Maintenance-free chains
These maintenance-free drive chains offer long-lasting and reliable power transmission without additional lubrication. They are ideal for applications where reduced maintenance and a clean environment are required.
Spring clip conn.link 08 B-2, 1/2 " x 5/16", Lambda, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Cotter pin offset link 50-1 ANSI, 5/8" x 3/8", Lambda, DIN 8188, maintenance free
Roller chain 10 B-2, 5/8" x 3/8", Lambda, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€129.21 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link 10 B-2, 5/8 " x 3/8", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Cotter pin offset link 08 B-2, 1/2" x 5/16", LambdaNEPTUNE corr.resistant, DIN 8187,maintenance free
Roller chain 140-1 ANSI, 1 /3/4" x 1", Lambda, DIN 8188, maintenance free, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€492.08 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link 12 B-1, 3/4" x 7/16", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 80-1, 1" x 5/8", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, DIN 8188, maintenance free
Roller chain 16 B-1, 1" x 11/16", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€137.02 / 1 metres)
Spring clip conn.link 16 B-1, 1" x 11/16", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Roller chain 80-1 ANSI, 1" x 5/8",Lambda NEPTUNE corr.res.,DIN 8188, mainten. free, pack 3,05 M.
Content: 3.05 metres (€208.35 / 1 metres)
Roller chain 24 B-1, 1 1/2" x 1", Lambda NEPTUNE corr.resistant, DIN 8187, maintenance free, pack 5 M
Content: 5 metres (€461.52 / 1 metres)
Cotter pin offset link 50-1 ANSI, 5/8" x 3/8",Lambda NEPTUNE corrosion resistant, DIN 8188, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 50-1, 5/8 " x 3/8", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, DIN 8188, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 12 B-2, 3/4 " x 7/16", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Cotter pin offset link 08 B-1, 1/2" x 5/16", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Reinforced spring clip conn.link 50-1 ANSI, 5/8" x 3/8", Lambda, DIN 8188, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 08 B-2, 1/2 " x 5/16", Lambda, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 08 B-1, 1/2 " x 5/16", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Cotter pin conn.link 24 B-1, 1 1/2" x 1", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Spring clip conn.link 08 B-2, 1/2 " x 5/16", Lambda NEPTUNE corr. resistant, Duplex, DIN 8187, maintenance free
Cotter pin offset link 10 B-2, 5/8" x 3/8", LambdaNEPTUNE corr.resistant, DIN 8187,maintenance free
Roller chain 20 B-1, 1 1/4" x 3/4", Lambda, DIN 8187, maintenance free, pack 5 M.
Content: 5 metres (€196.98 / 1 metres)
TSUBAKI Lambda Maintenance-Free Roller Chains
TSUBAKI Lambda chains are maintenance-free roller chains designed for drive systems where regular external lubrication is difficult, undesirable or not possible. They provide reliable power transmission while helping to keep machinery, products and surrounding production areas free from externally applied chain lubricant.
Typical applications include automated machinery, packaging equipment, production lines and drives with difficult-to-access lubrication points. MOVET supplies TSUBAKI Lambda roller chains in different pitches, chain sizes and strand configurations, together with compatible connecting and offset links.
How Lube-Free Roller Chains Work
The internal lubrication of a TSUBAKI Lambda chain is provided by a special oil-impregnated sintered bush combined with a coated pin. During operation, the lubricant stored within the porous bush supports the sliding movement between the pin and bush without requiring regular external relubrication.
The current Lambda generation uses an NSF-H1 food-grade lubricant within the sintered bush. This can make the chain suitable for appropriate food-processing applications where incidental lubricant contact must be considered. The complete operating conditions and product-specific suitability should still be checked before use.
TSUBAKI Lambda, X-Lambda or Lambda Neptune?
The appropriate Lambda chain design depends on moisture, contamination and cleaning conditions. The following comparison provides initial guidance:
| Chain version | Typical operating conditions |
|---|---|
| TSUBAKI Lambda | Clean and predominantly dry drives where external lubrication is undesirable |
| TSUBAKI X-Lambda | Dusty or abrasive environments requiring additional protection around the chain joint |
| TSUBAKI Lambda Neptune | Moist, corrosive or regularly cleaned environments, including suitable washdown applications |
X-Lambda uses felt seals between the inner and outer link plates to retain lubricant and restrict the entry of dirt and abrasive particles. Lambda Neptune combines the lube-free Lambda design with a special surface treatment for increased resistance under corrosive and moisture-exposed operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Chains to DIN 8187 and DIN 8188
MOVET supplies maintenance-free roller chains in European and American dimensional series. Chains to DIN 8187 correspond to the European or British series, while DIN 8188 covers the American series. The two standards use different dimensions and must not be selected solely according to their nominal pitch.
Before replacing an existing drive chain, compare the chain designation, pitch, roller diameter, inner width and installed sprockets. A chain conforming to DIN 8187 cannot normally be substituted directly by a DIN 8188 chain with a similar inch designation.
Selecting Pitch, Chain Size and Number of Strands
Important selection criteria include chain pitch, roller diameter, inner width and the number of chain strands. Simplex maintenance-free chains are suitable for many standard drives, while duplex versions can be used where the required transmission capacity and drive construction call for two parallel strands.
The selected Lambda chain must match the existing sprockets and available installation space. Pin length and overall chain width should also be checked, particularly when replacing a conventional roller chain or using a multi-strand design.
Clean Drive Chains for Food, Packaging and Automation
Self-lubricating roller chains are particularly useful in machinery where externally applied oil could contaminate products, packaging materials, floors or machine components. Typical uses include packaging lines, food-processing equipment, printing machinery and automated production systems.
A lube-free design can also simplify drives located behind guards or in difficult-to-access machine areas. For applications involving moisture, alkaline cleaning agents or corrosive environmental conditions, a suitable Lambda Neptune version should be considered instead of the standard Lambda chain.
Maintenance-Free Does Not Mean Inspection-Free
Maintenance-free describes operation without regular external relubrication under suitable conditions. The roller chain and drive system must nevertheless be inspected at appropriate intervals. Chain tension, alignment, wear elongation, connecting links and the condition of the sprockets remain relevant throughout the service life.
Contamination, overloading, incorrect alignment and unsuitable environmental conditions can still cause premature wear. Any damaged or excessively elongated chain should be replaced together with incompatible or heavily worn drive components.
Select and Buy TSUBAKI Lambda Roller Chains
Use the product filters to select maintenance-free drive chains by product family, DIN standard, chain size, pitch and number of strands. The category also includes matching connecting links and offset links for standard Lambda and corrosion-resistant Lambda Neptune chains.
Standard BS Lambda chains can generally be operated with matching standard BS roller-chain sprockets. Due to the extended service life of the chain, TSUBAKI recommends sprockets with hardened teeth. For ANSI chains, multi-strand drives or conversions from another chain type, product-specific sprocket compatibility and available installation clearance should be checked before ordering.