Description
What Makes the LL12 Series Leaf Chain Different?
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The LL12 Series is a plate-link (leaf) chain manufactured to DIN/ISO standards, designed specifically for vertical load-bearing in forklift trucks, scissor lifts, reach stackers, and industrial hoist assemblies. Unlike roller chains, leaf chains carry purely tensile loads — there are no sprockets, just sheaves and anchor pins — which means every dimension, every surface finish, and every heat-treatment parameter feeds directly into the load capacity and fatigue life your application depends on.
At Ever Power, we have supplied LL12 series leaf chains to warehousing operations, manufacturing plants, and OEM forklift builders across England, Scotland, and Wales for over 18 years. Our production facility holds ISO 9001 certification, and every batch undergoes tensile proof-load testing before despatch. When a distribution centre in the East Midlands needs a rapid replacement or a Scottish offshore support vessel requires a custom-length chain, our engineering team responds with datasheets, CAD drawings, and sample chains — typically within one working day.
The LL designation within the DIN/ISO numbering system indicates a lacing pattern where plates are interleaved rather than side-by-side, giving a comparatively slender profile for a given tensile load. This matters in forklift mast design because a narrower chain can ride a smaller sheave, saving weight and reducing the installed height of the mast assembly. The 24 in the series number references the 19.050 mm pitch (equivalent to the #120 ANSI pitch family), making the LL12 series one of the most widely stocked and replaced leaf chain variants in the UK material handling market.
Technical Design Drawings
DRAWING · DIMENSIONAL REFERENCE
DRAWING · LACING PATTERN DETAIL
Technical Specifications
DIN/ISO CHAIN DATA · LL12 SERIES
All LL12 series variants share a common pitch of 19.050 mm, plate depth of 16.0 mm, plate thickness of 1.85 mm, and pin diameter of 5.72 mm. The four standard lacing configurations — 2×2, 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 — allow engineers to select precisely the tensile capacity required without over-specifying and adding unnecessary mass to the mast assembly. The table below reproduces the complete dimensional and strength data as supplied from our engineering records.
| DIN/ISO Chain No. | Pitch P (mm) | Plate Lacing | Plate Depth h2 max (mm) | Plate Thickness T max (mm) | Pin Diameter d2 max (mm) | Pin Length L max (mm) | Ultimate Tensile Strength Q min (kN/lbf) | Average Tensile Strength Q0 (kN) | Weight per Metre q (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LL1222 | 19.050 | 2 × 2 | 16.0 | 1.85 | 5.72 | 10.4 | 29.5 / 6637 | 33.2 | 0.73 |
| LL1244 | 4 × 4 | 17.9 | 59.0 / 13273 | 66.4 | 1.44 | ||||
| LL1266 | 6 × 6 | 25.4 | 88.5 / 19910 | 99.7 | 2.15 | ||||
| LL1288 | 8 × 8 | 32.9 | 118.0 / 26547 | 132.9 | 2.84 |
* All data per DIN 8154 / ISO 4347 standards. Custom lengths, coatings, and anchor pin configurations available on request.
Why UK Engineers Specify LL12 Series
PRODUCT ADVANTAGES
Verified High Tensile Strength
From 29.5 kN (2×2 lacing) through to 118 kN (8×8 lacing), the LL12 range covers the full spectrum of forklift and hoist capacities found in UK warehousing and manufacturing. Every batch is proof-load tested and traceable to mill certificates.
Precision Machined Pins and Plates
Ground pin surfaces with tight diameter tolerances (5.72 mm max) ensure even load distribution across all laced plates, eliminating the premature plate-hole wear that shortens the life of sub-standard chains. Our heat-treated plates achieve a minimum surface hardness of 55 HRC.
DIN/ISO Interchangeability
Built to DIN 8154 and ISO 4347, the LL12 series is dimensionally interchangeable with chains from all major OEM suppliers. Replacement during scheduled maintenance or breakdown is straightforward, minimising technician time and avoiding the need for sheave or anchor pin modification.
Extended Service Life
The interleaved lacing design distributes cyclic stress across a greater number of plate link interfaces compared with standard roller chain. Customers running three-shift operations in UK logistics hubs consistently report 20–30% longer chain life versus unbranded imports, which cuts annual maintenance spend and reduces safety-critical inspection frequency.
Corrosion Resistant Options
Standard zinc-phosphate pre-treatment is included as baseline. For cold-store facilities, food processing lines, or outdoor port equipment in coastal UK locations, we offer electro-zinc plating, hot-dip galvanising, and stainless-steel pin variants — all available with the same DIN/ISO dimensional guarantee.
Full Documentation Package
Every shipment is accompanied by a material test certificate (MTC), dimensional inspection report, and proof-load test records. This documentation supports LOLER compliance requirements for UK lifting equipment operators and simplifies audits by HSE inspectors or third-party certification bodies.
Material, Working Principle & Application Scenarios
ENGINEERING DETAIL
⚙ Material Composition
Link plates are stamped from alloy steel strip (typically 20MnCr5 or equivalent), then case-hardened and tempered to achieve a hardness gradient that resists both surface wear and through-plate crack propagation. Pins are manufactured from 16MnCr5 bar stock, ground to tolerance, and case-hardened. The combination gives an elastic core with a hard wearing surface — the same metallurgical principle used in gear teeth and bearing races. All raw materials are sourced from certified EU and UK mills with full traceability to heat number.
💡 Working Principle
A leaf chain functions purely as a tension member — it carries no torque and meshes with no sprocket teeth. The chain loops over a smooth-faced sheave at the top of the mast and connects at both ends to the lift carriage and the hydraulic cylinder ram. As the cylinder extends, the chain’s two sides equalise the mechanical advantage. Load is shared across all laced plates simultaneously, so the failure mode is gradual elongation rather than sudden fracture, giving operators and inspectors advance warning through routine elongation measurement checks specified in ISO 4347.
🏭 UK Application Sectors
The LL12 series is found across the full breadth of British industry: counterbalanced and reach-truck forklifts in distribution warehouses in the East Midlands and South East; scissor and telescopic-boom platforms used on North Sea offshore support vessels and wind farm installation barges; hydraulic press tooling retention in West Midlands automotive stamping shops; and agricultural loader arms on large arable farms across East Anglia. Anywhere a controlled vertical load path is needed, the LL12 series is a credible engineering solution.
Customer Success Stories
VERIFIED CASE STUDIES · UK & EUROPE
East Midlands, UK · Logistics & Distribution
Nationwide Pallet Distribution Centre Reduces Chain Replacement Frequency by 35%
A large third-party logistics operator running 48 counterbalanced forklifts across two sites near Nottingham was replacing leaf chains every 14 months on average due to fatigue cracking attributed to inconsistent plate hardness in their previous supply. After switching their entire fleet to LL1244 (4×4 lacing) and LL1266 (6×6 lacing) chains from Ever Power, the maintenance manager recorded the first full 20-month cycle without a single unplanned chain change. The standardised dimensional data and accompanying MTCs also simplified their ISO 45001 audit documentation, saving approximately four hours of preparation time per annual audit. Initial chain cost per unit was 8% higher than their previous supplier; total annual chain expenditure fell by 22% due to the extended service interval.
“We spec’d Ever Power LL12 chains across the whole fleet after the first site trial. The consistency between batches is something we hadn’t seen from previous suppliers. Our engineers know exactly what they’re fitting.”
— Fleet Maintenance Manager, Nottingham Logistics Hub
“We run a 24/7 automotive press shop in Coventry and can’t afford downtime. The LL1288 chains we ordered arrived with full test certs and have now been in service for 18 months without issue. Lead time was four working days to our site — genuinely impressive.”
— Engineering Supervisor
Automotive Stamping Plant, West Midlands
“Operating scissor lifts on offshore vessels means we need galvanised chain options. Ever Power supplied LL1244 with hot-dip zinc coating and stainless pin inserts on a short turnaround. The custom anchor pin dimensions were machined to our drawing with no errors. Excellent supplier.”
— Procurement Lead
Offshore Marine Services, Aberdeen
“As a forklift OEM, we need a leaf chain supplier who can hold tight tolerances across large production runs. The LL1222 and LL1244 we’ve been sourcing from Ever Power pass our in-house CMM inspection every time. Price is competitive, and the team responds to technical queries the same day.”
— Senior Design Engineer
Forklift OEM, Yorkshire
Frequently Asked Questions
LEAF CHAIN · UK BUYERS’ GUIDE
Ready to Source LL12 Series Leaf Chain for Your UK Operation?
Whether you need catalogue stock, custom-length assemblies, or application engineering support, our team is ready to assist. Send your enquiry today and receive a detailed quotation within one working day.
Get a Quote · [email protected]
EVER POWER · ISO 9001 CERTIFIED · DIN/ISO 4347 COMPLIANT · UK SUPPLY SPECIALIST · edit by gzl
edit by gzl
