OEM Devices

Friction clutches are typical torque limiting devices that use friction as a means to limit the amount of torque that can be delivered to your implement. These clutches use one of two types of springs, pigtail orflat (belleville).

Historically, a friction clutch is a simple, reliable method of protecting equipment. But be warned. The torque setting of any "friction" device changes as the discs and related parts wear. Factory settings are only good at the factory. Use caution when adjusting or changing the setting of your clutch!

Purpose: Friction Clutches can be used as a startup clutch for accelerating large masses; short-term peak torques are limited without interrupting work.
Features: Easily serviceable - Friction Clutches are serviced by replacing friction discs.
Typical Applications: Mowers, rotary cultivators, rotary cutters, combine headers, grain carts, tillers, trenchers, big balers, fans, forage harvesters, etc.

Overrunning devices are designed to limit direction. Torque can be transmitted in only one direction (designated 'left' and 'right' hand rotation).

Purpose: Overrunning Clutches protect the drive against the effects of rotating masses; no overload protection.
Features: Low maintenance clutch.
Typical Applications: Mowers, fans, forage harvesters, balers, flail shredders, potato harvesters, etc.

how an overrunning device works

Shear bolt devices will 'break' at a given torque load determined by the bolt diameter and location. The broken bolt must then be replaced to continue operation.

Purpose: Completely interrupts the flow of power.
Features: Ease of service - Shear Bolt Clutches are serviced by replacing the shear bolt.
Typical Applications: Liquid manure pumps, manure spreaders, grain carts, mixers, economy balers, snow blowers, etc.

Cut-out Clutches serve the same purpose as shear bolts, stopping power altogether when maximum torque is exceeded.

Purpose: Completely interrupts the flow of power.
Features:Automatic reset when RPMs reach zero.
Typical Applications: Liquid manure pumps, manure spreaders, grain carts, mixers, economy balers, snow blowers, etc.

Radial Pin Clutches can be identified by their ribbed housings.

Purpose: Interrupts the power flow in the event of overloading with a pulsating torque that can be used to clear the machine.
Features: Minimal maintenance is required for Radial Pin Clutches; emits an audible warning when the clutch is slipping.
Typical Applications: Rotary tedders/windrowers, pick-ups, post hole diggers, feedroll drives, combine heads, sugar beet and potato harvesters, individual protection in corn headers, protection of feeders/conveyors in cutting sections, etc.

Elastic clutches are designed to absorb shock loads and vibrations not associated with torque, such as hammerring.

Purpose: Absorb shock loads.
Features: Rubber element will minimize torsional vibrations as well as hammerring or pounding loads inherent in the implement.
Typical Applications: Rock crushers

Combination clutches combine friction and directional (overrunning) protection. Although quite expensive, we are very supportive of their use. Twenty years of seeing worn out shafts coming in for repairs tell us that they WORK.

We see less wear and tear on the drivelines attached to combo-clutches and we see them less often.

So often a drivetrain system incures wear from shock loads in either direction. Overrunning protection insures only one direction of torque transmission (no backlash); and a well maintained friction clutch minimizes damage done by peak torque loads or surging.