Gripper Chain
CSTRANS supplies 1873-D, G3 and G4 gripper chain forms for plastic-bottle handling, alongside top-plate and turning chains in the 1874T, 843, 863 and 3873 families. The product-contact part, base chain and curve construction vary across these models. CSTRANS can match them to the bottle path, support track and adjacent transfer to maintain product position through the line.
Bottle grip
Hold bottles through a change in elevation
The 1873 gripper forms grip plastic bottles during lifting. In 1873-D, a rubber block contacts the bottle; a POM snap-on plate and strip sit on a 12A carbon-steel or stainless-steel base chain. CSTRANS also offers G3 and G4 gripping forms. When opposing gripper runs lift a bottle, contact shape, run spacing and synchronized movement govern whether it stays upright and releases cleanly into the next section. CSTRANS can match the gripper form and base-chain construction to that handling task.
Plate and chain
Keep the plate and base chain matched
An 1874T uses a carbon-steel top plate with a carbon-steel or stainless-steel base chain. The 843 has an 08A base chain with 12.7 mm chain pitch and top plates at 25.4 mm pitch; plate widths include 34.9, 50.8 and 82.6 mm. The 863 and the 1873, 1874T and 3873 families use a 12A base chain. This distinction matters when replacing a chain: the visible carrying plate alone does not identify the drive chain below it or the sprocket it needs.
Guided turn
Carry the chain through a guided turn
CSTRANS offers 3873SS-K1200-Z with a stainless-steel base chain and left- or right-side bearing arrangements. The 3873-K1200-G has a carbon-steel base chain with alternating upper and lower ball positions. Bearings and balls create different contact with the curved guide, helping the chain follow its route into the receiving section. Matching the turn direction and guide geometry to the exact 3873 construction keeps the carrying path continuous through the bend.
Application / Line Context
On a bottle lift, gripper blocks establish side contact while paired chains carry the container upward; the infeed must present bottles at the right position for contact, and the discharge must give them a supported release. On a carrying section, a top plate supports the product from below while its 08A or 12A base chain engages the drive, so surface width and sprocket fit are separate checks. In a turning run, side bearings or alternating ball positions affect chain-to-guide contact, while the exit transfer must receive the product at the right level and orientation.