How to Measure a Trencher's Chain Pitch

Measure the pitch size. The pitch size is the measurement of the center of one pin to the center of the next pin. Place the start of the ruler in the center of the first pin on the trencher chain. Line the ruler up against the next pin. Find the center of the next pin in the chain. Read the number on the ruler to see what the number is. The number that is in the center of the second pin is the measurement of the trencher chain pitch. Depending on the width of the chain, you may be measuring in centimeters or inches.

Measure the number of pitches in the trencher chain. This measurement may be useful for determining whether or not you're using an appropriately sized trencher chain because the number of pitches adds length to the chain. Find this measurement by counting the number of spaces between pins. Start with the first pin. Between the first pin and the second pin is one pitch. The second pin to the third pin is two pitches. The third to the fourth is three pitches, and so on.

Measure the trencher chain pitches the same way, regardless of whether the trench chain has an Every 4th Pitch Attachment Spacing, Every 2nd Pitch Attachment Spacing, is an Anti-Backflex Chain or is a K-Style Chain.