Custom manual clutch

[ddowns46]

Really clean piece there, nice one.
What would you estimate you could sell these for and still get a good margin?

Thanks. It's hard to nail a selling price down because it's still early on in the development process. I'm unsure how large the market is and how many could be sold per month and per year.

If I had to guess, I would say somewhere between $150-$300 depending on market size.

 

[OzFab]

What would you estimate you could sell these for and still get a good margin?

You have to remember, it's relative. Most of the cost of machine work like this is in the tooling/setup so, it's a lot cheaper on average to make ten than it is to make one as the setup only needs to be done once

 

[mckutzy]

That is so cool. By far the best representing for the smallest I have seen.


It looks like you have basically made a manual actuated friction cone clutch. It looks like the thing bolts right to the block, over the PTO, probably sliding on the shaft to maintain alignment and not needing another shaft for the output.
The output sprocket its connected to the outer cone with all the bolts holding it together.

I cant see if there is a spring or if it needs a outside spring for engagement/disengagement on the actuation lever(ring). After thinking about it, Does the sleeve slide along the length of the PTO, OR does it rotate in a counter/clockwise for engagement/disengagement.

Excellent work my friend.

 

[r_chez_08]

If you start producing these, look into doing a 7/8" and 20mm variant.

 

[gvfc2]

whats your predicted test date?

 

[ddowns46]

If you start producing these, look into doing a 7/8" and 20mm variant.

This would be very easy to do.

 

[ddowns46]

whats your predicted test date?

I've got a supplier lined up to do the clutch lining in Ohio- turnaround time will probably be about a 2-4 weeks. I'm going to see if I can find a shop that can do it locally though to reduce that time.

 

[beansdaddy78]

if they are at all affordable id love to have one or more for my toys. waiting to hear the cost . looks cool too

 

[Doc Sprocket]

...Forum guys get a heavy discount- right?

I'd love to see something like this available. Beats the heck out of a belt tensioner if you would prefer manual clutching.

 

[DS13]

...Forum guys get a heavy discount- right?

 

[ML-TOYS]

I love spending money, but i would have to wait until there are positive results based on all types of riding variables and hp varieties.

 

[fowler]

I'd love to get one
Not that I have any karts that require one but for our farm machinery

If u were to make an inch clutch and were able present figures on durability and hp rating then I'd be getting quite a few for our grain augers

Also how do I attach the sprocket to the clutch
It would be beificial to make it so the gears are easily swapped

Mckutsy
That's what I was thinking but was waiting for him to get him self together before releasing the design

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Again, I offer my services as a beta-tester!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

if the tests come out good, i would buy one! it seems like 50% of the problems people have with go karts are the clutch, that would be so cool if these can replace the old school centrifugal clutch. are there clutch pads in it that get worn over time and are easily replaceable?

 

[fowler]

It's a shame I'm not staying on the farm for longer as I would do some serous hp and durability testing in about the hottest dirtiest environment it will ever see
Being used in 40 plus heat for 16 hours a day
Hooked up to a 34hp Honda pushing a 8 in of grain 35 ft up

Being used by people who operate it like they stole it

I'd see how long it would really last

 

[ddowns46]

if they are at all affordable id love to have one or more for my toys. waiting to hear the cost . looks cool too

It will likely be around $150-$300 but it's really challenging to tell. The more that are sold, the lower the cost will be. Also, it is a near certainty that the final product will look very different to the pictures that I attached. I have already begun making changes to the drawings based on hands-on observations. This will continue until performance, manufacturability, and cost are in balance. In reality, this prototype is really just a proof of concept.

With that said, I am unbelievably excited and quite humbled by all of the responses on this forum! A number of posters have given excellent feedback that will play a critical role in how i approach the development of this product.

 

[ddowns46]

if the tests come out good, i would buy one! it seems like 50% of the problems people have with go karts are the clutch, that would be so cool if these can replace the old school centrifugal clutch. are there clutch pads in it that get worn over time and are easily replaceable?

There is a friction liner internally that will wear over time, but I believe that life expectancy will be very good. If a user does happen to wear it out, either a new liner could be applied, or the part that liner is bonded to could be replaced.

 

[ddowns46]

I'd love to get one
Not that I have any karts that require one but for our farm machinery

If u were to make an inch clutch and were able present figures on durability and hp rating then I'd be getting quite a few for our grain augers

Also how do I attach the sprocket to the clutch
It would be beificial to make it so the gears are easily swapped

With the current prototype design, the sprocket is not removable- but I believe that the next revision will incorporate a replaceable sprocket.

Making an inch clutch would be very easy to do.

 

[fowler]

It would be good to either key or spline a sprocket on

I'd need to fit pulleys to mine as chains are too dangerous for augers

 

[jamyers]

One question: When engaged or disengaged, are there side loads towards the engine, and if so is there some sort of thrust bearing?

I ask because when I was a kid I had a kart with a friction clutch (basically two pieces of steel with a sprocket sandwiched between them on the crankshaft, when "in gear" a lever/bearing pushed the sandwich together and made the sprocket turn). It worked well, but ate crankshaft bearings with the side load.