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What Is the LH20 Series Leaf Chain?
The LH20 series leaf chain is a plate-lacing chain engineered specifically for vertical load-bearing applications — most notably the mast lifting systems of forklifts, reach trucks, and overhead lifting equipment. Unlike roller chains designed for rotary power transmission, leaf chains transfer tensile force along a linear path, making them the industry standard wherever precision vertical movement and high-cycle reliability are demanded. The design follows both DIN ISO and ANSI chain numbering conventions, giving procurement teams in the UK and across Europe the flexibility to source against either specification without compromise.
With a fixed pitch of 31.75 mm, a plate height (h2) max of 30.18 mm, plate thickness (T) max of 4.90 mm, and pin diameter (d2) max of 11.11 mm, the LH20 family covers lacing configurations from 2×2 through 8×8. Each variant is precision-manufactured to achieve ultimate tensile strengths ranging from 115.6 kN on the compact LH2022 right up to 555.1 kN on the heavy-duty LH1088 — values that reflect the demanding reality of UK warehouse, logistics, and heavy-industrial environments where downtime is never an option.
Why UK Engineers Specify the LH20 Series
Six performance pillars that set this leaf chain apart
DIN ISO & ANSI Dual Compliance
Every LH20 chain is manufactured to satisfy both DIN ISO (LH prefix) and ANSI (BL prefix) standards simultaneously. This means UK distributors and OEM integrators can order once and satisfy multiple project specifications without re-engineering assemblies or managing separate stock lines.
Exceptional Tensile Strength Range
From 115.6 kN average tensile on the LH2022 to a substantial 555.1 kN on the LH1088, the series offers a calibrated strength ladder. Design engineers can right-size the chain for the exact load cycle without over-specifying, reducing material cost while maintaining generous safety factors that align with LOLER and PUWER regulations in Britain.
Precision Plate Lacing Architecture
The interleaved plate lacing — available in 2×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×4, 4×6, 6×6, and 8×8 configurations — distributes stress evenly across every link. This design prevents stress concentration at any single plate, extending service life dramatically in high-frequency lift/lower cycles typical of busy UK distribution centre operations.
High-Grade Alloy Steel Construction
Plates are stamped from heat-treated alloy steel with consistent hardness profiles. Pins are precision-ground to tight diameter tolerances, ensuring smooth articulation and minimal wear even under sustained loads. The material selection directly supports the high Q-min and Q0 tensile values published in the specification table, giving maintenance teams confidence in the published data.
Forklift-Optimised Weight Profile
Weight per metre ranges from just 3.40 kg/m (LH2022) to 13.8 kg/m (LH1088). This calibrated weight scaling means forklift mast designers can balance counterweight calculations accurately, while mobile elevated work platforms benefit from reduced dead-load in their boom and scissor assemblies without sacrificing the structural integrity required for operator safety.
Rapid UK Supply & Custom Lengths
Ever Power holds stock of standard LH20 series variants and can supply cut-to-length chains with appropriate end anchors and connecting links for same-week dispatch to UK addresses. For projects requiring non-standard configurations, our engineering team will review drawings and quote bespoke assemblies, keeping British MRO operations running without extended lead times from overseas sources.
Technical Specifications — LH20 Series Leaf Chain
Pitch: 31.75 mm | Plate Height h2 max: 30.18 mm | Plate Thickness T max: 4.90 mm | Pin Diameter d2 max: 11.11 mm
Q = Ultimate tensile strength (min) | Q0 = Average tensile strength | All values per DIN ISO 4347 / ANSI B29.8
Material, Working Principle & Application Environments
⚖ Material & Heat Treatment
The LH20 series leaf chain plates are stamped from medium-carbon alloy steel (conforming to GB/T equivalent grades) and undergo controlled carburising and quenching processes to reach a surface hardness that resists wear while maintaining ductile core properties. Pin stock is precision-turned from case-hardened steel bar and ground to tolerance class h6, ensuring consistent fit within the plate apertures across the full production run. The combination of hard surface and tough core is what allows these chains to absorb shock loads typical of forklift free-lift sequences without propagating fatigue cracks through the cross-section.
⚙ Working Principle
Unlike roller chains where sprocket engagement is the primary transmission mechanism, the leaf chain operates as a pure tensile link. In a standard counterbalanced forklift mast, the chain anchors at one end to the mast carriage and at the other to a fixed point on the frame. As the hydraulic cylinder extends, the chain’s catenary geometry is managed by a pulley (sheave), with the chain bearing the combined weight of the load, the fork carriage, and any dynamic forces generated during acceleration and braking. This means every single link in the chain continuously carries the full working load — making precision heat treatment and dimensional consistency across all lacing plates absolutely non-negotiable for safe, long-life operation.
🏢 Application Scenarios
The LH20 series is the first choice for counterbalanced forklift trucks, reach trucks, very-narrow-aisle (VNA) order pickers, stacker cranes, scissor lifts, and hydraulic dock levellers across UK warehousing and manufacturing sites. Beyond materials handling, these leaf chains are specified in foundry ladle cranes, automotive press tool changers, and agricultural machinery where a compact, high-strength tensile link is required in a corrosive or high-temperature operating environment. UK facilities covered under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) regularly rely on this series as it facilitates straightforward planned maintenance inspection and elongation measurement.
Customer Success Case
Real-world proof from European industrial operations
Midlands Cold Storage Facility — UK Warehousing & Logistics
Challenge: Repeated Leaf Chain Failures in a High-Cycle Cold Store Environment
A third-party logistics operator running a 24,000 sq ft refrigerated distribution centre near Birmingham was experiencing premature leaf chain failures on their fleet of 14 Linde R20 reach trucks. Operating at temperatures between -25°C and +5°C across three shifts, the incumbent chain supplier’s product was showing accelerated elongation and pin corrosion within 900–1,100 operating hours, far below the expected 3,000-hour service interval. The site’s engineering team calculated that unplanned downtime and emergency chain replacement was costing the business approximately £18,000 per quarter in parts, labour, and lost throughput.
After a technical review, the procurement manager contacted Ever Power and specified LH2044 (BL1044) chains for the primary lift mast and LH2034 (BL1034) for the free-lift stage. Ever Power supplied chains with additional pre-lubrication suited to cold-store conditions. The first batch of 28 chain assemblies was delivered to the Birmingham facility within five working days.
Result: After 12 months in service, no chain on the fleet had been replaced due to elongation or corrosion. The site’s planned maintenance team reported that elongation measurements at the 1,500-hour inspection remained well within the 2% condemn limit specified by BS EN 13157. Estimated annual cost saving: £68,000, factoring in reduced replacement frequency, zero unplanned downtime events, and a 15% reduction in lubrication labour. The operator subsequently standardised the entire fleet on LH20 series chains.
“We switched to Ever Power’s LH2066 for our heavy stacker cranes in our Coventry parts depot. Lead time was fast, chain quality was immediately obvious from the surface finish alone, and the tensile strength data matched the published figures exactly when we bench-tested a sample. Highly recommended for UK industrial buyers looking for a reliable DIN-compliant supplier.”
— Mark T., Maintenance Manager
Automotive Parts Distribution, Coventry, UK
“Our forklift fleet at the Port of Felixstowe includes 40-tonne container handlers with demanding lift cycles. After evaluating three suppliers, Ever Power’s LH1088 was the only chain that met both our ANSI and LOLER documentation requirements out of the box. The custom-length supply with swaged pin ends saved our workshop two days of fabrication per vessel turnaround.”
— James R., Fleet Engineer
Port Logistics Operations, Felixstowe, UK
“As a materials handling dealer covering Scotland and Northern England, we list Ever Power LH20 series chains as our primary catalogue recommendation for mast chain replacements. Delivery to our Glasgow depot is consistent, pricing is competitive versus European alternatives, and the technical support team can confirm cross-references for obscure forklift models quickly. Our customers trust the brand.”
— Sarah O., Procurement Director
MHE Dealer & Service Company, Glasgow, Scotland
Our Manufacturing Facility & Custom Chain Services
Precision production backed by advanced tooling — and the flexibility to meet your exact specification
Ever Power’s dedicated leaf chain manufacturing plant operates a full vertical production process: steel plate blanking, progressive die stamping, heat treatment furnaces, pin grinding, assembly, and a 100% tensile proof-load test before shipment. This integrated approach gives our quality engineers visibility across every production stage, allowing us to guarantee that the tensile values in the specification table are achieved on every single chain rather than as statistical sample averages.
Our product customisation capability is one of the most comprehensive in the sector. British OEM customers and MRO distributors regularly request: non-standard lacing combinations beyond the catalogue range; special pin end configurations including threaded pins, clevis anchors, and swaged terminations; stainless steel plate variants for food-grade or marine environments; extended-pitch versions for specific mast geometries; and surface treatment options including zinc phosphate, hot-dip galvanising, and nickel plating for corrosive applications. Our engineering team will review your drawing or application brief and return a detailed quotation, typically within 48 hours for standard customisations. For truly bespoke requirements, a structured NDA-protected product development process is available.
LH20 Series — Application Selection Guide
| Chain Model | Recommended Application | Typical UK Sector | Load Capacity Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| LH2022 / LH2023 | Light pallet trucks, small electric stackers, scissor lift tables | Retail, E-commerce fulfilment | Light |
| LH2034 / LH2044 | 2–3 tonne counterbalanced forklifts, reach trucks, VNA trucks | Food & beverage, 3PL warehousing | Medium |
| LH2046 / LH2066 | 4–6 tonne industrial forklifts, crane hoists, dock levellers | Manufacturing, steel & metals processing | Heavy |
| LH1088 | Heavy container handlers, port cranes, foundry ladle hoists | Port logistics, heavy industry, foundries | Very Heavy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from UK buyers, maintenance engineers, and OEM procurement teams
Ready to Specify the LH20 Series for Your UK Project?
Whether you need standard stock items delivered next week or a fully customised chain assembly with bespoke anchors and surface treatment — our technical team is ready to support your enquiry.
edit by gzl
