Centrifugal Clutch for Agriculture/Forestry Industry

The industry-leading centrifugal clutches from BLM Automatic Clutch are critical in countless agricultural applications. Our centrifugal clutches feature minimal downtime and maximum productivity, all while requiring minimal maintenance. BLM clutches can be applied to pumps, sprayers, chippers, and a variety of other agricultural equipment.

Below we cover some of the most commonly-utilized machinery and equipment popular throughout the agricultural industry today. Clutches are a crucial component for much of the machinery powering the agricultural sector.

Why Are Centrifugal Clutches Ideal for Farming Equipment?

Centrifugal clutches are comprised of three main components:

Centrifugal Clutch for Agriculture

  1. A metal drum
  2. An output shaft, sprocket, or sheave
  3. A set of internal fly-weights (restrained by springs assembled formed into a simple single driving mechanism)

These clutches function relatively simply. Once an engine is revved and the rotational speed of the inner section of the clutch increases, the fly-weights move outward. This serves to either stretch the springs or deflect the stamped piece, which leads to clutch engagement. Output ceases when the engine goes idle and fly-weights retract, disengaging from the drum.

Centrifugal clutches are ideal for a broad range of agricultural equipment. Farming machinery, gardening equipment, and numerous other advanced technologies rely on the use of clutches.

Clutches are automatic and don’t require any control mechanisms. As such, engines start before application engagement and cease operations when the application is idle, making them ideal for most maintenance applications.

Agricultural and Farming Equipment Using Centrifugal Clutch Systems

clutches for irrigation system

A number of systems critical to agricultural and farming rely on the use of centrifugal clutches. Some of these include:

  • Pumps and sprayers responsible for providing irrigation to fields
  • Sprayers to deliver nutrients and pest control to crops
  • Chippers to recycle pruned branches in fruit and nut orchards
  • Chainsaws for groundskeeping

BLM: Experience, Efficiency, and Excellence

The BLM Automatic Clutch team has extensive clutch design and manufacturing experience.  Our custom clutches are fully machined to exacting tolerances specifically tailored to meet the engine horsepower and RPM requirements of your specifications. Our capabilities also include dimensional inspection to ensure exacting tolerances are met.

We provide customized pieces for single-use or OEM products and are always eager to work with new customers. We have extensive experience in developing prototypes for unique agricultural applications.

Please contact us today to find out more about our pricing, capabilities, and product availability.

Clutches for Agriculture Applications: Case Study

An OEM manufacturer of compressors was in need of a solution for one of their products that had an issue starting in the cold weather.

BLM was commissioned to manufacture a custom clutch to suit their demands, modifying a standard design to meet the specific needs of this customer. Utilizing advanced CNC milling and turning, a gray iron casting was used. A tolerance of ± 0.003″ was maintained throughout and the unit was assembled and finished with a coating of blue paint.

The produced 6″ clutch would allow the engine to start and warm up before the compressor load was applied. Thorough dimensional inspection was implemented to ensure accuracy.

As requested, the compressor pulley was twice as large as the clutch pulley to facilitate the correct speed. The clutch is appropriate for the compressor’s 18 HP engine, with an idle speed of 1600 RPM, and operating RPM of 3000. 30 units were produced in a turnaround time of 4 weeks, and shipped to the customer in Canada.

This centrifugal clutch is suitable for multiple applications, and can be adapted to fit particular demands. For more information about this iron centrifugal clutch project, or the other custom clutch capabilities for demanding industrial applications, please see the table below or contact BLM directly.

Project Scope

Project Scope

The OEM needed a solution to starting a compressor in cold weather. This was a good fit for a centrifugal clutch because it allowed the engine to start and warm up before the compressor load was applied. The customer required a 2:1 ratio for the belt drive where the compressor pulley was twice as large as the clutch pulley to facilitate the correct speed.

Product Application

Compressor 18 HP/ 3000 RPM/1600 IDLE

Product Description

6″ clutch F60H-3748

Clutch Fabrication Capabilities Applied/Processess

Primary:

  • Material Sourcing
  • CNC Turning
  • CNC Milling

Secondary:

  • Assembly
  • Painting

Design

Modification of appropriate drawing from portfolio of 4000+ drawings

Equipment Used to Manufacture Part

CNC Lathes, CNC Mills, Various Machine Shop Equipment

Tightest Tolerances

± 0.003″

Material Used

Gray Iron

Material Finish

Paint Color: Blue

In process testing/inspection performed

Dimensional Inspection

Industry for Use

Mining

Volume

30

Delivery/Turnaround Time

4 Weeks

Delivery Location

Canada

Standards Met

Customer Specifications, 2D Drawing

Product Name

Centrifugal Clutch