Auto clutch

stumpy · April 26, 2007, 07:40:40 PM

Does anyone know if the auto clutch will fit on an LT30 Kohler 25?

Bibbyman · April 26, 2007, 08:09:31 PM

Sparks can answer that one in the morning when he gets on... But if your mill is relatively new, I'm guessing it will.

stumpy · April 26, 2007, 10:33:51 PM

Thanks Bibby. By the way, for those of you that have an auto clutch, how do you like it?

BBTom · April 26, 2007, 10:37:00 PM

Seein as how I gots the 42 Horsey oil burner, I wouldn't have it any other way.

In other words, I Love it!!!

Gary_C · April 26, 2007, 10:52:01 PM

Never sawed without it, never want too. Sure it takes some fiddling with the adjustment at times, but lifting those larger engines (33 HP Kubota) without it would not be fun. 8)

Brucer · April 27, 2007, 01:35:13 AM

I installed one last September. It's now mandatory equipment on any mill I buy in the future.

For the first week or so, I'd sometimes find myself reaching for an empty piece of air with my right hand ;D. I also had my left thumb cramp up for a couple of days.

Bibbyman · April 27, 2007, 02:18:33 AM

Quote from: Gary_C on April 26, 2007, 10:52:01 PM
Never sawed without it, never want too. Sure it takes some fiddling with the adjustment at times, but lifting those larger engines (33 HP Kubota) without it would not be fun. 8)

I had a fit figuring out how to adjust the linkage on our AutoClutch. Then I figured out that I could just move the motor to make main belt adjustment. I haven't adjusted the AutoClutch linkage in years. That may not be possible with an engine.

MartyParsons · April 27, 2007, 05:17:48 AM

Auto Clutch will fit 1997 LT30/40 (and LT70) and newer. All remote or command control mills come standard with Auto Clutch. 024636 is the part #. this comes with instructions and all hardware you need to install it. Will fit all electric motor and engines options.
Marty

DR Buck · April 27, 2007, 06:37:38 AM

It's an easy installation. I added mine about a year and a half ago. Don't know how I got by without it!

Dan_Shade · April 27, 2007, 07:57:56 AM

I love mine. it will be a high priority if I upgrade again

OneWithWood · April 27, 2007, 11:38:13 AM

One of the best additions I made to my mill.

Tom Sawyer · April 27, 2007, 06:19:52 PM

I love it and would not buy a mill without it.

big_sid · April 28, 2007, 11:03:34 PM

I had a 33 horse kubota for 7 years, it sure took its toll on my arm and shoulder, wouldn't want to get a diesel motor without auto clutch, sure love mine.

TexasTimbers · April 29, 2007, 02:20:21 AM

I have a 42 Kubota but my manual clutch must be qadjusted just right because I never think about it. Listening to some of the comments though makes me wonder if I simply don't know what I'm missing. My son struggles a little with it though, and my wife just barely can pull it.
I should probably get one if I want to delegate the cutting more often. ;)

Tom · April 29, 2007, 07:48:39 AM

You should do what you can to get rid of that Manual Clutch. Repetitious injury is part of what destroyed my shoulders. You don't know how much you need good joints until they are wasted.

Dave Shepard · April 29, 2007, 11:00:46 AM

I'll second what Tom said about the shoulder joints. I helped out a friend of mine this winter on a masonry job. I could pick up a 200 pound block of marble and carry it anywhere, but it was all I could do to hand a battery operated drill up to him on a ladder. My shoulders are toast.

Dave

TexasTimbers · April 29, 2007, 02:13:27 PM

I can relate to joint pain and injury. All the way up into my twenties I would show off my Jackie Chan type skills (before I knew who he was) and do running front flips, standing back flips, run up a tree and do a back flip on the way down, jumping off roofs. . . . ad naseaum.
Now, the moron that I was for not listening to my dad "Son you better quit jumping off roofs you'll be sorry when you're older!" is getting paid back in spades. Some mornings I can barely walk and it takes 10 - 15 minutes to get limber enough to walk normal. I'm only 47.

If you tell me my shoulder is going to get trashed by doing this I am going to listen. Throwing the football with my sons is one of the few athletic joys I have left that I can still do half decent, but it too hurts my shoulder sometimes. I just wish I had listened to dad when i was young and dumb. I don't know how Jackie Chan is still going. No way I can do standing back flip anymore. I know because I tried one again recently and nearly broke my fool neck. :

Tom · April 29, 2007, 03:58:58 PM

Well, pulling that handle will damage your shoulder. I will guarantee it. I'm proof. Two surgeries later, much therapy and some experimental injections with little improvement allows me to say to you, "take care of them".

The older you get, the more you need to warm up before you exercise too. Don't pull the handle on the mill or throw the football "cold".

That automatic clutch is nothing more than another electric motor like the one that drives the blade guide. It is well worth whatever they are charging and should be on all mills as standard equipment rather than an option. The Manual handle should be only a backup. (just my opinion)

woodbeard · April 29, 2007, 06:52:09 PM

Has anyone ever tried putting one on a pre-'97 mill?
Looks like it would require some creative engineering, but maybe it could be done?
???

Tom · April 29, 2007, 06:57:20 PM

It may, woodbeard, but, really all it is is an electric motor and a cam. I'll bet it would work on most all of the WoodMizers with the proper mount. I'd guess a drill would accomplish that. ;D

woodhick · April 29, 2007, 08:34:44 PM

I've been watching this thread and thinking of the upgrade on my manual LT40. I always thought the autoclutch was just that a clutch that mounted on the motor and was engaged electrically just like a automobile air conditioning pump. After reading Tom's last post I'm not sure? Is it really a clutch or just a motor and cam that do the job of the hand lever? I agree with Tom on the repetitive motion can destroy joints.

Dan_Shade · April 29, 2007, 08:49:52 PM

it's a small motor that rotates and pushes the arms/rods that the lever pushes to engage the engine.

it basically replaces the arm.

I'm not sure what it costs, but it sure is nice!

woodhick · April 30, 2007, 12:38:51 AM

Anyone have a picture of the schematic or breakdown of parts for this option?

Bibbyman · April 30, 2007, 02:17:55 AM

jpgreen had an interesting mod on his LT40. He added a spring from a car hood hinge to his mill to take the weight off the engine off the pull of the lever.

Here is a link to his post.

Here's my "JP Clutch"... an LT40 Five Minute- 50 cent fix for your Machine!...

TexasTimbers · April 30, 2007, 06:58:47 AM

Like Woodhick, I would like to see a photo of an automatic clutch. I can envision one but I'd like to see what they look like for sure. The WM website does not show a picture of the clutch itself. Just the toggle switch that operates it.
I want to say i got a quote of right at $600 when I priced it once on a whim while n the phone with WM one day.

DWM II · April 30, 2007, 07:02:23 AM

I'm sitting here aching this morning and now I know why. Sawed out 95 2x6x16 this weekend and hauled and burned the slabs. The flitches are stacked ready to trim, but I wonder just how many times I pulled that lever engageing that blade? ??? One of these days when I get that new mill it will have some new bells and whistles the ole '91 aint got. 8)