Max-Torque clutch red hot!

[violent b]

Hi everyone,
Here is my problem: I have a 10 tooth Max-Torque clutch with a 60 tooth axel sprocket driven by a 6.5hp Harbor Freight motor. It's on a Yerf Dog like go-cart frame (I don't really know what kind it is, I bought it off a guy). I have 20 x 10.00-8 tires in the back and I'm 200 pounds. sometimes one of my kids will ride with me so that adds another 50-80 pounds.

when I would go ride the go-cart on mainly flat ground, it wouldn't take long for the clutch to get burning hot, I mean really hot, I burned my finger touching it (yes I know, stupid move).

so I have a 6:1 ratio, is that too much for the clutch with the size tires on it? I'm not really sure what the issue is that's why I'm asking for help.
Thanks everyone,
Bill

 

[jman231994]

Yea, thats way too high for wheels that big. Quite likely you would need a torque converter for wheels that large or at minimum a decent jackshaft setup. Someone else on here will be able to give you a much better description of how to set it up and everything.

 

[Jcotz]

Yes, the wheel size is the problem. Your best bet is probably to just get a larger axle sprocket to make your gearing more plausible.

 

[r_chez_08]

We need a sticky about this- one of these questions turn up every day...
You need a jackshaft, torque converter or larger rear sprocket.

 

[landuse]

As the guys have said, tyres are a problem there. Normally a 6:1 ratio would be pretty good, but in this case not. I would suggest going with a bigger rear sprocket, or smaller tyres.

The problem with getting a bigger sprocket could be ground clearance. If a bigger sprocket will still clear the ground, then good. If not, you are going to have to invest in a jackshaft. This way you can use smaller sprockets to achieve the same gearing as what one large sprocket would give you.

 

[jman231994]

Aswell as what everyone has said, I think you will struggle to get a suitable sprocket which is big enough. i was at one point looking at roughly 20" wheels and ended up thinking I'd need something like a 108 tooth sprocket just to have some fun.....But, it all depends on how and where you intend to ride.

 

[violent b]

thanks everyone for the input. I'm not opposed to getting smaller tires, they are in need of replacing anyway. so a bigger axel sprocket would be needed if I kept the same size tires? I was thinking just the opposite, seeing that the clutch was working so hard to turn the axel that a smaller sprocket would make life easier on the clutch. but then I'm just a noob when it comes to go carts, this is the first one I ever owned and I'm 40

I'm not looking to go 40mph, but just something I can have fun on and let the kids ride with me.
I was thinking a TC would be a better choice, I know the cost is higher, but if it works better then I'm all for it. now is there limitations to a TC? would the clutch be a better choice?
Thanks for all your guys help with this.

 

[Jcotz]

With a tc, you will have far better performance, but I think you might need a jackshaft setup.

 

[jman231994]

Yea, a larger axle sprocket is easier for the clutch to turn because for every revolution of the clutch sprocket the axle sprocket will turn a fraction of a turn. So for a 6:1 gear ratio, ie: 72 teeth axle, 12 clutch. The clutch will have to turn 6 times for the axle sprocket to turn once. The engine has less trouble doing lots of easy turns than it does doing, say, one hard one. Thus a larger axle sprocket is better for more torque.

The opposite works for the clutch sprocket if you want more power, decrease the size. Because it will still change that ratio in the same way.

And a torque converter is better 90% of the time. I dont even know why its not 100%, could be? hahaha I just dont want to get yelled at by someone who doesnt like torque converters. As Jcotz said, you might need a jackshaft to further reduce the gear ratio aswell as to mount the torque converter. I've never even seen a TC in person so I'm probably not the most helpful in that regard. Good luck with it