Chain Conveyor

This enclosed structure helps support cleaner product transfer, reduces product loss and allows the conveying line to work as part of a continuous production process.

Chain Conveyorsin Horizontal Transfer Lines

Chain conveyors are widely used where bulk materials need to move horizontally across a plant. In many feed and grain facilities, they are installed between storage areas, production machines, silos and loading points.

A chain conveyor can be used for:

• Raw material intake transfer
• Silo filling lines
• Silo discharge systems
• Process transfer between machines
• Grain and feed handling
• Pellet transfer lines
• Horizontal transfer below or above storage bins

The system works by dragging the product along the conveyor body with scraper flights attached to the chain. This makes it suitable for controlled and continuous transfer of free-flowing bulk materials.

For feed mills and grain plants, this type of conveyor is often preferred because it combines enclosed transfer, durable construction and efficient material movement in one system.

Silo Filling, Silo Discharge and Process Transfer

Chain conveyors are used in different parts of a production or storage facility. The correct configuration depends on the product, required capacity, conveying distance, inlet and outlet positions and overall plant layout.

Chain Conveyor for Silo Filling

In silo filling applications, chain conveyors transfer grain, feed ingredients or similar bulk products towards silo inlet points. They can be used in horizontal or low-incline lines where the product needs to move steadily before entering storage.

A properly designed silo filling conveyor helps maintain a controlled product flow and supports efficient storage operation.

Chain Conveyor for Silo Discharge

Chain conveyors are also used under silos or storage bins to move discharged material towards the next process stage. In these applications, the conveyor should be selected according to the product flow, outlet arrangement and required feeding rate.

A well-designed silo discharge conveyor helps reduce irregular flow, product accumulation and unnecessary stoppages in the line.

Chain Conveyor for Process Transfer

In feed mills, grain processing plants and pulse processing facilities, chain conveyors can be used between cleaning, conditioning, grinding, mixing, pelleting, cooling and packaging sections.

They are suitable for transferring bulk products such as corn, wheat, soybean meal, feed meal and pellets when the line requires enclosed and controlled movement.

Redler Conveyor and Chain Conveyor: What Is the Difference?

The term Redler conveyor is often used in the industry for chain conveyor systems that move bulk material with scraper flights attached to a chain. In many feed mill and grain handling applications, “chain conveyor”, “drag chain conveyor”, “scraper chain conveyor” and “Redler conveyor” are used for similar conveying principles.

A Redler-type chain conveyor is especially common in:

• Feed mills
• Grain storage facilities
• Silo transfer lines
• Pellet production lines
• Agricultural processing plants
• Food and bulk material handling facilities

Because the material moves inside a closed casing, Redler-type chain conveyors can help reduce dust spread and product loss compared with open conveying systems.

Chain Conveyor Applications for Grain, Feed and Pellets

Chain conveyors are suitable for a wide range of bulk materials used in feed and grain industries.

Common application areas include:

• Grain transfer such as wheat, barley, corn and soybean
• Feed ingredient transfer
• Meal and powder transfer
• Pellet feed conveying
• Silo filling and discharge
• Process transfer in feed mills
• Horizontal transfer in storage and production lines

The final conveyor design should be reviewed according to the product’s density, flow behaviour, abrasiveness, moisture level and breakage sensitivity.

For pellets and more sensitive products, scraper design, conveyor speed and discharge points should be evaluated carefully to support controlled transfer.

Chain Conveyor vs Belt Conveyor

Chain conveyors and belt conveyors are both used for bulk material transfer, but they are not selected for the same working conditions.

A chain conveyor is generally preferred for enclosed horizontal transfer, silo systems, feed mill process lines and applications where durable construction is required. It moves the product through a closed body with the help of chain-driven scraper flights.

A belt conveyor carries the product on a moving belt and is often preferred for longer open transfer lines, loading applications or products that require gentler handling.

For dusty bulk materials, silo discharge and enclosed process transfer, a chain conveyor is often a practical choice. For more fragile products or long-distance open conveying, a belt conveyor may be more suitable depending on the process.

Chain Conveyor vs Screw Conveyor

Chain conveyors and screw conveyors are both used in feed mills and bulk material handling lines, but their working principles and best-use cases are different.

A chain conveyor is generally preferred for longer horizontal transfer, silo filling, silo discharge and higher-capacity enclosed conveying lines. It is suitable where the material needs to move through a closed channel with multiple inlet or discharge points.

A screw conveyor is more commonly used for short-distance transfer, controlled feeding or dosing applications. It moves material with a rotating screw flight inside a U-type trough or tubular body.

The right choice depends on product type, required capacity, conveying distance, feeding method and plant layout. In many feed mill projects, both systems can be used in different parts of the same production line.

Capacity-Based Chain Conveyor Design

A chain conveyor should not be selected only by its length or body size. Capacity and line performance depend on several project-specific factors.

Important design criteria include:

• Product type
• Bulk density
• Required hourly capacity
• Conveying distance
• Number of inlet and outlet points
• Conveyor speed
• Chain and scraper design
• Body width and height
• Drive system selection
• Dust and sealing requirements
• Maintenance access

If the conveyor is not selected correctly, the line may experience capacity loss, product accumulation, excessive wear, higher energy consumption or irregular flow.

For this reason, the conveyor should be designed together with the full process flow, not as a standalone machine.

Kardev Chain Conveyor Solutions

Kardev manufactures chain conveyor systems for feed mills, grain storage facilities, silo transfer lines and industrial bulk material handling applications.

Kardev chain conveyor solutions can be designed for:

• Enclosed horizontal conveying
• Silo filling and discharge
• Grain and feed transfer
• Pellet and meal handling
• Process transfer between machines
• Redler conveyor applications
• Project-specific inlet and outlet layouts

The system can be configured according to the material type, required capacity, plant layout and operating conditions. Body structure, scraper design, chain selection, drive arrangement and discharge points are evaluated according to the needs of the production line.

For feed mills and silo systems, even small layout details can affect material flow. Kardev can review the product type, transfer route and plant layout before recommending the most suitable chain conveyor configuration.

Project-Specific Chain Conveyor Design

Every plant has different conveying requirements. A chain conveyor used for silo discharge may not require the same design as a conveyor used for process transfer or grain intake.

During project evaluation, the following details should be considered:

• Product type and bulk density
• Required conveying capacity
• Horizontal conveying distance
• Inlet and outlet positions
• Number of discharge points
• Product flow behaviour
• Abrasiveness and dust level
• Installation area
• Maintenance and cleaning access
• Connection with silos, bins, elevators and production equipment

By reviewing these details correctly, the chain conveyor can be designed to support stable product flow, easier maintenance and more reliable plant operation.

FAQ

What is a chain conveyor used for?

A chain conveyor is used for enclosed horizontal or slightly inclined transfer of bulk materials. In feed mills and grain facilities, it is commonly used for raw material transfer, silo filling, silo discharge and process transfer between machines.

Which products can be carried with a chain conveyor?

Chain conveyors can carry grain, feed ingredients, meal, pellets and similar bulk materials. The final design should be selected according to the product’s density, flow behaviour, abrasiveness, moisture level and required capacity.

What is the difference between a chain conveyor and a Redler conveyor?

A Redler conveyor is a type of chain conveyor that moves bulk materials with scraper flights attached to a moving chain. In many feed mill and grain handling applications, the terms chain conveyor, drag chain conveyor, scraper chain conveyor and Redler conveyor are used for similar enclosed conveying systems.

What is the difference between a chain conveyor and a belt conveyor?

A chain conveyor moves the product inside a closed casing with chain-driven scraper flights. A belt conveyor carries the product on a moving belt. Chain conveyors are commonly used for enclosed process transfer and silo systems, while belt conveyors may be preferred for longer or gentler open conveying applications.

What is the difference between a chain conveyor and a screw conveyor?

A chain conveyor is generally used for longer horizontal transfer and enclosed bulk material movement. A screw conveyor is more suitable for short-distance transfer, feeding or dosing applications. The right choice depends on the product, capacity, distance and process layout.

Can a chain conveyor be used for silo discharge?

Yes. Chain conveyors can be used under silos or storage bins to move discharged material towards the next process stage. The conveyor should be designed according to the outlet arrangement, product flow and required feeding rate.

How is chain conveyor capacity determined?

Capacity depends on the product type, bulk density, conveyor body size, chain speed, scraper design, filling rate, conveying distance and drive system selection. The required hourly capacity of the plant should also be considered.

Can Kardev manufacture project-specific chain conveyors?

Yes. Kardev can design and manufacture chain conveyor systems according to the product type, capacity requirement, conveying distance, inlet-outlet layout and process needs of the facility.

Get a Project-Specific Chain Conveyor Quotation

Share your product type, required capacity, conveying distance, inlet-outlet layout and plant plan with Kardev to receive a project-specific chain conveyor recommendation and quotation.