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While both 60 and 60H roller chains are used in industrial applications, the 60H roller chain offers increased strength and load capacity compared to the standard 60 roller chain.

What Are 60 and 60H Roller Chains?

What’s a 60 Roller Chain?

A 60 roller chain is a standard-size chain that consists of alternating inner and outer links connected by pins and bushings. It has rollers mounted on the bushings to engage with sprocket teeth. It is suitable for light to medium-duty power transmission and conveying applications.

What’s a 60H Roller Chain?

The 60H roller chain, also known as a heavy series version of the 60 roller chain, is designed for more demanding industrial applications that require higher strength and load capacity. It shares the same basic structure as the standard 60 roller chain but features larger pin diameters, thicker plates, and wider rollers.

The “H” designation stands for “heavy,” indicating its enhanced strength and durability compared to the standard 60 chains.

60 vs 60H Roller Chains: Key Differences

Feature	60 Roller Chain	60H Roller Chain
Strength and Load Capacity	Lower	Higher
Plate Thickness	Standard	Thicker
Pin Diameter	Standard	Larger
Roller Width	Standard	Wider
Application Suitability	Light to medium-duty	Heavy-duty, high load
Sprocket Pitch	ANSI #60	ANSI #60
Sprocket Compatibility	Standard sprockets	Standard pitch, may need thicker tooth profile

👉 Important note: Both chains share the same pitch. However, some heavy-duty setups require sprockets with increased tooth thickness to match 60H side plates.

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Load Rating and Strength Comparison (Typical Values)

Based on common ANSI manufacturing ranges. Actual values vary by manufacturer.

Parameter	60 Chain	60H Chain
Minimum Tensile Strength	~9,500 lbs	~13,000–15,000 lbs
Recommended Working Load	~1,400 lbs	~2,000–2,500 lbs
Plate Thickness (Approx.)	0.080 in	0.100–0.120 in
Typical Weight Increase	—	+15% to +25%

From our experience handling conveyor and drive chain projects, users often underestimate shock load. This is where 60H clearly outperforms 60.

How to Choose Between 60 and 60H Roller Chains

1. Load and Stress Requirements

If your application involves heavy loads, frequent starts and stops, or shock loading, the 60H roller chain is usually the safer choice. The thicker plates and larger pins help reduce fatigue failure over time.

For steady, continuous operation with moderate loads, a standard 60 chain is often sufficient.

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2. Application Environment

In harsh environments—such as cement plants, mining conveyors, agricultural machinery, or dusty production lines—wear increases quickly.

In these cases, many buyers choose 60H chains because:

• Plates resist deformation better
• Pins handle abrasive conditions longer
• Chain elongation occurs more slowly

If corrosion is also a concern, material and surface treatment matter as much as chain series.

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3. Service Life and Maintenance

The 60H roller chain generally provides longer service life under high load. However, it also:

• Has higher friction mass
• Requires proper lubrication
• Needs alignment control

In light-duty systems, using 60H may not extend life enough to justify the added cost.

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4. Cost Consideration

The 60H chain is typically more expensive than the standard 60 chain.

Cost Factor	60 Chain	60H Chain
Initial Chain Cost	Lower	Higher
Replacement Frequency	Higher	Lower (under heavy load)
Downtime Risk	Moderate	Lower in demanding use

In many industrial projects we’ve supported, users switched from 60 to 60H after repeated chain failures. The higher upfront cost often reduced total operating cost.

Typical Applications by Chain Type

Application	Recommended Chain
Light conveyors	60
Packaging equipment	60
Agricultural machinery	60H
Cement plant conveyors	60H
Heavy-duty drive systems	60H
Shock-load transmission	60H

Quality Roller Chains You Can Trust

While the standard 60 roller chain is suitable for light to medium-duty applications, the 60H roller chain offers increased strength, load capacity, and durability for demanding industrial environments.

The key is not choosing the strongest chain by default, but choosing the right chain for the actual working conditions.

If you are unsure which chain fits your application, consult experienced manufacturers or engineers. Chain selection mistakes often lead to early failure, downtime, and higher costs.

👉 Need technical support or chain sizing advice?
Visit our website or contact us to discuss your application requirements.