Lawn Trimmer Clutch??

djincnj

16 years ago

One more question for the uninformed. I'm painfully ignorant when it comes to the engines and their counterparts.

How does having a clutch on a trimmer help?

Thanx

D

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Comments (7)

echoman
16 years ago
Clutches are usually found on straight shaft models with gear box heads that drive not only string line heads, but can also be attached to a broom, tiller, blower, or saw attachments. It allows for safety at engine idle to keep the units from turning. It also allows for a "slip joint" connection should the drive attachment strike a hard object under throttle saving the driveline from damage. The main reason clutches are used is as it provides the engine to reach an optimum power band to engage the tool it's driving to begin it's work.
djincnj
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanx echoman
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To add to weed_cutter's info, I've never seen a Sears trimmer without a half-crank engine. You'll never see a sub-$100 trimmer without that - it's just too expensive to build them that way. For the OP's info (you may already know, but just in case): a "half-crank" engine has the crankshaft exiting only one side of the crankcase; whereas the "full-crank" engines have crankshaft exits on both front and rear of the case. That may sound trivial, but it's not. Structurally, the half-crank engine's crankshaft is only supported by a bearing on the front side and is therefore loading in single-shear by the piston/rod; whereas the full-crank engine has another full bearing on the rear exit and is in much more desirable double shear. This also allows the pull-starter to be affixed to the back of the machine, making it very simple to replace if/when it breaks; whereas on the half-crank models a broken starter usually means tossing the trimmer and buying a new one because of the complexity of replacement of the starter, which is on the front of the engine between the engine and driveshaft. Finally, the half-crank models are likely to use plain bushing bearings, which is great on a 4-stroke with an oil sump and pump, but not good on a 2-cycle running on gas/oil mix. That's all just for information's sake, not for persuasive argument. It's not to say you can't trim your yard with a cheaper model, if your yard is small and you're only trimming grass and not brush. Besides weed-cutter's advice, I'd add that you may want to put the various models in your hands and see how they "fit" you. I think most curved-shaft models are too short for most men, and definitely so for anybody even slightly taller than average. So if one of those models has longer shaft (no comments, please!), then I'd strongly consider it (if you're height requires it). I also can't imagine getting a trimmer without a clutch. I didn't even know they still made them that way. I would consider that a necessity.
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nevada_walrus
16 years ago
1. Allows cutterhead to stop turning when engine is at idle. Primary reason. Allows some small degree of additonal safety and allows setting unit down without concern of cutterhead contacting objects and walking around.

2. Makes starting easier as weight from cutterhead does not need to be overcome when cranking engine.

3. Will absorb some impact load when cutterhead strikes immovable object to minimize or prevent component damage. Drive shaft, flywheel key.

Actual operational benefit, zero.
1saxman
16 years ago
It's a centrifugal clutch - you don't have to do anything but work the throttle. The clutch should last the life of the engine as there is little to no slippage involved on a trimmer.
weed_cutter
16 years ago
What logical answers. I just thought it was there to keep me from flailing the ground when starting the trimmer and keep me from stopping the engine when I want to advance line. I never have figured out how to bump the head without leaving a crop circle so I just set the trimmer down, depress the bump button and pull out the line. I never wanted to grind the bump head on concrete.
echoman
16 years ago
That's about the safest way to do that weed cutter in terms of protecting your equipment. I've seen most others use the opposite approach which can be rather comical at times, not to metion pretty rough on the driveline and string head!
1saxman
16 years ago
'That's about the safest way to do that weed cutter in terms of protecting your equipment. I've seen most others use the opposite approach which can be rather comical at times, not to metion pretty rough on the driveline and string head!'

I don't mind telling you that I hit mine fairly hard on concrete, asphalt, slate, bare spots or any other firm surface to advance the line. Yes, the bump knob has a hole worn in it but it still works. The trimmer is 13 years old. If I had to turn it off and advance the line manually I think I would trash it.

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Lawn Trimmer Clutch??

Comments (7)

echoman

djincnj
Original Author

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Lawn Trimmer Clutch??

Comments (7)

echoman

djincnjOriginal Author

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djincnj
Original Author