What Is Differences From Heavy-Duty Escalator Step Chains And Ordinary Ones?

heavy-duty escalator step chains are tailor-made for high-demand scenarios like airports, subway stations, and large shopping malls,long service life outweigh their higher costs

Aug 27,2025

Differences, Advantages and Disadvantages of Heavy-Duty Escalator Step Chains Compared to Ordinary Ones
一,Differences
Escalator step chains are crucial for the safe and smooth operation of escalators, and heavy-duty step chains differ significantly from ordinary ones in multiple aspects—with their unique design making them indispensable in specific high-demand application scenarios.

 

 
In terms of structure and material, heavy-duty step chains are designed with a more robust structure. They usually have thicker plates, larger pins, and reinforced bushings, while the materials used are high-strength alloys that can withstand greater pressure. This rugged build is tailored for scenarios where escalators face continuous stress, such as airport terminals handling luggage-laden passengers or large-scale exhibition centers with peak-hour crowds
 
 
Ordinary step chains, by contrast, have a relatively simple structure with thinner components and are often made of common carbon steel, suitable only for light-load scenarios like small office buildings or low-traffic residential lobbies.
二,Advantages
1, When it comes to load-bearing capacity, heavy-duty step chains take the lead. They can bear much heavier loads—typically up to 30% - 50% more than ordinary ones—which makes them the top choice for high-traffic public areas. For example, subway stations during morning and evening rush hours, where hundreds of commuters step on and off every minute, or large shopping malls during holiday sales when escalators carry both people and bulky shopping bags, rely on heavy-duty chains to avoid breakdowns. https://www.deysse.com/product/Escalator-Step-Chain-OEM-GAA26350L25-Pitch-135.46mm-Roller-Size-76.2-22mm-2763.html Ordinary step chains, however, lack this resilience and are only suitable for low-traffic places with fewer users and no frequent heavy loads.
 
2, The service life of heavy-duty step chains is another key advantage, directly benefiting their core application scenarios. Due to their high-quality materials and strong structure, they can last 2 - 3 times longer than ordinary step chains and are more resistant to wear, corrosion, and fatigue. This is critical for transport hubs like train stations or 24-hour commercial complexes, where frequent chain replacement would cause long downtime, disrupt passenger flow, and increase operational costs—issues that heavy-duty chains effectively mitigate by reducing replacement frequency.
 
三, Disadvantages
Despite these advantages, heavy-duty step chains have some shortcomings that need to be considered alongside their application scenarios. Firstly, their cost is much higher: the production of heavy-duty chains requires advanced technology and expensive materials, so their purchase price is usually 50% - 100% higher than that of ordinary ones—a factor that may deter small businesses with limited budgets, even if they have occasional high traffic. Secondly, their heavier weight increases the escalator’s energy consumption, which can add up for facilities running escalators 12+ hours a day, like airports or shopping malls. Moreover, their installation and maintenance are more complex: the heavy weight makes installation labor-intensive, and maintenance requires professional personnel and special tools—another challenge for locations with limited technical support, such as some regional shopping centers.
 
In conclusion, heavy-duty escalator step chains are tailor-made for high-demand scenarios like airports, subway stations, and large shopping malls, where their load-bearing capacity and long service life outweigh their higher costs and maintenance needs. Ordinary chains, meanwhile, remain practical for low-load environments. The choice ultimately depends on the specific usage conditions, traffic volume, and budget of the facility.