Proposed changes to ISO 4347 will require chain manufacturers to demonstrate that their products offer high levels of ‘fatigue’ resistance (dynamic strength).
ISO 4347 is the international standard governing the manufacture of the type of leaf chain used by forklift truck manufacturers to operate a lift truck’s mast.
At present, chain suppliers are only required to demonstrate that their products comply with ‘breaking load’ guidelines. By introducing an element of fatigue resistance testing to ISO 4347, the International Standards Committee will require that chains are manufactured with good endurance levels as well as high breaking loads.
This combination will ensure that chain users can specify products that are fit for purpose and will provide the longest life.
The proposed changes to ISO 4347 will require chain manufacturers to show that their chain will withstand a minimum dynamic load for at least three million cycles.
Jim Cameron, technical director of FB Chain, said: “A chain’s ability to provide good ‘fatigue’ resistance whilst maintaining high breaking loads is a far more accurate guide to the chain’s quality and suitability.
“Anyone tasked with acquiring new leaf chain should ensure that what they are buying has been thoroughly tested for both ‘breaking load’ and ‘fatigue resistance’.”
