Debarking chain having bent links

A flail-type debarking chain configured for attachment to a debarking drum of a flail type debarking machine;

• the debarking chain comprising:
• a plurality of interconnected chain links including two end links and a plurality of intermediate links that interconnect with each other and the respective end links in series so that each of the end links are interconnected only with a single intermediate link and each intermediate link is interconnected with two interconnected links;
• the debarking chain having first and second ends;
• each chain link being a continuous strand of chain material surrounding and defining a central opening through which the continuous strand of chain material of any adjacent, interconnected chain link passes;
• the plurality of intermediate links including at least two bent links;
• wherein each of the bent links have first and second opposing end sections spaced apart from one another by first and second side sections of the continuous strand of chain material;
• wherein each of the first and second opposing end sections reside generally within a plane;
• the first end section residing generally within a first plane and the second end section residing generally within a section plane;
• wherein each of the respective bent links is bent which is bent proximate each of the respective side sections such that the first plane resides at a bend angle with respect to the second plane of from about 5 to about 90 degrees.

A method of debarking tree logs, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a flail-type debarking machine for debarking tree logs;
• the flail-type debarking machine having a debarking drum;
• b) providing flail-type debarking chain for attachment to the debarking drum;
• the debarking chain including a plurality of interconnected chain links including two end links and a plurality of intermediate links that interconnect with each other and the respective end links in series so that each of the end links are interconnected only with a single intermediate link;
• the debarking chain having first and second ends;
• each chain link being a continuous strand of chain material surrounding and defining a central opening through which the continuous strand of chain material of any adjacent, interconnected chain link passes;
• the plurality of interconnected chain links including at least two bent links;
• wherein each of the bent links have first and second opposing end sections spaced apart from one another by first and second side sections of the continuous strand of chain material;
• wherein each of the first and second opposing end sections reside generally within a plane;
• the first end section residing generally within a first plane and the second end section residing generally within a section plane;
• wherein each of the respective bent links is bent proximate both of the respective side sections such that the first plane resides at a bend angle with respect to the second plane of from about 5 to about 90 degrees;
• c) attaching the debarking chain to the debarking drum;
• and
• d) debarking tree logs with the flail-type debarking machine.