Auto Lift Leaf Chain Sizing & Identification Guide

🔍 How to Measure a Leaf Chain

• Pitch (P): The center-to-center distance of the chain pins. Measure across 3 pins and divide by 2 to get your exact pitch (e.g., 3/4" or 1").
• Link Plate Thickness (T): The thickness of the individual steel link side plates.
• Link Plate Height (H): The vertical height of the link plate from top to bottom.
• Lacing Configuration: The plate arrangement pattern across a single pin (e.g., 4x4, 4x6, 6x6). Count the outer and inner plates alternating down the chain.

📦 AL vs. BL Series Leaf Chains

Leaf chains are categorized into two primary standard series:

• BL Series (Heavy Duty / LH Series): Built with thicker link plates and larger-diameter pins. It is the gold standard for high safety factors, higher fatigue limits, and modern automotive hoist engineering.
• AL Series (Light Duty): Built with thinner plates matching same-pitch standard roller chains. Mostly found on older light-duty lifts and largely obsolete for new heavy hoist applications.