DDeJAegher
New member
I have a homemade clutch and when I get to engauge, it makes a horrible squeaking noise. The chain is pretty tight. I can easily loosen it if that's the problem.
Chain the problem?
- Thread starter DDeJAegher
- Start date
- Status
firemanjim
Just kartin' around....
Well, we need pics to see what's going on, or we are just shooting in the dark..... 
ML-TOYS
New member
Homemade clutch ??
mckutzy
Well-known member
Metal on metal I'm guessing... ?
Poboy kartman
Senior Moments Member
'Nuff said......
firemanjim
Just kartin' around....
I see whatcha did there.....
DDeJAegher
New member
The problem is that it is difficult to start. If my dad gives a bit of a push to get going, its fine once it starts. It also doesn't go slow at all. (Not that I'm complaning) if there is a lower gear ratio, it will go a bit slower and have more torque to have a better start off. Would a sprocket wityh more teeth ne better?
again .. without pics (info on ratio at least) it'll be hard to tell;
but most likely yes, with a better gear ratio it'll run better
soooo start at the common 6:1 ratio
(six times the teeth for your axle than you have on the clutch)
and report back...
ORRRR just provide the infos we've asked for (i.e. pics for example)
'sid
but most likely yes, with a better gear ratio it'll run better
soooo start at the common 6:1 ratio
(six times the teeth for your axle than you have on the clutch)
and report back...
ORRRR just provide the infos we've asked for (i.e. pics for example)
'sid
DDeJAegher
New member
Engine pulley, 4.5"
Jackshaft in, 10"
Jackshaft out, 12 teeth
Axle sprocket, 36 teeth
Wheel dia, 18"
#50 chain.
Jackshaft in, 10"
Jackshaft out, 12 teeth
Axle sprocket, 36 teeth
Wheel dia, 18"
#50 chain.
overall ratio 6.67:1 so that'd be good for up to 15" wheels (or smaller)
with 18" wheels you'd need another 1.1 I guess (that'd be a 43T axle sprocket making it a total of 7.96:1)
-assuming you run a 6.5HP engine- that should do.
And NO (in case you wonder) you cannot get bigger wheels to compensate for the speed loss, that's the whole pont.
you can also get smaller rear wheels if you like (but that's more expensive)
Also... #50 chain?!
that's big... I'd take a #40 instead, because all parts are cheaper incl the chain itself
I guess you can have the two sprockets for less than what a #50 sprocket will cost.
and the chain is drawing less power from your engine
'sid
with 18" wheels you'd need another 1.1 I guess (that'd be a 43T axle sprocket making it a total of 7.96:1)
-assuming you run a 6.5HP engine- that should do.
And NO (in case you wonder) you cannot get bigger wheels to compensate for the speed loss, that's the whole pont.
you can also get smaller rear wheels if you like (but that's more expensive)
Also... #50 chain?!
that's big... I'd take a #40 instead, because all parts are cheaper incl the chain itself
I guess you can have the two sprockets for less than what a #50 sprocket will cost.
and the chain is drawing less power from your engine
'sid
DDeJAegher
New member
I have a 14 hp motor.
So, what size sprocket on the axle would be ideal?
So, what size sprocket on the axle would be ideal?
DDeJAegher
New member
I definately have enough power. Its just the start up. Once I'm going, is really moves.
firemanjim
Just kartin' around....
Kinda sounds lime you might have a little bit of belt slip, causing your problem...... I think..... LoL 
DDeJAegher
New member
That belt gets super tight when the petal is pushed and the engine stalls.
Once again.......
DDeJAegher
New member
It is 1am. I'm ot going out to take any pics. Lol.
What do you mean you aren't going to go out and take pics!! It is 9 in the morning here by me already!!!
with 14hp the engine should have enough torque to move a light to midweight kart on 18" wheels... with an overall ratio of almost 7:1
BUT only at it's high torque rpm.
a centrifugal clutch takes care of that for you.. it engages around that rpms
and thus the kart will take off.
with a belt clutch you'll be the one who needs to set rpm, and not just any.
should be about 2000 - 2600 for good torque I guess (not knowing the engine, but assuming some industrial/mower engine is used)
bad news is, at 2000 rpm the belt travels at quite some speed already (at ~27mph)
so it's perfectly normal that it'll slip at first (that's your horrible squeaking noise)
so with a belt clutch I'm afraid you need to gear as you would a much smaller engine,
to get to a point where about half of that rpm is capable of accelerating your kart.
(and that'll make it very slow in the end)
it's all mower parts I assume?
mower engine and belts.. mower wheels, right?
basically the former top speed of the mower is what you need to gear for -a tiny bit more-
in order to make the belt clutch reliable (and silent)
'sid
BUT only at it's high torque rpm.
a centrifugal clutch takes care of that for you.. it engages around that rpms
and thus the kart will take off.
with a belt clutch you'll be the one who needs to set rpm, and not just any.
should be about 2000 - 2600 for good torque I guess (not knowing the engine, but assuming some industrial/mower engine is used)
bad news is, at 2000 rpm the belt travels at quite some speed already (at ~27mph)
so it's perfectly normal that it'll slip at first (that's your horrible squeaking noise)
so with a belt clutch I'm afraid you need to gear as you would a much smaller engine,
to get to a point where about half of that rpm is capable of accelerating your kart.
(and that'll make it very slow in the end)
it's all mower parts I assume?
mower engine and belts.. mower wheels, right?
basically the former top speed of the mower is what you need to gear for -a tiny bit more-
in order to make the belt clutch reliable (and silent
)'sid
DDeJAegher
New member
The engine is from an old auger, atv tires but the belt might be from a mower. The belt slips at first and the engine stalls. Would I need to change the way I use the petals? Once its moving, its good.
you can try, but I think you'll just burn the belt before it moves.
you need to either gear much lower or get rid of the belt completely
(which will not be possible on a vertical shaft engine.. chains don't like to run horizontally)
or get a huge toothed belt and toothed pulleys...
but that'll be utterly expensive I'm afraid.
'sid
you need to either gear much lower or get rid of the belt completely
(which will not be possible on a vertical shaft engine.. chains don't like to run horizontally)
or get a huge toothed belt and toothed pulleys...
but that'll be utterly expensive I'm afraid.
'sid
- Status