Lots of tension in a small box
Tensioning systems from a market leader – “made in Germany” for more than 60 years
Murtfeldt tensioning systems for chains and belts
Internationally renowned products by a leading manufacturer of chain and belt tensioning systems – designed and produced in Germany since 1965. Our tensioning systems reliably keep chains and belts tensioned, which in turn extends their service life. Once fitted, the tensioner automatically tensions the chain or belt, making it the best choice for spring-loaded tensioning systems.
Our extensive range of tensioning systems for chains and belts enables us to meet virtually all of your requirements quickly and with precision. We can also develop custom solutions for your use in machine construction and plant engineering, such as chain tensioners for dynamic applications and special-purpose designs with backstops.
Product categories Tensioning systems
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Advantages of Murtfeldt tensioning systems
- The only solution to comply with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
- Smooth running of chains and belts
- Reduced wear to chain links
- Reduced operating noise
- Automatic adjustment Compensation for chain and belt elongation
- Use as chain and belt guard
- Simple assembly and adjustment range
- Quick and reliable detection of adjustment requirements by sensors
- Much more dynamic response to any changes in chain movement than versions with inert gas springs or other dampening elements
- Standard solutions are available for almost all tensioning scenarios
Advantages of the Murtfeldt plastics used
- Excellent slide properties result in lower friction
- High wear resistance reduces need for maintenance and new investments
- Temperature resistance
- High mechanical and chemical resistance
- Long service life
Your advantages at a glance
More dynamic response
to changes in chain and belt movement
Reduce wear
to belts and chain links
Automatic adjustment
for chain and belt elongation
Simple assembly
and condition monitoring
Dynamic solution.
Spann-Boy® TS-EP
The tensioning system with pivot-mounted chain slide profile for dynamic applications!
Possible uses for our tensioning systems
Our tensioning system oscillate freely and are therefore resilient. So they don’t function as rigid deflectors when under load. This avoids excessive contact pressure. The aim is to keep the total force on the slack strand, resulting from the weight of the chain or belt and centrifugal force, under control.
The sturdy design of the steel housing makes our tensioning systems resistant to high mechanical loads. Our housings and tensioning systems are galvanised and therefore protected against corrosion. A plastic coating makes the surface both impact and scratch resistant. We also offer stainless steel options to meet the most stringent corrosion resistance requirements. All Murtfeldt slide profiles are made from our Original Material "S"®. Special retention systems initially hold back the spring action. When these are disengaged following installation, the tensioning pressure is released in a targeted manner.
All Murtfeldt tensioning systems offer a choice between two versions of tensioning pressure: “light” and “heavy”. The tensioners are equipped with one, two or three springs, depending on the type. You decide how many springs you want to use. This ensures the optimum application of pressure onto to a chain or belt running over the profile.
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Initial situation without a chain tensioner
One challenge with chain drives used in industry is the chain’s increasing sag due to wear. This sag in the slack strand is approx. 1 % of the centre distance as standard. If chain elongation exceeds 3%, the chain will need replacing.
Due to break-in and wear phenomena, roller chains continuously get longer. The effects of elongation caused by wear include uneven running, sag in the slack strand and rapidly increasing chain wear. The consequences of wear are increasing noise generation and vibrations, which can lead to the chain jumping and the chain strand breaking.
Interested in a tensioning system for your belts and need more information? Contact us!
Using a Murtfeldt chain tensioner
A chain tensioner compensates for sag in the chain’s slack strand. The considerable reduction in vibration enables smooth running and reduces noise. Wear to the chain links is reduced, which increases the service life of the chain. Our Murtfeldt chain guide rails and deflection elements complete this optimal operating set-up. They regulate the total force on the slack strand, resulting from the weight of the chain and centrifugal force, and keep it under control.
Interested in a tensioning system for your belts and need more information? Contact us!
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Optimal installation situation
Chain tensioning systems work exclusively with the chain’s slack strand. The optimal installation position is closely behind the drive sprocket to keep the length of the slack strand to be tensioned as short as possible. The tensioning system should be positioned with its slide profile as perpendicular as possible to the chain to achieve the largest possible contact surface. The maximum permissible chain speed is 1 m/s. The permissible temperature range is an ambient temperature of -40°C to +60°C. We can develop custom solutions for higher temperature ranges on request.
Reverse operation
Our solution can also be used under dynamic operating conditions, such as reverse operation. When the direction of the drive is reversed, the loaded and slack strands alternate. Two Spann-Box® units are used in this specific situation. We also recommend the use of a return profile for optimal guidance and increased robustness.
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Picture gallery
Everything is possible!
Our Murtfeldt design engineers will be happy to advise you and, on request, design your chain or belt tensioner to meet your specifications.
Design and advantages of a chain tensioner from Murtfeldt
Murtfeldt tensioning systems reduce wear to chain links and drive sprockets. The availability of different tensioning systems ensures there are diverse installation options. Years of research and development have created an innovative product.
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Design of a chain tensioner
Our tensioning systems are particularly gentle on chains due to the oscillating spring concept used. So, unlike with rigid tensioning devices, excessive contact pressure is avoided. The tensioning force can be optimally adjusted with up to three freely selectable springs. Each spring can be released individually.
A variety of options to suit your requirements
We offer a range of different designs for optimal use in your applications.
The radius of the arc segment profile corresponds to a root diameter of 180 mm, which is about twice the size of a standard chain tension wheel.
The semi-circular profile is ideal for use where space is limited.
The 180° return profile offers the largest possible wrap angle for the chain and is, for example, ideal for use in reverse operations.
The block profile provides perfect guidance of the slide profile in the Spann-Box® housing through the monolithic design of the tension core and slide profile. This solution ensures maximum robustness even with strong dynamic forces.
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Special ambient conditions
Adaptation to your individual ambient conditions is always possible. Heat-resistant high-performance materials from our product selection can be used for applications at elevated temperatures. This makes application at temperatures exceeding 150°C is possible.
Murtfeldt plastics with high chemical resistance can also be used. Our stainless steel metal housings are used in addition to high-resistance plastic slide profiles. Our Spann-Box® models are also able to withstand corrosive environments.
Omega tensioning station
In need of a specific solution? We can develop a custom solution for you based on our standard range.
An example is the Murtfeldt Omega Spann-Box® assembly, which, thanks to its double deflection, maps a tension distance that is twice as wide. This solution is ideal for use with long chain strands with extensive sag.
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The SPANN-BOX® Guide
Information about tensioning systems
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General information about our tensioning systems
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