Compared to a belt drive, a chain drive is generally characterized by

Concept:

The power is transmitted from one shaft to the other by means of belts, ropes, chains, and gears.

Chain drives 

• Chain drives are the positive types of the drive-in in which chain and sprocket mechanism are used to transmit the power by engaging the teeth of the sprocket with gaps in the chain.
• As there will be no slip or loss while transmission so they are positive drives.
•  As the distance of transmission is more in the case of bicycle motorcycle and coal, chain drives are used for transmission of power.

• The belts and ropes are flexible members which are used where the distance between the two shafts is large
• The chains also have flexibility but they are preferred for intermediate distances
• The gears are used when the shafts are very close to each other
• This type of drive is also called a positive drive because there is no slip
• If the distance is slightly larger, chain drive can be used for making it a positive drive
• Belts and ropes transmit power due to the friction between the belt or rope and the pulley
• There is a possibility of slip and creep and that is why this drive is not a positive drive
• The gear drive and chain drive are positive drives