New HKK 50-2 Chain Too Narrow on Sprockets

[Planter Bob]

I bought 40' of HKK 50-2 chain on eBay for only $80. The four 5' chains on the two rear axles of my mid 80's 8x8 Argo I/C went on just fine, but my mid- and forward sprockets all have problems with the new chain going on them. They are super tight, and the chain appears to be about .020" or so narrower than the sprockets. The pitch of .625" is perfect, and I didn't change out any sprockets. Previous chain was stretched Diamond. The stretch was less than 1/4" over 5'.

Has anyone ever experienced this before with new chain?

It is flat-out strange. I'm not going to be bumming too much if I have to just toss the rest of this chain, as 20' of new chain on the two rear axles for only $4 a foot is still a good deal in my book!

For now, I'm tempted to just put on the best of my old Diamond chain on my mid- and forward axles and call it even.

Thanks,

Planter Bob

[Rock Doctor]

I don't know what to say.......I have not run into that problem.

[Paquette]

What I did was take my rear chains (longest ones) and use them in the centre position. I was able to take up any slack caused by stretch with the use of a half link. Then I installed new Morse chain on the rear drives. I paid $15.00 a foot for the Morse. I'm interested to see how long your $4.00 / foot chain lasts.

[newargoowner]

What year is your argo? I have an '87 and am looking at HKK chain for 10.57 / ft. I was concerned about having the same issue.

[Cyclone67]

G'day Planter Bob
I just re-chained my 85 Argo and I had the same thing happen with the chain from the idler to the second axle. It appeared miles short and I thought I had miscounted the links when I cut the chain to length. On closer inspection the chain was not locating properly in the idler sprocket as the teeth were worn. This was not evident with the old chain as the sprocket and chain had worn down/stretched together (sort of like an old married couple.!)

Any way I bought a gold plated idler shaft from Argo for $324 and the problem is fixed. They told me it was the only one left in Australia, so I felt the need to buy it quickly.

New idler shaft in and now the new chain fits perfectly. This may be your problem.
Cheers
Cyclone