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Lift Chain stretching

Number of messages: 11

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duodeluxe
New Hampshire, United States

We have run into this situation a lot lately:
The lift chain is stretched and the chain anchors have no adjustment left. We buy a new chain and cut it to the same # of links as the original chain, install it and again the chain anchors are bottomed out with no adjustment left. The only way to leave some adjustment in the anchors is to shorten the chain. The problem with doing that is now the mast and cylinder sequencing may be incorrect and the chain could break.
Obviously, we have to assume that the trucks have the original chains in them and that there was plenty of adjustment in the anchors when the truck was new.
Can someone please explain.

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gitrucks@adelphia.net

Posted 20 May 2009 00:59 AM

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andrew_k
England, United Kingdom

How worn are the tyres?

Posted 20 May 2009 01:52 AM

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duodeluxe
New Hampshire, United States

Not very.
In cases where the tires were worn significantly we jacked up the truck to make up for the difference in tire wear and still the chains were loose.

-------------------------
gitrucks@adelphia.net

Posted 20 May 2009 01:54 AM

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andrew_k
England, United Kingdom

are the bearings collapsed/worn on the chain roller. What size truck are we talking about?

Modified 20 May 2009 02:08 AM
by poster.

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dozer
Ontario, Canada

if you shorten the chain don't just worrry about the chain breaking, keep an eye on the carriage stops. They should not touch when the carriage is all the way up. It's fun when the carriage falls out the top of the mast in front a major building box store.

-------------------------
When in doubt replace the operator

Posted 20 May 2009 03:10 AM

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johnr_j
Georgia, United States

duodeluxe
Many times the chain link pins are worn which gives a similar effect as chain stretch.  Chain strech was very common with roller type chain links and the invidual links could be replaced.  With todays leaf type design actual stretch is minimal but the pins wear as dirst and grit gets trapped in around the pin.  The situation is accelerated when someone applies grease to the chains (more dirt gets trapped in much faster).

If you check the maintenance/service manual for the trucks or with the manufactuer you will find:

1.  They never reccomend lubricating the chains.
2.  They do recomment that the chains be cleaned with a solvents (many companies offer a chain solvent through the aftermarket parts program) especially in brick, block, concrete, fertilizer, briney , etc operations.
3.  Never replace a link or just a few links of the chain - replace the entire chain - liability issues here for sure.
4.  If a chain is "stretched" beyond a given dimension depending on the truck capacity a chain needs replacement

Possibly the OEM chains have been replaced by one of a lesser than recommended quality (lower grade steel).

I do a bit of wood working and have found that some of the wood screw of the same size that come from a large overseas country and are sold at the big box stores have a very much higher frequency of breaking when tightening than those I know were produced here in the US.  Yep, they were a little cheaper.  Just making anology to what might be going on in your situation.

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Have An Exceptional Day!

Posted 20 May 2009 04:28 AM

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kevin_k
dumfriesshire, United Kingdom

is it a 3 stage mast with full freelift . is the outer chains adjusted correctly . the chain anchors can stretch too

Posted 20 May 2009 05:11 AM

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duodeluxe
New Hampshire, United States

John;
I agree with you that leaf chain doesn't stretch or wear much. So if that is the case these trucks must be shipped from the factory with maybe 3/4" maximum adjustment on the chain anchors. That does not make sense.
I would think that a technician that noticed that there is no adjustment left on the chain anchors would assume that the chains are no good. So when you replace them and have the same issue what would you say to the customer.
And no I do not believe that a chain anchor would stretch.

-------------------------
gitrucks@adelphia.net

Posted 20 May 2009 06:08 AM

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uplift
lincoln, United Kingdom

Can the lift jacks be adjusted?/shimmed?

-------------------------
upliftuk@gmail*com (*=.)

Posted 20 May 2009 07:48 AM

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johnr_j
Georgia, United States

duodeluxe,
With a little more information now provided I would suggest you might investigate the following:

1. Were the chain ancors welded in the proper position?
2. Contact the manufacturer or their representative to see see what they have to say about this issue. It seems you have run into the same situation more than once & assume with the same brand, if so other dealers prbably have encountered the same.

-------------------------
Have An Exceptional Day!

Posted 21 May 2009 11:10 AM

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fred_d
Georgia, United States

John are you serious? Dont lube the chains????? Every manual and maint shedule I have read tells you to clean and lube lifting chains.

Posted 18 Sep 2009 10:21 AM

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