Replacing an X458 chain

About a month ago one of our managers noticed that we had a broken connector link. upon closer inspection we found we had 4 more. After 450,000 cars, we had to replace our chain. (see picture of broken links). When we examined the old chain we found that the majority of the wear and deformation was in the "dog bone" connectors (see picture).
The amazing thing is with the MacNeil conveyor, we were able to relace the dollies during the day, and only had to stop the conveyor for 10 minutes to replace 18 - 20 feet at a time (and did it all on top) at a time on a slow day. We wound up with 8 or 10 cars in the queue before we were finished. Then we would dismantle the old chain, and put the old dollies back in the new chain. Some of the old dollies need repairs, but they are still functional.
$1800 of new chain equal $66 of scrap metal!

Thanks for the great info and pics Jimmy. I am reaching 400k on my D88k at one location and I hope to get another 100k out of it before going to x458.

I never dreamed you could change an entire chain like that.

Those are great pics of the links. I hope you have pictures of your 9 grandkids that are as good as those pieces of metal.

Ryko uses a harden pin with this style chain. You can tell the difference by the cast line in the non hardened pin. I will post a picture of this other pin when I get a chance. It seems to wear better and does not wear the bone or sides as fast.
I have yet to see any conveyor as fast and easy to work on as a 458 chain with an air shock tension system! Nothing else comes close.

I shortend my X458 last Saturday morning. It to me 10 min by myself. The old D88 took me 45 min. I love the air tensioner!

Now that I work for a dist. I have had to work on other brands to satisfy existing customers. From cutting torches, to "press fit" pins retained by cotter pins, to massive springs requiring huge 3/4" drive sockets, to full days of just assembling a chain (breaking down the 10' sections and installing the rollers). I would not wish these other systems on anyone. Do not get me wrong, I like to work and have no problems using a torch, hammer or even large tools that I only need for one thing, its more about safety and downtime.

If (big IF lol)I remember right that style of chain was used years ago by Sherman on their conveyors before it was Hanna-Sherman. Then for whatever reason it gave way to some of the more popular chains like the 88Ks and C188s. I only know of one of my customers that uses this style of chain. He loves it and has less down time than anyone else in his area (southern California).

Danny

Rykopro... Iknow what you mean. The first time I called my installed to show me how to get the cotter pins out. It helped to keep spraying down the chain every night to keep the crust from forming and the pins from rusting. A grinder worked great (until I tore open my knuckles to the tendons).

I seem to shorten the chain a lot less often. I think it's because the X458 is a longer chain. It's seem to be half as less. I still have several boxes of cotter pins. Getting a punch behind the conveyor shelf and swinging a hammer was always fun too!

This is a much better system.