Engine to trans help

   / Engine to trans help #1  

Ron25

Bronze Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
65
I have an old Murray mower just collecting dust so I've decided to fab it into something, but I'm not really sure what it'll end up being - lol.

Anyway, I have it all apart and what I want to do is place the 12hp engine directly on top of the 5 speed transaxle. The present "clutch" is nothing more than an idler pulley that releases tension on the belt.

What I could use help with is the clutch. With the engine connected directly to the trans, what type of clutch could be used? I thought about using couplings with inserts and just throttle down to shift but doubt that would last very long.

If you have any ideas, I would help to give a link to the clutch type you are talking about ..

Thanks,
Ron
 
   / Engine to trans help #2  
If you just want to couple and uncouple the engine from the transmission probably the easiest way would be to use a releasing type lovejoy coupler. And no a lovejoy coupler is not a sex toy. :D Lovejoy Try giving them a call, their tech support line is top notch and should be able to recomend the correct lovejoy coupler for the application.
 
   / Engine to trans help
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Lovejoy - that's the type of coupling I was talking about, but couldn't recall the name. I didn't know they made so many kinds though. We only used the simple ones with three fingers on each with the rubber inserts, way back when I worked as a machinist.

My thinking when using that type was how to engage/disengage the coupling when shifting gears on the transaxle.

Looking at the site I'm not sure what type would be best, but I think you got me going in the right direction - Thanks!

Well .. just called Lovejoy and they said everything they make is direct connect. The only way to use anything they have would be to shut-off the engine to engage/disengage. They suggested using some type of slip-clutch .. any ideas?
 
   / Engine to trans help #4  
Maybe some type of centrifugal clutch? Remember if you move the motor to the rear, and you sit in the rear, the front end is going to be really light.
 
   / Engine to trans help #5  
OK, this is out of the way out of the box thinking. What if you made the engine so that it could slide side to side just a bit. You could then install one clutch plate on the tranny and one on the engine crank shaft. Fab up a lever that would then shift the engine over so that the two clutch plates meet.
 
   / Engine to trans help
  • Thread Starter
#6  
kwolfe - I'm all for thinking out if the box, it's kinda why I'm wanting to do this. I had though about just moving the engine back and use the same setup on the mower now and just use a shorter belt. But I want to make it more compact, hence engine on transaxle.

I actually thought about doing something like you suggested, but raise/lower the engine onto the large pulley on the trans, and on the engine shaft mount some sort of friction pad, like a brake pad. Wouldn't have to move much, maybe 1/8th".

RobJ - don't know if a centrifugal clutch would/wouldn't work. As for the weight, I am thinking about maybe making a platform behind the rear wheels to stand on. The front would be weighted ..

What I have in mind is this becoming is a fert spreader, maybe haul wood with, etc. I know, I know .. why not just hitch and pull, but that'd be no fun.
 
Last edited:
   / Engine to trans help #7  
Ron25 said:
I know, I know .. why not just hitch and pull, but that'd be no fun.

hehe, I tell my brother in law all the time...why buy hay at $50 a bale when you can bale it yourself for $100.
 
   / Engine to trans help
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I haven't had time to fool with this lately but I'm not sure it'll work anyway. If it's directly connected to the tansaxle, wouldn't I lose the ratio that the small engine pulley to the large trans one gives?

I'll likely just move it back as far as possible and keep the idler pulley set up already on it.
 

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