A bucket elevator chain is an endless chain (ring or plate) that provides the traction mechanism to lift buckets carrying abrasive, hot, and heavy materials like coal, cement, and ore over moderate heights, typically up to 40 meters. In contrast, a bucket elevator belt is an endless belt that lifts buckets carrying non-abrasive, cooler, and lighter materials like grains and fertilizers, with the flexibility to achieve higher lifting heights but limited temperature and abrasion resistance compared to chains. Chain bucket elevators have a more rigid structure with chains and sprockets, making them noisier and prone to vibration, while belt bucket elevators operate more smoothly and quietly with a simpler belt and pulley design.