Conveyor Chains for Sawmills, Palm Oil Mills and Packaging Lines: Wear Parts and Replacement from Germany

In sawmills, palm oil mills and packaging plants the conveyor chain is a wear part. It runs every day, carries heavy or sticky material, and works in dust, moisture or washdown conditions. Planning chain replacement before the line stops is cheaper than an unplanned shutdown. This page describes what matters in each of these industries and which data we need to quote a replacement chain from Germany.

VBN Vertriebs GmbH supplies original AUFT conveyor chains, roller chains, special chains and sprockets from Offenburg, Germany. AUFT builds chains to customer specification, including attachments, carriers and special plates.

Sawmills and timber processing

Log decks, infeed and transfer conveyors, sorting and stacking lines and chip and sawdust removal all use chain conveyors. Typical demands on the chain:

Impact loads when logs or boards are dropped on the chain
Wet timber, bark, resin and fine dust that settle in the joints
Carriers or flights that must stay in position under load
Long strands where chain elongation quickly causes uneven running

Timber and woodworking producers in markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil and Thailand run chain conveyors of this kind. See also our woodworking industry page.

Palm oil mills

Malaysia and Indonesia process very large volumes of fresh fruit bunches. Chain conveyors and scraper conveyors are used for fruit reception, sterilizer cage handling, thresher discharge, empty bunch removal and fibre and shell transport. The conditions are tough for any chain:

High humidity, steam and fatty, acidic residues that cause corrosion
Sticky material that builds up in joints and on sprockets
Heavy loads and continuous operation during the season
Limited maintenance windows, so spare chains must be available

When you ask for a quote, describe the conveyor function, the medium and the temperature. We check material, finish and suitability with the manufacturer before we quote.

Packaging and food lines

Packaging lines use lighter chains, but they demand precise pitch, smooth running and low noise. In food and beverage plants the chain must also cope with frequent cleaning and with washdown, so the material and surface finish matter. Please tell us if the chain has food contact, which cleaning agents are used and whether stainless steel is required. See our pages for the packaging industry and the food industry.

What to specify for each application

Pitch, chain type and main dimensions (see our guide on how to order a replacement conveyor chain)
Attachments, carriers or flights and their position on the chain
Material and finish: carbon steel, stainless steel or surface-treated
Environment: wet, dusty, abrasive, corrosive, food contact, temperature
Strand length, number of strands and speed
Sprocket condition and tooth count

Keep spares for the season

Plan replacement around planned shutdowns, mill cleaning periods or low-season weeks. Measure chain elongation regularly, as described in our guide on bushed and roller chains and when to replace them, and order the next chain before the limit is reached. For critical conveyors keep a spare chain length, connecting links and the most worn attachments in stock.

Delivery from Germany

We ship from Offenburg, Germany by air or sea freight to industrial customers in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. Production time for custom chains and transport time depend on the specification and destination, and we confirm both with the quote.

Frequently asked questions

Can you supply chains for palm oil mill conveyors?

Send us the conveyor function, the chain data and the operating conditions. We check suitability, material and finish with the manufacturer and quote accordingly.

Do you supply chains with carriers or flights?

Yes. AUFT manufactures chains with attachments, carriers and special plates to customer specification. A drawing or a photo with measurements is needed.

How often should a conveyor chain in a sawmill be checked?

Inspect at fixed intervals and measure elongation regularly. In dusty or wet environments check more often and keep the chain path clean and lubricated.

Can I order only the chain, without sprockets?

Yes, but check the sprockets at every chain change. We can quote sprockets together with the chain.

For belts, drives, sensors and safety devices for the whole line, see our overview of conveyor belt components and spare parts from Germany.

Request a quote — 24h response. Send us a drawing, a photo of the chain with a ruler, or your chain data, and we will come back with price, lead time and country of origin.