Torque Converter on Ice Scratcher – Won’t go??

Hey Guys,
Hoping someone out there knows something about torque converters. I installed one on my Scratcher this winter in hopes of getting better low end torque at the start and more high end speed once I got going. Everything works great in the garage, but once I get it on the ice it won’t go into “higher” gear. I am running a 6.5 hp engine. Any thoughts? I am also getting belt wear after 1 hour of use

Any suggestions are appreciated, not many of these around so finding help is hard to come by.

a smaller sprocket on the converter shaft or a larger one on the chipper will make a huge difference!

either way you will lose speed but gain power therefore generate higher RPM’s thus getting converter to open as you go!

Or I could be completely wrong who knows

My guess is belt wear due to misalinged belt. Or else slipping of the converter.

So – just to clarify – it trolls down nice, but you aren’t able to get it on plane?

I’d make sure you don’t have the trolling motor deployed and the drift sock is in…you know, cover the basics first.

Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

I have no clue how to fix it but that thing looks wicked. Have fun when you do get er goin

What kinda of RPM is the clutch set up for? Are they matched to open and close at the same RPM? There are springs and weights that may need to be tuned for your application. How tight is the belt when not running, There should be tension on the belt with the center bearing on the drive clutch.

Quote:

---

What kinda of RPM is the clutch set up for? Are they matched to open and close at the same RPM? There are springs and weights that may need to be tuned for your application. How tight is the belt when not running, There should be tension on the belt with the center bearing on the drive clutch.

---

The clutch is a Comet 30 Series and said it is for a 3hp-8hp, it doesn’t really say anywhere about settings for RPM’s. I do have the spring set in the “1” hole which means it is supposed to go into higher gear at lower RPM’s I have about 1/8″ play on the belt as stated in the instructions.

RE “TheGun” suggestion… I never thought about changing the sprocket size on the jackshaft, thank you! I don’t have a clue where I would get a sprocket for the Chipper wheel???

Ace, are you gonna be at the Swap Meet tomorrow?
If so, come see me. Hard to miss, I look like Santa and my screen name is embroidered on my shirt.

I have quite a bit of experience with a comet 30 series on a 8HP motor. My best friend (our shop foreman) has lots of knowledge on it and I could get him in touch with you if it comes to that.
We’ve switched to a comet 40 series with a 10HP or 12HP motor because we found the 30 series just doesn’t grab the belt tight enough when the going get a little tough.
On an 8HP, the 40 series will grab a little better than the 30 series; but the 8horse just doesn’t have quite enough torque to get max performance out of a 40 series.
The forty series with the 10 horse is good.
The 40 series with the 12 horse is great.

Desperado, Where is the swap meet at??

you get that thing over to my garage and we will have it going in an afternoon! My friends dont call me mac gyver for nothing!!!!!

you would be obligated to take me out though!

Swap meet is tomorrow (Sat Jan 29) at Bluffs Bar and Grill in Hagar City WI.
I will be there, but our shop foreman won’t.
If you come by, I’ll gladly chat with you regarding my experience with comet clutches. And can get you the contact info for our shop guy.

What: 2011 Mississippi River Guide Day Seminar & Fisherman Swap Meet

When: 11 am to 5pm – Saturday, January 29, 2011

Where: The Bluffs in Hager City WI Intersection of Hwy 35 & 63

Saturday, January 29th marks the first ever Guide Day at the Bluff’s Bar and Grill in Hagar City.

We will feature one on one, face to face seminars. Ask the questions and get the answers eyeball to eyeball from some of the very best River anglers in the Midwest!

Some of the guides planning to attend include
~Dustin Stewart
~Briank
~Marty Hahn
~River Rat Randy Stevens
~Brett King
~“Turk Gierke”
~“Hutch”
and several others from the areas river systems.

A number of the guides will be offering discounts for any trips booked that day, so bring your calendar!

We will also be offering at the same time, a fisherman swap meet.
Tired of looking at those rods or box of crank baits that have been collecting dust for the past 5 years? This is the perfect time to bring it to sell or trade with others.
Anchors, nets, jig boxes, reels, or anything else fishing related are welcome!

Partner up with a buddy or two and buy a table for just $20. Your second table if needed is available for $10.

All of the proceeds will be donated to the local Boy Scouts and American Legion baseball team. Your support of these organizations is appreciated!

To book or reserve your table, contact Pat Brookshaw @ 651-380-3941.

Everts Resort will have a table offering special discounts for this one day event. We will also have the booking calendar along if you are interested in checking the availability of cabins.

This is at the very least, a fun filled day catching up with past, present & future friends. Ask the questions you have always wanted to ask and get the answers face to face from guys who know.

You might even leave with more money than what you came with!

Hope to see you there!

Right off, unless my eyes are tricking me, in every picture, it looks as if the driven clutch is out too far…??? Alignment off, that would be the burning belt issue. Also, I do believe the issue has got to be RPM related and clutch springs and weight. X amount of RPM = Y amount of weight and type Z spring… and so on…. I used to mess around with my snowmobile clutching quite a bit, but thats ALOT more R’s….