Conveyor Chain and Belt Replacement Parts

Plastic, steel, cleated, friction, flapper and other chain types for the FlexLink and similar X-series sizes of modular plastic belt — stocked, and custom fixtured to your product when standard will not do.

Chain wears. It is not usually the first thing to go, but it is a wear part, and it wears differently in every application. The question is not usually whether you will replace it, but whether the replacement is on your shelf when you need it.

Flex-Line stocks conveyor chain and modular belt, and has been supplying it since 1984.

Chain and Belt We Supply

• Flexible plastic chain — the standard for light and medium product handling across the X-series conveyor sizes
• Steel chain — where load, temperature or abrasion rules out plastic
• Modular plastic belt — for wider product, bulk handling, and applications needing a continuous surface
• Cleated, gripper and specialty chain — for incline, decline, and controlled-orientation transport
• Custom fixtured chain — fixtured to hold your product

Which Chain Do I Need?

Chain is matched to the conveyor series, not chosen freely. The chain, the beam, and the wear strip form one system, and mixing generations causes problems.

One example worth knowing: spare parts for the XL and X65 series are not interchangeable. X65 kept the same 63 mm chain width as the earlier XL series but changed enough underneath that parts do not cross over. Plants running both generations side by side risk ordering the wrong one. The same applies to XM and X85, which share an 83 mm width but do not share parts. If you are not certain which you have, send a photo before you order.

If you have the conveyor series, we can match the chain. If you do not, describe the line or send a picture and we will work it out for you.

Custom Fixtured Chain

Standard chain moves product that is content to sit on a flat surface. A great deal of product is not.

Flex-Line carries a wide range of standard chain options and customizes fixtured chain to hold a specific part geometry: round parts that would otherwise roll, machined components that must stay in a set orientation through an inspection station, containers that need to arrive at a filler positioned exactly one way, and delicate parts that need a topper designed to protect their surface. We have fixtured chain for bearings, gear wheels, piston parts, aerosol cans, bottles, and a long list of things that do not appear in any catalog.

Need mink brushes on your chain? We have done that too.

Send us the part, or a drawing of it, and tell us what the line needs to do with it.

When to Replace Conveyor Chain

Chain replacement is usually triggered by visible link wear or breakage, chain sticking or struggling through the refeed guides, grabbing through bends, or noise that was not there last quarter.

Chain usually only wears once your wear strip is worn, so if your chain is starting to wear you should be inspecting the wear strips and guide kits underneath it. Installing new chain onto worn slide rail shortens the life of the new chain and damages your aluminum extrusion.

For lines where downtime is expensive, ask us for a stocking recommendation. We will tell you what is worth keeping on the shelf for your system, and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which conveyor chain I need?

Chain is matched to the conveyor series. If you know the series, Flex-Line can match the chain directly. If you do not, send a photograph of the chain and the conveyor and Flex-Line's team can usually identify it.

Are XL and X65 conveyor chain parts interchangeable?

No. Although X65 kept the same 63 mm chain width as the earlier XL series, spare parts for the two are not interchangeable. Confirm which series you have before ordering.

Are XM and X85 conveyor chain parts interchangeable?

No. Although X85 kept the same 83 mm chain width as the earlier XM series, spare parts for the two are not interchangeable. Confirm which series you have before ordering.

Does Flex-Line make custom conveyor chain?

Yes. Flex-Line builds custom fixtured chain designed for a specific application or to hold specific product geometry, including round parts, machined components, and containers that must maintain a set orientation.

How often does conveyor chain need to be replaced?

It depends on load, speed, environment and duty cycle. Common indicators are chain elongation, visible link wear, grabbing or chattering through bends, and new noise. Chain and wear strip wear together and are usually inspected at the same time.

Can I order conveyor chain without a part number?

Yes. Send a photograph and the conveyor series if known. Flex-Line has supplied these components since 1984 and can typically identify chain from an image.