with case hardening options and full material traceability for compliance with AS 1418.

தொழில்நுட்ப விவரக்குறிப்புகள்

அளவுரு Lifting Application Value குறிப்புகள்
Typical Chain Standard ANSI #60 / #80 / ISO 12B / 16B Higher load ratings for lifting
பிட்ச் 19.05–25.4 mm (3/4"–1") Larger pitch for higher load capacity
Drive Tooth Count 11T – 19T Lower tooth count increases torque density
Safety Factor (material) ≥5:1 on SWL AS 1418 minimum
பொருள் 40Cr alloy steel / C45 40Cr for safety-critical applications
பல் கடினத்தன்மை HRC 52–62 Through-hardened alloy or case-hardened C45
Core Toughness Charpy 35–50 J at 0°C Impact-resistant for shock loading
துளை சகிப்புத்தன்மை H7 / H6 High-precision for lifting shaft fit
Hub Type Solid hub / keyed No taper-bush on primary lifting sprockets
Keyway DIN 6885 / custom Double keyway on large lifting sprockets
மேற்பரப்பு Zinc plate / painted Corrosion protection in machine room
ரன் அவுட் (டிஐஆர்) ≤0.05 mm Vibration control for ride comfort
Material Cert. EN 10204 3.1 Mandatory for safety-critical lifting
Hardness Test Vickers HV10 or Rockwell HRC Per AS 1418 requirements
Operating Temperature −20°C to +60°C —
இழை Simplex or Duplex Duplex for increased safety factor
Design Life ≥20 years Commercial goods lift service life
அதிகபட்ச பிட்ச் லைன் சுமை Application-calculated Submit load and safety factor for review
Chain Type Compatibility Roller chain, leaf chain Leaf chain sprockets also available

செயல்திறன் நன்மைகள்

🔐
Safety-Grade Material & Documentation
40Cr alloy steel with EN 10204 3.1 material certificates, Charpy impact test results, and hardness verification meets AS 1418 documentation requirements for certified lifting equipment in Australia.
🔥
Deep Case Hardening for Cyclic Fatigue
2–4 mm case depth with HRC 52–62 surface hardness resists the cyclic fatigue loading characteristic of goods lifts performing 100–500 cycles per day over 20+ year service lives.
📑
Leaf Chain Sprocket Option
We also supply leaf chain (ladder chain) sprockets for counterbalance and lifting chain applications — an alternative to roller chain commonly specified on European goods lifts and mast climbers.
📈
Precision Bore for Safety-Critical Shaft Fit
H6 or H7 bore tolerance ensures the sprocket runs concentrically on the lifting shaft without fretting or micro-movement under cyclic loading — critical for long-term reliability in safety-critical applications.

Working Principle in Chain-Driven Lifting Systems

In a chain-driven goods lift or VRC, the electric motor drives a reduction gearbox connected to the lifting shaft. The drive sprocket is mounted on this shaft and engages the lifting chain, which is attached to the lift car or carriage. As the motor turns, the sprocket draws the chain, raising or lowering the load. The return chain typically runs over an idler or tail sprocket at the top of the mast or shaft. In duplex configurations, two sprockets and two chains provide redundancy to meet AS 1418 safety factor requirements.

Compatibility

Equipment Type பரிந்துரைக்கப்பட்ட ஸ்ப்ராக்கெட் குறிப்புகள்
Goods lift (ANSI #60 chain) ANSI #60 alloy steel sprocket AS 1418 lifting grade
Goods lift (ANSI #80 chain) ANSI #80 heavy-duty sprocket Higher-capacity lifts
VRC (vertical reciprocating conveyor) ANSI #60 / ISO 12B sprocket Often duplex configuration
Mast climber drive chain ANSI #80 / ISO 16B sprocket High cycle rate, heavy load
Counterweight leaf chain Leaf chain sprocket (matching pitch) Specify leaf chain pitch exactly
Scissor-lift chain drive ANSI #50 / ISO 10B sprocket Lower load, compact geometry
Mitsubishi, Alimak, GEDA mast climbers (ref only) Custom sprocket to drawing Brand reference for selection only

Selection Guide for Lifting Sprockets

📞 Consult a Lifting Equipment Engineer Lifting sprockets for goods lifts and VRCs are safety-critical components. Selection must be validated by a qualified lifting equipment engineer against the AS 1418 safety factor requirements for the SWL and cycle rate of the specific installation.
📐 Specify Load, Speed, & Cycle Rate Provide: Safe Working Load (SWL) in kg, lift speed in m/s, daily cycle count, chain pitch and standard, shaft diameter, and required service life. Our engineering team will confirm material, tooth count, and documentation package.
🔬 Material Documentation Required Always specify EN 10204 3.1 material certificates for lifting-grade sprockets. This is a requirement of AS 1418 and is required by most equipment certifiers and building compliance inspectors in Australia.
🔎 Duplex or Simplex? For AS 1418 compliance, most chain-driven goods lifts require a minimum safety factor of 5:1 on the SWL. In many cases this requires duplex chain configuration — two sprockets and two chains. Confirm with your certifying engineer.

Installation for Lifting Applications

  1. Out-of-service isolation: Lock out the motor control panel and fit mechanical brakes to the lifting shaft. Barricade the lift car and install physical stops.
  2. Support the lift car or carriage independently before removing the lifting chain to prevent uncontrolled descent.
  3. Remove lifting chain using an appropriate chain tool. Mark chain segments for correct reinstallation orientation.
  4. Replace sprocket: for large lifting sprockets on heavy shafts, use a hydraulic arbor press. Apply bearing housing heater if H6 fit is specified. Torque all fasteners to specification and record in maintenance log.
  5. Reinstall and tension chain per OEM maintenance manual. For leaf chain, verify anchor pin orientation and safety catches.
  6. Conduct load test per AS 1418 following any replacement of safety-critical lifting components. Document test results.
  7. Return to service: Remove mechanical stops, re-energise motor, verify operation under 10% and 100% rated load. Update maintenance log with sprocket serial number and certificate reference.

Troubleshooting Elevator Sprocket Issues

அறிகுறி Cause Action
Vibration during lift travel Worn sprocket teeth or misalignment Inspect teeth; replace and realign
Chain climbing over sprocket teeth Excessive chain elongation Replace chain at 2% elongation; replace sprocket
Sprocket hub fretting on lifting shaft Bore fit too loose or insufficient key engagement Upgrade bore tolerance; apply retaining compound
Noise in machine room Worn or mismatched chain/sprocket Measure chain pitch; replace matched set
Uneven lift speed Partial tooth wear or chain hang-up Inspect teeth for hook-wear pattern; replace

ஆஸ்திரேலிய வாடிக்கையாளர் வழக்கு ஆய்வுகள்

Mark A. — Sydney, NSW ★★★★★
Lift Engineer, Commercial Building Services · April 2025
“We replaced the drive sprocket on a 10-year-old goods lift using Ever-power’s 40Cr alloy steel ANSI #60 sprocket. Material certificate was provided with the order — exactly what we needed for our AS 1418 compliance documentation. The lift has been running smoothly for 18 months.”
Rachel G. — Melbourne, VIC ★★★★★
Maintenance Manager, Food Distribution Centre · February 2025
“Our VRC (vertical reciprocating conveyor) services 12 pallet movements per hour. The ANSI #80 duplex sprockets from Ever-power have been in service for 2 years with no issues — a significant improvement over the previous supplier whose sprockets showed tooth wear at 6 months.”
Jason T. — Brisbane, QLD ★★★★☆
Project Manager, Mast Climber Hire · March 2025
“Good quality ANSI #80 sprockets with material certificates. Lead time on custom bore specification was 8 days — acceptable for planned maintenance. Would prefer faster turnaround for urgent breakdown requirements but overall very satisfied.”
Nicole P. — Perth, WA ★★★★★
Safety Engineer, Mining Surface Facility · January 2025
“Lifting equipment on a mining site requires full documentation and traceability. Ever-power provided EN 10204 3.1 certs and a dimensional inspection report as standard inclusions. That level of documentation is rare and very appreciated in our industry.”
Ross M. — Adelaide, SA ► What chain type is used on Australian goods lifts — roller chain or leaf chain?
Both are used. Roller chain (ANSI #60, #80, ISO 12B, 16B) is common on VRCs and mast climbers. Leaf chain (ladder chain) is common on counterbalance and European-origin goods lifts. Specify the chain type and pitch and we will supply the correct matching sprocket.
► What safety factor should lifting sprockets be designed to?
AS 1418 specifies a minimum safety factor of 5:1 on the Safe Working Load (SWL) for lifting chain components. The sprocket material and geometry must be validated against this requirement by a qualified lifting equipment engineer. We can provide material load data to assist with this calculation.
► Can I use a standard conveyor sprocket in a lifting application?
No. Standard conveyor sprockets (C45 induction-hardened, no material certificate) do not meet the AS 1418 safety factor requirements or documentation standards for lifting applications. Always specify lifting-grade alloy steel sprockets with full material traceability for chain-driven lifting equipment.
► What is the service life of a lifting-grade sprocket on a goods lift?
Correctly specified and maintained lifting sprockets on goods lifts (100–500 cycles per day) typically achieve 15–25 years of service life with periodic chain replacement. Annual inspection for tooth wear, bore fretting, and keyway condition is recommended under AS 1418.
► Do you supply matched lifting chain and sprocket sets?
Yes. We recommend specifying matched lifting chain and sprocket sets to ensure pitch compatibility and maximise service life. Provide the lift specification (SWL, speed, cycle rate, chain standard) and we will supply a complete drive chain and matched sprocket set with combined certification documentation.
► Can you manufacture a lifting sprocket from a worn sample?
Yes. We offer a reverse-engineering service for lifting sprockets — submit the worn sample, and we will measure, prepare a dimensioned drawing for your approval, and manufacture a certified replacement. This is particularly valuable for older lifts where OEM drawings are no longer available.
► Are leaf chain sprockets available in the same certification standard?
Yes. Leaf chain (ladder chain) sprockets are supplied with the same material certification (EN 10204 3.1) and dimensional documentation as roller chain lifting sprockets. Specify the leaf chain pitch and pin diameter and we will identify the correct mating sprocket.
► What is the correct lubrication for a goods-lift chain drive?
Enclosed chain-drive lubricators (oil bath or automatic drip) supplying ISO VG 100–150 gear oil are recommended for goods-lift applications. The high loads and temperature range in a lift shaft require a higher-viscosity lubricant than standard conveyor chain oil. Check and top-up the lubricator monthly.
► How do I know when to replace a lifting sprocket?
Replace when tooth wear exceeds 15% of original tooth height, when a hook-tooth profile is visible on any tooth, when the bore shows fretting or cracking, or when the adjacent chain fails the 2% elongation replacement criterion. Annual inspection by a certified lifting equipment engineer is required under AS 1418.

தொடர்புடைய தயாரிப்புகள்: பரிமாற்றச் சங்கிலிகள்

Transmission Roller Chain

⛓️ இணக்கமான பரிமாற்ற சங்கிலிகள்

We also manufacture and supply the complete range of ரோலர் டிரான்ஸ்மிஷன் சங்கிலிகள் to pair with every sprocket in our catalogue — ANSI, ISO, double-pitch, stainless, and special-purpose chains for all industrial applications.

View Transmission Chains →

Standards & Certifications

All Ever-power Australia sprockets are manufactured and tested to the following international standards:

✓ ஐஎஸ்ஓ 9001:2015✓ ANSI B29.1✓ ISO 606 / DIN 8187✓ JIS B 1801✓ பிஎஸ் தரநிலைகள்✓ GB Standards

தர உறுதிப்பாடு: 100% dimensional inspection, hardness verification, and batch traceability on every production run. Material test certificates (EN 10204 2.2) available on request.

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We are a vertically integrated sprocket manufacturer with 25+ years of chain drive expertise. Our 35,000 m² facility produces 4 million+ sprockets per year to GB, ISO, ANSI, JIS, DIN and BS standards. We supply OEM partners, distributors, and direct industrial buyers across Australia with ISO 9001 certified quality on every order. Learn about our manufacturing capability →

ISO 9001 Certified
4M+ pcs/year
OEM திறன் கொண்டது
AU Stock Available

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