Choosing the right transport chain is essential when moving goods from one place to another. It is widely used by the logistics, transport, and packers & movers industries for swift, reliable, and efficient transportation of goods. Whether you are at a construction site or in the transportation department, having the right transport chain can significantly improve your operations. Having said that, there is a wide range of options available for transport chains available in the market, thus making a choice is difficult. In this post, we will discuss the tips that will guide you in making a wise decision.

What is a Transport Chain? 

A transport chain comes along with a hook, which is used to lift the heavy equipment. The hook attached to the chain grabs the load and moves it to the desired location. The high-quality transport chains are made from alloy steel and can withstand heavy loads without wear and tear.

How to Get the Best Transport Chain?

These are some of the tips that will select the best transport chain.

• Understanding the Load Requirements:

Before selecting the transport chain, it is essential to consider the requirements like the amount of load you will lift and the surrounding environmental conditions. It will help you determine the strength and size of the chain you need.  The transport chain is rated based on the maximum capacity of load they can lift. So, choose the chain that can lift load more than the heaviest load that you plan on lifting.  Go for the chain that has a load lifting capacity of 20%-30% more than your expected load, so this way you will be ready for unseen circumstances as well.

• Choose the Right Material:

The transport chains are made from different materials and each of them has unique features, strengths, corrosion resistance, and durability. So, it is important to make a well-informed decision so that your requirements are met. 

Steel Chains: When it comes to heavy-duty tasks, steel chains are the best ones. They have the best strength, resistance, and durability.  The steel transport chain can easily lift heavy loads in harsh environmental conditions. 

Alloy Steel Chains: It is an enhanced form of steel that consists of manganese, nickel, and chromium. They are resistant to wear & tear and can easily lift heavy loads.

Stainless Steel Chains: For places that have huge amounts of moisture in the air like marine or food processing industries, stainless steel chains are best. They are corrosion and rust-proof. They are also expensive as compared to other transport chains.

The material for the transport chain that you choose will directly impact your operations as well as the machinery’s maintenance requirements. The steel chain and alloy steel chain are best for industrial settings whereas the stainless steel transport chain is best for lifting loads around more humid areas.

• Inspect the Hook Design:

The hooks attached to the transport chain play an important role in the lifting process. They must be strong, reliable, and must be able to securely hold the load so there is no slip-up or malfunction. While evaluating the hook for the chain, keep these in mind. There are 3 kinds of hooks grab hook, clevis hook, and self-locking hook. 

The grab hook has a ‘grabbing’ mechanism that allows the chain to secure the load in the hook without slipping. It hook is ideal in cases where there is constant tension & movement, this hook provides security.

The clevis hook has a pin-and-clevis design that allows easy attachment and detachment of the load. They are ideal for places where the load needs to be frequently added or removed. It is mostly used in construction sites for quick loading and unloading of loads.

Lastly, the self-locking hook as the name suggests automatically secures the load when it is placed under tension. The self-locking features provide additional safety for heavy or uneven-shaped loads.

Whichever hook you decide to invest in, make sure that it is large enough to securely fit and lift the load. If the hook is small, there are chances of slip-ups. On the other hand, the design of the hook should be robust and precise to evenly distribute the weight. A poorly designed hook will put the entire pressure on a single area and can malfunction.

• Safety Standards:

Safety is of utmost priority when lifting heavy loads. Even a little bit of negligence can cause accidents or mishaps. Therefore it is ensured that the manufacturer you are getting the transport chain from is following all the safety protocols. This is the key certification that you should look for is ‘ISO 9001’. This certificate ensures that the manufacturer follows quality management practices and that the chain has undergone rigorous testing.

• Weight & Portability:

 Apart from the quality and strength of the transport chain, it is also important to consider its weight and portability. If you need to move around the chain to different locations after the industry, then go for a lightweight one. So consider the working conditions and the ease of handling as an important factor before choosing the transport chain.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right transport chain requires careful consideration of the factors mentioned above. Hopefully, this post will help you evaluate all the pros and cons carefully and choose the best transport chain that meets your needs. If you too are looking for reliable, safe, and efficient load-lifting equipment then ‘Lifton Chains and Tackles Pvt. Ltd’ are the one. They have a proven track- record of high- performance and durability. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• What is the function of a transport chain?

A transport chain has a hook that lifts the load and securely places it in another location. They are used in construction industries, shipping, packing & moving, and heavy machinery industries for swift operations.

• Which grade of the chain is suitable for lifting?

Grade 80 or 100 chains are suitable for overhead lifting.

• How to inspect a transport chain?

Before use, inspect the chain, attachment points, rust, or any visible sign of wear & tear.

• Which kind of chain is unsafe for lifting loads?

The split-link and iron chains should be used for securing loads as they are less reliable and prone to stress and wear-tear.