Sprockets & Drive Wheels

Sprockets are chosen after the belt

The belt series fixes the tooth form. Two belts on the same 25.4 mm pitch still take different sprockets, because the tooth has to sit in a different rod pocket. So the order is always belt first, then tooth count, then bore, then how many sprockets sit across the width.

Tooth count is the decision that changes how the line behaves. A modular belt wraps a sprocket as a polygon, not a circle, so the driving radius rises and falls once per tooth and belt speed rises and falls with it. Fewer teeth gives a smaller sprocket and a tighter transfer nose with more speed variation. More teeth gives a smoother belt and a larger drive package. The reasoning, with numbers, is in sprocket selection.

Belt series	Tooth counts available
956	8 / 10 / 12
900	9 / 12 / 18 / 20
4809	9 / 14
5935	9 / 13 / 17 / 24
400	10 / 12 / 16
976, 986	12 / 16 / 20
1000	16 / 18 / 22
1100	16 / 24 / 32

Series not listed above are made to the belt rather than to a fixed set of counts. Tell us the series and we will confirm what is available.

Bore and shaft

Square bore transmits torque along a shaft carrying several sprockets and is the usual choice on a drive shaft. Round bore with a bushing insert adapts a sprocket to the shaft diameter you already have. Fixed bearing bushings hold one sprocket in place axially. Standard round bores are 25, 30 and 40 mm, square bores 40, 50 and 60 mm, and insert sizes 30, 40, 50 and 60 mm.

One point that gets missed on new builds: only one sprocket per shaft is locked axially, normally the centre one. Every other sprocket is left free to slide sideways so the belt can grow and shrink with temperature. Lock them all and the belt has nowhere to go.

Common questions

What three numbers do you need from me?

Series, tooth count and bore type with size. With those three we can match a sprocket without seeing the conveyor.

Do I have to replace sprockets when I replace the belt?

Not always, but a worn sprocket will damage a new belt quickly. How to judge the teeth is covered in reusing existing sprockets.

The belt jumps teeth under load. Is the sprocket wrong?

Usually it is wear, engagement or belt pull rather than the wrong part. The diagnostic order is in tracking, wear and slip troubleshooting.