On Nov 2, 3:23 pm, "shazzbat"
wrote:
"Robin" wrote in message

ups.com...I recently was given a Suffolk Punch mower. The engine works fine but
the centrifugal clutch wasn't too great. To get at the adjustment
screws inside, I had to take the entire gearing assembly off the side
- is there an easier way? I couldn't see how the small gear on the
end of the main shaft was attached to said shaft. Couldn't unscrew it,
and it wasn't budging with a gear puller. If someone could let me know
how it is attached, I would be most grateful

Firstly, there are no adjusting screws. There are two pivoted centrifugal
shoes, just like brake shoes, with friction lining material on them. These
are held clear of the drum by springs, whose tension is overcome by
centrifugal force when engine revs increase. It's a pretty bulletproof
arrangement, and I haven't heard of one needing attention before, the only
possibilities I can envisage are worn out linings, and oil in the drum.

As for getting it apart, IIRC there is a captive bearing arrangement for the
drum, and it may be simpler to move the engine away from it. There are
simply 4 bolts holding the engine in place, remove those and you can slide
the engine away from the drive mechanism, taking note of anything which may
be getting pulled tight, like the fuel pipe or throttle cable. You will then
have an engine with the centrifugal part of the clutch attached to it. To
remove this from the engine, there is a fairly obvious square headed bolt
and a less obvious woodruff key holding it to the end of the crankshaft.

None of this is a left hand thread, the only one of those is at the other
end, holding the flywheel on.

HTH
Steve

Mine has got adjustment screws which alter the pre-tension on the
clutch springs. I overadjusted them so they need a bit of a tweak. I
thought removing the engine might be a simpler solution - don't
suppose I'll need to hire an engine crane!!

The gear on the end of the main shaft is not threaded on, as far as I
can make out. There is a thread, right hand, on the end of the shaft,
but it doesn't have anything threaded onto it. The gear resisted
unscrewing.

When I opened up the gear box, it had been well greased, but much of
this was full of old grass clippings - is there a good way of sealing
this more effectively?

thanks for the replies so far,

Robin