Anyone that has started an engine in cold weather, knows that the engine can struggle a bit before it gets warmed up. If the engine is fully loaded, it may not even want to start up at all. Then, you are left cranking and cranking with fingers crossed for luck. Electromagnetic clutches are used for cold starts on pumps, fans, compressors, augers, and various agricultural, forestry, and outdoor power equipment.

An electromagnetic clutch allows for disengagement of loads when the cold engine is started. If the clutch is disengaged, the engine does not have to struggle to turn that load, and it has an easier time getting up to speed and warmed up. A side benefit is also that a warm engine puts out less emissions, so we get that extra bonus. Once it is warmed up, the operator can engage the clutch and start turning the load with much more ease.

Electromagnetic clutches transfer torque mechanically but actuate electrically. For outdoor power applications, they typically run on 12 or 24Vdc. When electrical power is applied to the clutch, the coil becomes an electromagnet and pulls the armature/output to the rotor assembly that rotates with the shaft. The clutch output can be an integral pulley, or it can be a hub that can fit a customer's pulley, sprocket, or coupling if used on an inline drive.

Another trick to further assist in cold weather is operating with a soft start controller. Without a soft start controller, the clutch engagement is quick (let us say 200 msec). This puts a heavy burden on an engine and the engine rpm can droop, sometimes to the point of stalling out. When using an Ogura soft start controller, the engagement takes place over a 5x - 6x longer time (say 1 to 1.2 seconds). By transferring this energy over a longer period, the engine runs smoother, and it also puts less stress on other components such as belts, couplings, bolts, etc.

The Ogura General Purpose line of clutches can be mounted directly to the engine shaft to engage or disengage those driven components and are available in common bore sizes for engines up to 40 HP. Output options include single and multiple groove V belt, poly-v and timing belt pulleys as well as a universal output flange that can accommodate specialized pulleys/bracket or coupling in u-joint connections.

Benefits you will see when using an Ogura electromagnetic clutch:

• Reduced engine load on cold weather starts
• Increased operational life of pumps and other driven equipment
• Fuel and energy savings
• Safety and convenience (remote starting)

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