Cutting chain

A cutter link for a cutting chain comprising:

• a pair of side plates;
• an arcuate support member bridging the side plates, the arcuate support member having a convex outer surface;
• at least one cutting member attached onto the support member;
• and
• a drag plate attached to the outer surface of the support member.

A cutting chain comprising a plurality of cutter links forming an endless chain, wherein at least one cutter link comprises:

• a support member comprising:
• a pair of spaced planar side sections;
• a bridge section interposed between the side sections, the bridge section comprising an arcuate support surface formed in a medial portion thereof, the support surface having a convex outer surface;
• a drag plate attached to the outer surface of the bridge section;
• and
• a plurality of cutting members supported by the support surface.

A cutter link for a cutting chain comprising:

• a support member having an arcuate support surface with a convex outer surface;
• a drag plate attached to the outer surface of the support member;
• and
• a plurality of cutting members disposed in laterally offset relationship at substantially the same longitudinal position on the arcuate support surface;
• wherein the support member and the cutting members are adapted to permit substantially unrestricted selection of the lateral position of each cutting member on the arcuate support surface of the support member.

A cutting chain comprising a plurality of cutter links with a strap link joining adjacent cutter links forming an endless chain, wherein at least one cutter link comprises:

• a pair of side plates;
• a support member bridging the side plates, the support member having an arcuate support surface with a convex outer surface;
• and
• wherein the support member is characterized by an unobstructed arcuate interior passage that extends substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the cutting chain;
• and
• a drag plate attached to the outer surface of the support member.

A cutting chain comprising a plurality of cutter links interconnected by strap links to form an endless chain, wherein at least one cutter link comprises:

• a pair of side plates;
• a support member bridging the side plates, the support member having a convex outer surface;
• a drag plate supported on the outer surface of the support member;
• and
• a pair of fastening members disposed adjacent the drag plate and adapted to connect each side plate to a strap link wherein the drag plate is characterized having depending side portions which shield the fastening members.