Lawn mower clutch

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JTSpeedDemon

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No, not usually....
Push mowers at least are usually direct drive, with no clutch.
And if they did, it would certainly NOT hold up to 16 Hp and a lot of weight!!
Most mower engines are in the 3-5 HP range, so quadrupling the input power is a very bad idea!
If you need a clutch, please do yourself a favor and don't take shortcuts that can hurt you.
 

mckutzy

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Riding mowers typically have a belt drive system.... They typically also use a transaxle and the main input shaft is in the vertical position...
 

Kaptain Krunch

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Most are a belt tensioner clutch, Which would work for a higher horsepower engine. However you would have to fab a tensioner, clutch pedal, and would be stuck with one speed.

Some garden tractors have a shaft drive, with clutch pack much like a car. These may or may not hold up to the abuse, but are generally built into the transmission anyways so adapting would be very difficult.

Just buy a clutch.
 

Kartorbust

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Do you already have the riding mower in hand or no? The only time a mower would ever have a centrifugal clutch is if it's a race mower, either FXS/XT (Factory Expiermental Single or Twin) or any other class of tractor. Some do run the belt clutch, however if they are just bombing around the yard or something or having friends/family ride it, they have to swap out the belt quite often.

It would not be hard at all to make a kart with a vertical shaft engine, but it will be expensive. To keep it compact you would need to build it in a front engine, not unlike a lawn tractor. You'll need to make a chain tensioner and from the clutch to a right angle gearbox, (I'd recommend at least a 2:1, 2 revolutions in 1 out), on the input side of the RAGB, 25 tooth, and 10 on the output. On the axle, have a 60 tooth sprocket. With all that, the rear can be either fully independent suspension or a swingarm like you find on a utility ATV or race quad. With that much gear reduction, I believe you will not burn out the clutch, however you will not be going very fast.

If you do not have an engine, i would strongly suggest getting a horizontal shaft engine. Briggs, Predator, Kholer, Honda, Champion, Rato, etc as it will be a bit cheaper than buying a right angle gearbox to take a vertical engine to a horizontal. As well as not having to worry so much about chain alignment in that orientation. Its takes a bit of imagination.
 

JTSpeedDemon

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What kind?
Some ATVs have a Forward Neutral Reverse gearbox, and some have a torque converter, and some have a centrifugal clutch.
But I highly doubt if they had a clutch, I highly doubt it would fit, have a suitable tooth count, etc., etc.
The best option is really to BUY a clutch.
 
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