4. Lifting

4.1 Working modes

Lifting chains are used to hoist or support a load, and to exert tensile force. Traditional applications include lifting forks on fork-lift trucks, suspending counterweights, maneuvering dam gates or transmitting traction force on drawing benches.

These examples show that lifting chains differ from conveyor chains in that they generally :

• movements have little or no amplitude and/or speed;

• movements are not continuous but intermittent, with periods ranging from a few seconds to several months, and have an outward and a return phase;

• the chain can be continuously under load;

• power is transmitted...