A rotating mechanical part with radial teeth designed to engage the links of a chain or a belt. Unlike gears, which mesh directly with other gears, these wheels work exclusively with a flexible transmission element to transfer torque over a distance. They are used in everything from timing drives in engines to the tracks on heavy excavators.
Heard on the job
The chain keeps jumping because the teeth on the drive sprocket are hooked from wear.
Also heard as
- sprocket wheel
Do not mix it up with
- Planet wheel: A sprocket drives a chain or belt, whereas a planet wheel is a gear that meshes directly with other gears.