Idle curiosity on clutch disc types

Texasmark · Dec 10, 2016

Just saw a clutch disc with 5 (give or take) pads, vs a standard 360 degree "brake shoe material" type clutch disc. that you normally see. Anybody have any real world info about why you would prefer one over the other. Are the pad types made out of a really hard material like ceramic or something similar?

Thanks,
Mark

SimS · Dec 11, 2016

You guessed right. The pad/button type clutch disc are generally for heavy duty or severe service. They can be "grabby" because they lock up quicker than standard full face discs.

SimS

pmsmechanic · Dec 11, 2016

SimS said:
You guessed right. The pad/button type clutch disc are generally for heavy duty or severe service. They can be "grabby" because they lock up quicker than standard full face discs.

SimS

They also require you to replace your flywheel more often as they wear the surface more than an organic clutch face. But they are an awesome solution to a hard clutch use situation like heavy front end loader work.

Working on Rust · Dec 11, 2016

We put a 5 pad ceramic in our older gear tractor when we did the clutch last year. It had a standard disc in it before. When we went to order the pressure plate and clutch disc they asked do you have a loader on it, yes and also with substantial snowblower use it makes sense to spend a little more for the 5 pad ceramic clutch disc and reconditioned pressure plate with the heaver springs for hopefully longer clutch life. It has only been a 100 hours so far but it seems fine and the clutch engagement is smoother than the worn out disc we replaced.