Steel idler sprockets maintain proper chain pressure, and guide the chain around obstacles and stop excessive chain put on and vibration. You don’t need any special tightener shafts for ball bearing idler sprockets. Composite sprocket idlers require no lubrication and are corrosion resistant and wear-resistant.

An idler sprocket is a device used to maintain the tension in a chain or chain drive system. Often consisting of only a sprocket mounted on a spring tensioned arm, the idler sprocket pulls against the chain in a continuous manner to keep carefully the chain tight at all times. How big is the sprocket found in an idler sprocket assembly has no effect on the functionality of the chain drive; however; a larger sprocket will often go longer because of the slower rate of the sprocket, which saves wear on the sprocket’s bearings. Maintenance for the idler assembly is commonly no more than an occasional greasing of the sprocket’s bearings.

When traveling a machine simply by chain, the tension of the chain should be held at a constant in order to avoid the chain coming from the drive sprockets. By installing an idler sprocket in the drive system, the chain is held taut without being over-tightened. Working a chain in an over-limited condition can lead to premature bearing and chain failing while an idler sprocket placed in the program is usually a way to significantly extend the life span of the chain, sprockets and the bearings on the machine’s sprocket shafts.

The ideal installation of the idler sprocket is on the opposite side of the chain between the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. The application should place the idler sprocket ready that has the sprocket pushing or pulling the chain towards itself as it loops the two principal sprockets in a shape similar to the letter B. This design will allow the pulleys to pull the chain hard without hindering the idler in any way as the drive chain passes over the sprocket. If a condition occurs which requires the drive to exert extra strain on the drive chain, the idler will flex against the chain, allowing it to expand while leftover in touch with the drive sprockets.

While the vast majority of idler sprockets are manufactured of steel, many components are used to produce an idler sprocket. Many poly or composite sprockets have been used in combination with great success and some wooden sprockets have also been applied to some machinery without concern. Many machines, so that they can reduce the put on on the drive chain, use an aluminum, cast iron or steel sprocket coated in a nylon material. The metallic hub enables the idler sprocket to remain very strong while the nylon covering is usually soft on the chain links.