Slip Clutch Adjustment, per Sweet Tractors

[theboman]

Here is a cut/copy/paste from Ken Sweet on my question on adjusting the Slip Clutch that comes on the First Choice Tillers he sells. I am so impressed with all the fast answers he's given me, and I still love the tiller!

"The clutch is preset for most applications--However adjusting or resetting is very simple-----there is a ring of nuts and springs on the clutch itself---by turing the ring of nuts in 1/2 turn, you effectively, make it harder to slip. Likewise, by backing off the nuts a little, allows the clutch to more easily slip----There is not really a specific setting that can be preset and take care of all applications. Most customers that have clutches on rotary cutters or rototillers etc, will set clutch a little loose in roots, rocks, tall winding grasses or difficult field conditions for more protection and then tighten back up for areas that are loose and maybe have no potential of binding the tiller. We always reccomend that every spring season, all slip clutches be backed up until they slip a little and then re tighten to desired setting (usually where it was last time used). This procedure insures that the clutch does not set through the winter or maybe outside in the rain and get locked up by rust or even condensation can do a number on them, even indoors."

 

[OverlyRun]

Bo,

Is there a way to do this if the nuts are not uniformly tight...or loose.... to begin with? Since you want to end up with equal pressure all around, is it better to tighten them all down tight (say, to the same torque, or to the same compressed length) and then back them off equally...to the point of slippage and then tighten to suit?

Chas

 

[kyoders]

Chas,

You should probably tighten them to a consistent position. I found several manufacturer's instructions for adjusting them, and they all said to tighten for a starting position, not loosen. I thought about trying to use the same torque, but couldn't convince myself that torque would necessarily be consistent. Instead, I took them all the way down until the springs were completely compressed, then backed off the same amount on each. Keep in mind that I'm a complete novice at this, others could give you an "expert" opinion, although the experts are pobably sick of slip-clutch questions from me.

Kevin