PAGE 1 OF 4

EC011872
DRAWN: July 26, 2004

Customer Technical Bulletin No. 129

CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
1.

Roll the crankshaft to the tightest position of the chain. This prevents snugging
up on the chain at a slack position and breaking rollers, or ruining the pump and
lubricator bearings when the chain goes through its tightest position.

2.

Measure the length of the longest most easily accessible span with a tape measure (sprocket center to center), where the deflection will be gauged. Determine
the allowable deflection limits defined by the shaded areas in Figure 2: or Figure
3:, for the measured span (3 to 5% of the span).

3.

Measure chain deflection from a straight edge held on the chain rollers where it
wraps over the two sprockets of the span. Use a machinists scale with 0.01 inch
or (0.5 mm) increments to measure the deflection distance from the straight
edge to a chain roller at the center of the span. Apply a force of 2 to 10 lb (9 to
45 N) finger pressure to take the slack out of the chain. Do not apply excessive
force since a force feed lube box drive shaft can bend and provide an inaccurate
deflection measurement. Finger pressure is adequate.

4.

If adjustment is required, remove the capscrews and plastic plugs from the
eccentric cap. Rotate the cap clockwise, facing cap from outside, to line up the
first two new capscrew holes. If this makes the chain too tight, try turning the cap
around in a counterclockwise direction for a different hole lineup.

5.

Replace and tighten the two capscrews hand wrench tight.

6.

Roll the crankshaft to check the tightness in a number of positions. At its tightest
position, the chain is to be adjusted so that the deflection is within the shaded
graph limits in the figures. Replace the plastic caps to keep the holes clean.

PAGE 2 OF 4
EC011872
DRAWN: July 26, 2004

Customer Technical Bulletin No. 129

2 to 10 lb (9 to
45 N) Finger
Pressure
Force

Machinists
Scale

Straight Edge

Span Length

FIGURE 0: C HAIN D EFLECTION M EASUREMENT - TYPICAL

PAGE 3 OF 4
EC011872
DRAWN: July 26, 2004

Customer Technical Bulletin No. 129

1.00
0.90
0.80
Deflection, Inches

0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
2

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Length of Measured Span, Inches

FIGURE 1: A LLOWABLE CHAIN D EF LECT ION , I NCHES

26
24
22
20
18
16
Deflection, (mm )

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
40

70

100

130

160

190

220

250

280

310

340

370

400

430

Length of Measured Span, (mm)

F IGURE 2: A LLOWABLE C HAIN D EFLECTION, (M ILLIMETERS )

460

PAGE 4 OF 4
EC011872
DRAWN: July 26, 2004

Customer Technical Bulletin No. 129

Ariel Telephone, Fax, E-Mail and Web Site Numbers

CONTACT

TELEPHONE

FAX

EMAIL

Ariel Response Center

888-397-7766
(toll free USA & Canada) or
740-397-3602 (International)

740-397-1060

arc@arielcorp.com

740-393-5054

spareparts@arielcorp.com

740-397-6450

---

740-397-0311

740-397-3856

Spare Parts
Order Entry
Ariel World Headquarters
Technical Field Service

info@arielcorp.com
fieldservice@arielcorp.com

Web Site: www.arielcorp.com

Ariel Response Center Technicians or Switchboard Operators will answer telephones

during Ariel business hours, Eastern Time - USA or after hours by voice mail.
The after Hours Telephone Emergency System works as follows:
1.

Follow automated instructions to Field Service Emergency Technical Assistance

or Spare Parts Emergency Service.

2.

Calls are answered by voice mail.

3.

Leave Message: callers name, telephone number, serial number of equipment in

question (frame, cylinder, unloader) and brief description of emergency.

4.

Your voice message is routed to an on-call representative, who will respond as

soon as possible.

Users are to contact an Authorized Distributor for purchase of Ariel parts.