Galle chain uses two spaced strands of stacked plates joined by cross-pins. The exposed pin sections between the strands can engage a toothed wheel. This differs from leaf chain, whose plates fill the width between the pin ends. Explore the articulation and compare entered dimensions and tensile loads below.
Block Chain (Galle Chain) Drive Interactive Calculator
Inspect the paired plate stacks and exposed cross-pins as the joints articulate. Compare tensile strength with a chosen factor and load, estimate equal load sharing, and calculate a ten-pitch length. These comparisons are not a manufacturer working-load rating.
Equation Used
- The chain section is shown at a normalized size; the pitch dimension and ten-pitch output use the entered millimetres.
- Joint articulation is prescribed to reveal construction, not calculated from the load. Rigid plates retain constant pin spacing.
- The illustration shows representative plate stacks, not a production lacing schedule derived from the number of shear planes.
- Zero applied load is reported as Unloaded rather than a zero strength ratio.
Explore the Galle chain arrangement illustrated in Renold Figure 39. Compare dimensions and tensile quantities using the five controls; chain pitch determines the calculated length. These comparisons do not select a forklift chain or predict its service life.
Plate stacks, cross-pins and articulation
Each link has two spaced plate stacks. Pins connect adjoining links and leave an exposed section between the two strands. A toothed wheel can engage that exposed section. Unlike a roller chain, this construction has no freely rotating roller over the engagement pin.
The illustration separates the front and rear plate stacks in an oblique view. Links bend only at their pin joints and keep a constant pitch. The animated bend is an illustrative motion, not a simulation of chain tension or an entire drive.
Engineering reference
Renold, Conveyor Chain Installation, Maintenance and Designer Guide, page44, Galle Chain and Figure39. Figure 39 shows the two spaced plate strands and the exposed cross-pins that provide engagement with a toothed wheel.
Where Galle chain is used
Renold describes Galle chain for very slow lifting duties, including large sluice gates, and describes draw-bench chain as a related construction. Dimensions and plate combinations depend on the application. Leaf-chain forklift examples are a different construction and are not used to specify this Galle chain.
What the load comparisons mean
Dividing entered ultimate tensile strength by a selected factor gives a comparison reference. It does not establish an approved working load. Fatigue, wear, pin bearing, attachments and the duty cycle still require the actual chain specification.
The mean force per assumed shear plane is F/n. This is force, not stress: no pin diameter has been entered. The pitch input is the centre-to-centre distance between consecutive pins. Ten straight pitches have length 10p.
Arithmetic example
At 325 kN ultimate strength and selected factor 5, the reference is 65 kN. An applied load of 65 kN is 100% of that reference and gives a strength-to-load ratio of 5. Assuming four equally loaded shear planes gives 16.25 kN per plane. A 38.1 mm pitch gives a ten-pitch length of 381 mm.
These results describe the entered numbers. They do not approve a chain, lifting device or an overload condition.
Galle chain versus leaf and roller chain
Galle chain leaves an engagement gap between its plate strands. Leaf chain interleaves plates across the pin width and is normally used with sheaves rather than sprocket teeth. Roller chain adds rollers at the engagement points. These distinctions matter when identifying a mechanism from a drawing.
The particular chain and wheel must be specified together. This calculator does not assign a universal speed, retirement limit, lifespan or load rating from pitch alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can Galle chain engage a toothed wheel?
Yes. The exposed cross-pins between its spaced plate strands provide the engagement surface.
Does the selected factor certify a working load?
No. It produces a strength-based comparison only.
Why does pitch change length but not the load calculation?
Pitch defines spacing. Ultimate strength is entered independently; there is no assumed strength-versus-pitch catalogue rule.
Does the animation show elastic bending?
No. Each plate stays rigid and adjoining links articulate about the pins.
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