mAINTENANCE (new style clutch)
How it works
The Multi-Clutch functions much like a standard CVT system. As the engine RPM’s increase, the drive or primary clutch closes, forcing the belt to ride outwards on the drive sheaves. The closing of the drive clutch also forces the belt to open the driven or secondary sheaves.The opening and closing of these sheaves creates a ratio variation… hence CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission.
Belt protection is achieved within the Multi-Clutch through the use of a series of centrifugal clutches.While most CVT systems have a loose or slack belt while the engine idles, the sheaves of those systems are constantly rotating and wearing on the belt.
Those systems also require the stationary belt to be pinched by the constantly rotating sheaves during startup. The relative rotation of the sheaves to the belt causes unnecessary wear on the belt. With traditional CVT systems, wear on the belt happens any time the engine is idling and at every start up of the driven equipment.This is where the Multi-Clutch differs from the other CVT’s.
The Multi-Clutch utilizes two centrifugal clutches (the starter clutch system) to drive the sheaves of the drive (primary) clutch. What that means is that the belt can remain tight in the sheaves, and that both the sheaves and the belt are stationary while the vehicle is idling.This eliminates the belt wear at an idle, and during start up, while also providing one additional form of belt protection.
The centrifugal clutches (starter clutch) can act as overload protection as well. In cases where too much torque is trying to be transmitted to the belt, the centrifugals can slip before the maximum load on the belt is achieved.What this means is that instead of the belt slipping on the sheaves during an overload, the centrifugals will first slip further protecting the belt from damage.
page 36 — HHXg5 RIDE-ON TROWEL • operation manual — rev. #1 (10/25/10)