Timber Chain Solutions
Sawmill and timber-processing operations demand chain that can take a beating every shift. Bark, grit, sawdust, moisture and relentless shock loading from log decks and debarkers combine to accelerate wear and shorten chain life.
Renold New Zealand supplies purpose-engineered mill chain and welded steel chain solutions, including the WH132 and WH78 series, to keep New Zealand and Australian sawmills running with less downtime and fewer unplanned replacements.
Backed by over 150 years of global engineering heritage, Renold NZ supports timber processors from specification through to supply, sprocket matching and ongoing technical guidance from our Auckland team.
WH132 Timber Chain
The WH132 timber chain is Renold's heavy-duty workhorse for the most demanding sawmill conveyor applications. Built on the ACE "Ultra" welded steel platform, WH132 chain features induction-hardened pins, as well as through-hardening and a precision-ground finish. It delivers an exceptionally wear-resistant surface that extends pin-to-bush life under sustained abrasive loading.
WH132 is ideally suited to high-load positions in the mill: log deck infeed, debarker infeed and debarker conveyors where impact loads are highest. The cranked-link construction uses accurately punched side plates with press-fitted pins to eliminate play and prevent unnecessary wear caused by pin movement. Automated machine welding ensures consistent dimensional control across every batch.
All ACE Ultra WH132 timber chain is supplied pre-lubricated for initial bedding-in of round components at start-up, and offers long shelf life for stocked replacement lengths.
Explore the full conveyor chain for timber processing range, or see the 81x timber chain product page for an alternative engineered timber chain option.
WH78 Timber Chain
The WH78 timber chain is the mid-duty WH series option, designed for secondary conveyor positions where load and impact conditions are less severe than the log deck but where abrasion, chip contamination and moisture remain constant challenges.
WH78 is commonly specified for sawline conveyors, waste and chip conveyors, edger and trimmer lines, stackers, unstacklers and scanner feeds, where a lighter chain section reduces drive load while still delivering the heat-treated material selection and ACE Ultra link construction that defines the WH range.
Like the WH132, WH78 timber chain pins are press-fitted into side plates, with selected pins receiving induction hardening for additional surface wear resistance. Bushes are manufactured from carburising-grade carbon steel and case-hardened for maximum pin-to-bush service life.
When selecting between WH132 and WH78, conveyor pull load, pitch requirement and the severity of impact loading at each position are the primary considerations. Renold NZ's technical team can assist with load calculations and pitch selection to ensure the right chain is used in the right application.
Mill Chain
Mill chain is a broad category of engineered conveyor chain specifically developed for the harsh conditions found in operating sawmills and timber processing facilities. It combines heavy construction, abrasion resistance and the ability to withstand shock loading from irregular timber profiles and log handling.
Renold's mill chain range is built on carefully selected medium carbon steels for pins and side plates, with carburising-grade bushes that are case-hardened on heat-treated variants. Material selection targets sliding wear performance, pin-to-bush life, and tensile strength under high-impact loading, the three areas that most influence chain longevity in a working mill.
Attachments for mill chain can be factory-fitted to suit specific conveyor configurations. Custom attachment links, extended pins and specialist configurations are available.
For drive and transmission requirements beyond the conveyor, Renold's industrial transmission chain range includes roller chain and abrasion- and corrosion-resistant variants suited to sawmill auxiliary drives.
Welded Steel Chain
Renold's welded steel chain for timber applications is manufactured under the ACE Ultra engineering class range, which has set the industry standard for decades. Two primary constructions are available:
Type W
The standard ACE Ultra welded steel chain uses cranked-link construction with press-fitted pins. Accurate punching of the side plate holes, automated machine welding and tight assembly tolerances ensure high dimensional consistency throughout the chain run. Medium carbon steels are used for pins and plates, with heat treatment options available to increase strength and wear resistance. Bushes are carburising-grade carbon steel, case-hardened on specified variants.
Type WD
The drag chain variant, furnished with heat-treated pins and formed steel bushes shaped to maximise conveying capacity, shock resistance and toughness. The shaped bush profile provides higher bending yield strength than cast alternatives. Single flats milled on pin ends, combined with precise press fits, prevent pin rotation and the associated accelerated wear. The flexibility of welded steel construction also supports a wider range of attachment link configurations than is typically available with cast chain alternatives.
Both Type W and WD welded steel chains are supplied pre-lubricated and are available in the WH series pitch sizes to suit existing sprockets and conveyor track widths.
Sawmill Applications
Renold timber chain solutions cover the full mill floor, from the first point of log contact through to the finished timber output:
- Infeed and primary processing: log deck infeed, log deck, debarker infeed, debarker, chipper.
- Secondary processing lines: sawline conveyors, edger, trimmer, scanner, waste and chip conveyors.
- Sorting, handling and outfeed: bin/drop sorter, stacker, unscrambler, wrapper.
Timber processing environments present a combination of challenges that a general-purpose conveyor chain is not designed to handle. Renold's WH series and ACE Ultra welded steel chain constructions address all three factors through material selection, heat treatment and precision manufacturing.
Sprocket Matching and Replacement Planning
Running ACE Ultra mill chain against worn or poorly matched sprockets will shorten service life significantly, regardless of chain quality. Renold NZ recommends replacing sprockets and chain together at scheduled intervals to ensure correct pitch engagement from the first day of operation. Our team can advise on sprocket tooth form, pitch diameter and material specification for your specific chain and drive arrangement.
Browse sprockets for chain drives from Renold NZ, including conveyor sprockets suited to WH series timber chain.
For sawmill drive trains requiring integrated gearbox support, Renold's gearbox solutions for sawmills include worm reducer units for conveyor drives across a range of duty ratings.
Talk to Renold NZ About Your Timber Chain Requirements
Whether you're planning a scheduled chain replacement, specifying for a new conveyor installation or dealing with premature chain wear, Renold NZ's team is ready to help.
Contact us at our Auckland office on +64 9 828 5018 or email nzsales@renold.com to discuss WH132 timber chain,WH78 timber chain, mill chain or welded steel chain for your operation.
Sawmill and timber-processing operations demand chain that can take a beating every shift. Bark, grit, sawdust, moisture and relentless shock loading from log decks and debarkers combine to accelerate wear and shorten chain life.
Renold New Zealand supplies purpose-engineered mill chain and welded steel chain solutions, including the WH132 and WH78 series, to keep New Zealand and Australian sawmills running with less downtime and fewer unplanned replacements.
Backed by over 150 years of global engineering heritage, Renold NZ supports timber processors from specification through to supply, sprocket matching and ongoing technical guidance from our Auckland team.
WH132 Timber Chain
The WH132 timber chain is Renold's heavy-duty workhorse for the most demanding sawmill conveyor applications. Built on the ACE "Ultra" welded steel platform, WH132 chain features induction-hardened pins, as well as through-hardening and a precision-ground finish. It delivers an exceptionally wear-resistant surface that extends pin-to-bush life under sustained abrasive loading.
WH132 is ideally suited to high-load positions in the mill: log deck infeed, debarker infeed and debarker conveyors where impact loads are highest. The cranked-link construction uses accurately punched side plates with press-fitted pins to eliminate play and prevent unnecessary wear caused by pin movement. Automated machine welding ensures consistent dimensional control across every batch.
All ACE Ultra WH132 timber chain is supplied pre-lubricated for initial bedding-in of round components at start-up, and offers long shelf life for stocked replacement lengths.
Explore the full conveyor chain for timber processing range, or see the 81x timber chain product page for an alternative engineered timber chain option.
WH78 Timber Chain
The WH78 timber chain is the mid-duty WH series option, designed for secondary conveyor positions where load and impact conditions are less severe than the log deck but where abrasion, chip contamination and moisture remain constant challenges.
WH78 is commonly specified for sawline conveyors, waste and chip conveyors, edger and trimmer lines, stackers, unstacklers and scanner feeds, where a lighter chain section reduces drive load while still delivering the heat-treated material selection and ACE Ultra link construction that defines the WH range.
Like the WH132, WH78 timber chain pins are press-fitted into side plates, with selected pins receiving induction hardening for additional surface wear resistance. Bushes are manufactured from carburising-grade carbon steel and case-hardened for maximum pin-to-bush service life.
When selecting between WH132 and WH78, conveyor pull load, pitch requirement and the severity of impact loading at each position are the primary considerations. Renold NZ's technical team can assist with load calculations and pitch selection to ensure the right chain is used in the right application.
Mill Chain
Mill chain is a broad category of engineered conveyor chain specifically developed for the harsh conditions found in operating sawmills and timber processing facilities. It combines heavy construction, abrasion resistance and the ability to withstand shock loading from irregular timber profiles and log handling.
Renold's mill chain range is built on carefully selected medium carbon steels for pins and side plates, with carburising-grade bushes that are case-hardened on heat-treated variants. Material selection targets sliding wear performance, pin-to-bush life, and tensile strength under high-impact loading, the three areas that most influence chain longevity in a working mill.
Attachments for mill chain can be factory-fitted to suit specific conveyor configurations. Custom attachment links, extended pins and specialist configurations are available.
For drive and transmission requirements beyond the conveyor, Renold's industrial transmission chain range includes roller chain and abrasion- and corrosion-resistant variants suited to sawmill auxiliary drives.
Welded Steel Chain
Renold's welded steel chain for timber applications is manufactured under the ACE Ultra engineering class range, which has set the industry standard for decades. Two primary constructions are available:
Type W
The standard ACE Ultra welded steel chain uses cranked-link construction with press-fitted pins. Accurate punching of the side plate holes, automated machine welding and tight assembly tolerances ensure high dimensional consistency throughout the chain run. Medium carbon steels are used for pins and plates, with heat treatment options available to increase strength and wear resistance. Bushes are carburising-grade carbon steel, case-hardened on specified variants.
Type WD
The drag chain variant, furnished with heat-treated pins and formed steel bushes shaped to maximise conveying capacity, shock resistance and toughness. The shaped bush profile provides higher bending yield strength than cast alternatives. Single flats milled on pin ends, combined with precise press fits, prevent pin rotation and the associated accelerated wear. The flexibility of welded steel construction also supports a wider range of attachment link configurations than is typically available with cast chain alternatives.
Both Type W and WD welded steel chains are supplied pre-lubricated and are available in the WH series pitch sizes to suit existing sprockets and conveyor track widths.
Sawmill Applications
Renold timber chain solutions cover the full mill floor, from the first point of log contact through to the finished timber output:
- Infeed and primary processing: log deck infeed, log deck, debarker infeed, debarker, chipper.
- Secondary processing lines: sawline conveyors, edger, trimmer, scanner, waste and chip conveyors.
- Sorting, handling and outfeed: bin/drop sorter, stacker, unscrambler, wrapper.
Timber processing environments present a combination of challenges that a general-purpose conveyor chain is not designed to handle. Renold's WH series and ACE Ultra welded steel chain constructions address all three factors through material selection, heat treatment and precision manufacturing.
Sprocket Matching and Replacement Planning
Running ACE Ultra mill chain against worn or poorly matched sprockets will shorten service life significantly, regardless of chain quality. Renold NZ recommends replacing sprockets and chain together at scheduled intervals to ensure correct pitch engagement from the first day of operation. Our team can advise on sprocket tooth form, pitch diameter and material specification for your specific chain and drive arrangement.
Browse sprockets for chain drives from Renold NZ, including conveyor sprockets suited to WH series timber chain.
For sawmill drive trains requiring integrated gearbox support, Renold's gearbox solutions for sawmills include worm reducer units for conveyor drives across a range of duty ratings.
Talk to Renold NZ About Your Timber Chain Requirements
Whether you're planning a scheduled chain replacement, specifying for a new conveyor installation or dealing with premature chain wear, Renold NZ's team is ready to help.
Contact us at our Auckland office on +64 9 828 5018 or email nzsales@renold.com to discuss WH132 timber chain,WH78 timber chain, mill chain or welded steel chain for your operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between WH132 and WH78 timber chain for my sawmill?
The choice depends primarily on conveyor pull load, chain pitch requirements and the severity of impact loading at each position. WH132 is specified for the most demanding positions (log deck, debarker infeed and debarker), where shock loading from heavy log contact is highest. WH78 is suited to secondary conveyor positions: sawline, edger, trimmer, stacker and chip conveyor runs where loads are more consistent and impact is less extreme. Renold NZ can assist with load calculations if you can supply conveyor length, speed, load per metre and operating hours. For a broader look at the engineered conveyor chain options available, see our conveyor chain for timber processing product range.
What makes ACE Ultra welded steel chain better suited to timber processing than standard conveyor chain?
Standard conveyor chain is manufactured to general engineering tolerances using standard material grades. ACE Ultra welded steel chain uses medium-carbon steel selected specifically for sliding wear and tensile performance, with automated machine welding for dimensional consistency and heat treatment options, including through-hardening and induction hardening on pins. The result is longer pin-to-bush life, better shock resistance and reduced stretch under the abrasive, wet and impact-heavy conditions common to sawmill conveyors.
When should I replace my mill chain and how do I know it's time?
Chain elongation (pitch wear) is the primary indicator. Renold recommends using a chain wear gauge to measure elongation across a set number of pitches. Replacement is typically warranted once elongation reaches 2–3%, depending on the application. Visible surface wear on pins and bushes, increased drive noise, chain jumping on sprockets or visible pitch variation across the run are all signs that replacement is overdue. It's best practice to plan replacement as part of a scheduled maintenance cycle rather than waiting for in-service failure. Replace sprockets simultaneously to maximise service life from the new chain.
What are the lead times for WH132 and WH78 timber chain in New Zealand?
Lead times vary depending on chain size, attachment configuration and quantity. Renold NZ maintains stock of commonly specified WH series timber chain lengths to support urgent replacements. For custom attachment configurations or high-volume orders, contact our Auckland team early in your planning cycle to confirm availability and lead time. Planned replacement orders placed in advance will always achieve shorter lead times than emergency breakdown calls.
Can Renold NZ provide technical support for custom mill chain configurations and drive system review?
Yes. Renold NZ's technical team supports sawmill and timber processing buyers through chain selection, load calculation, sprocket specification and drive train review. If your mill runs non-standard conveyor widths, unusual pitch requirements or attachment configurations not covered by the standard range, our team can advise on custom solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between WH132 and WH78 timber chain for my sawmill?
The choice depends primarily on conveyor pull load, chain pitch requirements and the severity of impact loading at each position. WH132 is specified for the most demanding positions (log deck, debarker infeed and debarker), where shock loading from heavy log contact is highest. WH78 is suited to secondary conveyor positions: sawline, edger, trimmer, stacker and chip conveyor runs where loads are more consistent and impact is less extreme. Renold NZ can assist with load calculations if you can supply conveyor length, speed, load per metre and operating hours. For a broader look at the engineered conveyor chain options available, see our conveyor chain for timber processing product range.
What makes ACE Ultra welded steel chain better suited to timber processing than standard conveyor chain?
Standard conveyor chain is manufactured to general engineering tolerances using standard material grades. ACE Ultra welded steel chain uses medium-carbon steel selected specifically for sliding wear and tensile performance, with automated machine welding for dimensional consistency and heat treatment options, including through-hardening and induction hardening on pins. The result is longer pin-to-bush life, better shock resistance and reduced stretch under the abrasive, wet and impact-heavy conditions common to sawmill conveyors.
When should I replace my mill chain and how do I know it's time?
Chain elongation (pitch wear) is the primary indicator. Renold recommends using a chain wear gauge to measure elongation across a set number of pitches. Replacement is typically warranted once elongation reaches 2–3%, depending on the application. Visible surface wear on pins and bushes, increased drive noise, chain jumping on sprockets or visible pitch variation across the run are all signs that replacement is overdue. It's best practice to plan replacement as part of a scheduled maintenance cycle rather than waiting for in-service failure. Replace sprockets simultaneously to maximise service life from the new chain.
What are the lead times for WH132 and WH78 timber chain in New Zealand?
Lead times vary depending on chain size, attachment configuration and quantity. Renold NZ maintains stock of commonly specified WH series timber chain lengths to support urgent replacements. For custom attachment configurations or high-volume orders, contact our Auckland team early in your planning cycle to confirm availability and lead time. Planned replacement orders placed in advance will always achieve shorter lead times than emergency breakdown calls.
Can Renold NZ provide technical support for custom mill chain configurations and drive system review?
Yes. Renold NZ's technical team supports sawmill and timber processing buyers through chain selection, load calculation, sprocket specification and drive train review. If your mill runs non-standard conveyor widths, unusual pitch requirements or attachment configurations not covered by the standard range, our team can advise on custom solutions.
