Views: 0 Author: Suzhou Jestin Machinery Co., Ltd. Publish Time: 2026-06-10 Origin: Suzhou Jestin Machinery Co., Ltd.
If you operate an asphalt paver, you already know that getting the paving material from the hopper to the screed is just as important as the paving itself. The component that makes this happen is the conveyor chain — also called the scraper chain, flight chain, or slat conveyor chain.
The conveyor chain is the backbone of the paver's material delivery system-. It carries hot asphalt mix from the hopper, through the tunnel, and delivers it to the auger system, which then spreads the material evenly across the paving width-.
Without a properly functioning conveyor chain, your paver won't deliver material consistently — and inconsistent material delivery means uneven mats, poor compaction, and rejected work.
In this guide, we'll walk you through how the conveyor chain works, what it's made of, common wear issues, and what to look for when buying replacements.
The working principle is simple but effective. The drive chain moves the scraper bars (also called flights or slats) across the conveyor floor. As the scraper bars pass through the pile of material in the hopper, they carry the material forward through the gate, creating a continuous, controlled material flow that feeds the auger system.
In simple terms: the chain pulls the scrapers, and the scrapers push the material forward.
The scraper bar assembly consists of two chains running parallel, connected by transverse scraper bars. The chains are the pulling force, and the scraper bars are the pushing surface. Together, they form a continuous loop that cycles material from the hopper to the auger.
Feature | Benefit |
40Mn wear-resistant steel | High strength and superior abrasion resistance |
Chain hardness: 35 HRC | Optimal wear resistance without brittleness |
Scraper hardness: ~20 HRC | Tough enough to absorb impact without cracking |
Die-stamped construction | Consistent dimensions and quality across all batches |
100% tensile-tested | Every chain verified for strength before shipment |
Custom manufacturing | We can produce conveyor chains to your drawings or samples |
Not all pavers use the same conveyor configuration. The layout depends on the machine's size and paving thickness:
Small pavers (used for thin lifts) typically use horizontal material delivery — the material moves straight from the hopper to the auger at the same level.
Large and mid-sized pavers (used for thicker lifts) typically use slightly inclined delivery — the material is lifted at a 2-degree angle as it moves from the hopper to the auger.
This inclined design helps the material flow more smoothly into the auger zone, especially when paving thicker layers that require more material volume.
The conveyor chain is driven by one of two systems:
Each side of the conveyor system has its own independent hydraulic drive, which can be controlled manually or automatically. The system consists of:
Hydraulic pump
Hydraulic motor
Planetary gearbox
Sprockets and drive chains
Conveyor chains and scraper bars
Tensioning system
Solenoid valves and limit switches
The hydraulic drive allows variable speed control — the operator can adjust the conveyor speed to match the paving speed, ensuring a consistent material supply.
Some older or smaller pavers use a mechanical drive system controlled by a hydraulic cylinder. Unlike the hydraulic system, the mechanical drive cannot change the conveyor speed. Instead, material flow is controlled by adjusting the gate opening at the rear of the hopper.
Opening the gate wider allows more material to flow; closing it reduces the flow.
The conveyor chain is one of the most heavily stressed components on a paver. It operates under high tension, high impact, and constant abrasion from hot, abrasive asphalt mix.
Jestin's conveyor chains are manufactured from high-quality wear-resistant steel — 40Mn (40 manganese steel).
High strength and toughness
Excellent wear resistance
Good hardenability
Resistance to impact and fatigue
The chain links are hardened to 35 HRC (Rockwell hardness) for optimal wear resistance and strength. The scraper bars have a slightly lower hardness of approximately 20 HRC, allowing them to flex slightly under load without cracking.
Both the chains and scraper bars are stamped and formed using precision dies, ensuring consistent dimensions and quality across every batch.
Every conveyor chain we manufacture undergoes rigorous quality testing before it leaves our facility:
Ultimate tensile load testing — verifying the chain can withstand maximum rated tension
Average tensile load testing — confirming consistent strength across the entire chain length
These tests ensure that every chain we ship meets the strength and durability requirements for real-world paving conditions.
Conveyor chains are wear parts — they're designed to be replaced periodically. Here's why they wear:
Chain stretch. Over time, the pins and bushings in the chain links wear down, causing the chain to elongate (stretch). As the chain stretches, it becomes loose on the sprockets.
The problem with loose chains. When the chain becomes too loose, paving material can get between the scraper bars and the conveyor floor. This trapped material acts like sandpaper, accelerating wear on:
The conveyor floor
The scraper bars themselves
The chain guards and wear strips
The chain can also jump off the sprockets — a catastrophic failure that can bend the scraper bars and damage the drive system.
Regular chain tension checks are the single most important maintenance task for your conveyor system.
Press down on the chain at the midpoint. The chain should have slight elasticity — not too tight, not too loose.
The recommended sag (droop) at the center of the chain is approximately 50–70 mm.
Too loose → chain slaps, wears unevenly, risks jumping off sprockets, and allows material to get trapped under the scrapers
Too tight → increases system resistance, puts extra stress on bearings and drive components, and accelerates wearHow Often to Check
Industry practice recommends checking conveyor chain tension every 100 operating hours. Drive chain tension should also be checked and adjusted every 500 operating hours if necessary.
When chain elongation exceeds the point where it can no longer be re-tensioned, it's time to replace the chain. Components that wear together should always be replaced in sets—replacing only one side while leaving the other side worn can cause the conveyor to track unevenly
The conveyor chain may not be the most glamorous part of your asphalt paver — but it's one of the most critical for consistent paving quality.
It delivers material from the hopper to the auger
It controls material flow to match paving speed
It must be maintained with regular tension checks
It wears out and needs periodic replacement
A high-quality conveyor chain means consistent material flow, fewer breakdowns, and more productive paving days.
Looking for a replacement conveyor chain for your asphalt paver?
We offer high-quality conveyor chains compatible with Vögele, Dynapac, Volvo ABG, Caterpillar, SANY, XCMG, and other major paver brands — built to last with 40Mn wear-resistant steel and 100% tensile-tested.
Get a quick quote: Send us your paver model and chain specifications — we'll reply within 24 hours.
Contact Us：
Lily / International Sales
Suzhou Jestin Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
Tel / WhatsApp: +86 17883011513
Contact our team today and keep your paving operation running smoothly with reliable conveyor chains that deliver.
