Drives

Stationary caterpillar drives, positioned on a straight track at a high point in the conveyor system, are designed to pull, not push, the power chain, with attachment components on the main drive frame and require an external overload protection device like a shear pin hub. In contrast, floating caterpillar drives use a system of rollers in an enclosed frame, offering the advantage of limit switches for overload protection, thus eliminating the need for shear pin replacements. Both stationary and floating caterpillar drives are available with the same capacity and ratings.

A sprocket drive, equipped with a sprocket and integral shear pin hub, drives the power chain in an overhead conveyor system and requires at least a 90-degree chain wrap, though 180-degree wraps are common. Mounted on a welded steel frame at the system's high point, like the caterpillar drive, it pulls the rivet-less power chain. Constant speed drives offer a straightforward, cost-effective solution for a single-speed requirement, while variable speed drives, with a 3:1 ratio, cater to systems needing speed adjustments.

Wherever the length of or loading on the system results in chain pull greater than the capacity of the chain and drive, multiple drives may be required. Floating caterpillar drives should be used for multiple drive installations to eliminate successive shear pin breakage in the event one drive is overloaded. For recommendations for multiple drive variable speed systems, please contact the Rapid Industries Engineering Department.