Need help to align Sprintfire clutches

[SS440-80]

Hi!
I need help with my clutch alignment on my Sprintfire.

The drive belt wear down a bit to fast I think, and it squels, I suspect that the alignment between the clutches is wrong. (the distance is perfect)
There are no alignment tool to get here in Sweden.
So if someone could help me here, and place a straight bar behind the primary to the secondary and measure the distance between the backside of clutches (distance B in the picture) Then I will solve my clutch problem.

I’m gonna run the Sprintfire in a vintage sled race here in Sweden 27 january, so I want the little sled to be perfect.

Best regards from a snowy middle of Sweden.
//Robert Barkman.

[AirborneX4Special]

When does it squeal? The direct drive system tends to squeal more on launch and cause more belt wear since it has no chaincase to buffer the load. Deere had an alignment tool but you can simulate that with rulers and a straight edge. Don't put any more tension on your track than is required to prevent tunnel "slap" at speed when you hit bumps.

[SS440-80]

Yes, it’s at very slow speed and taking of the belt squeals. Not in the beginning, but when belt and clutches is warmed up.

I have heard that you can use a straight bar between the pulleys to measure the right offset, but I can’t find what size on the bar to get it right.
Do you know how thick the bar should be?

The track is as loose as I dare to have it.
To thight track takes a lot of power from the motor, and it wears track to fast. And Sprintfire tracks is impossible to get here in Sweden.

[AirborneX4Special]

Do you have a manual? If not, I can take a picture of the alignment procedure from the Service Manual and post it for you. Deere wants you to use their alignment tool but those are almost as scarce as an NOS track. You can make do with a common straight edge.

[SS440-80]

Do you have a manual? If not, I can take a picture of the alignment procedure from the Service Manual and post it for you. Deere wants you to use their alignment tool but those are almost as scarce as an NOS track. You can make do with a common straight edge.

I do have the manual and know how to do the alignment, and everything is there BUT NOT the size of the straight bar...
So what I need is the thickness of the bar or the measure B in the first post.

[AirborneX4Special]

I don't know that dimension. It is a removable straight edge from the JDG-369 clutch alignment tool kit. Perhaps someone has one and can measure the thickness to enable you to adjust the dimensions according to what you may have for a straight edge and verify your offset. From the Service Manual picture it looks like a piece of 1/4 bar stock.? What Deere simulates in the diagram is the 1-1/4" belt seating properly in the secondary prior to engagement by the primary clutch. The straight edge serves as the outer edge of the nonexistent belt in the simulation where the dimension they want is 1.25" +/- .30". If you have both inner sheaves aligned you can't be far off.

[JDGuy]

The bar is 0.375 inches square by 20 inches long

[JDGuy]

skew

[JDGuy]

skew one more, 5 is max upload, sorry they are out of order

[SS440-80]

THANK YOU JDGUY!
THIS IS AWESOME, YOU ARE AWESOME

And you are also the best Pat, for all the good advise

This info should be glued in under Kawa Tech Talk or maybe in the main Portal in the Technical info, under Clutch/Drive.

Once again boys, THANKS!


This is why forums are way better then facebook...

[JDGuy]

You are most welcome. Let us know how the race goes....good luck.....be first to get the checkered flag!!!

I have no experience with direct drive, but if it still squeals after alignment it could be the rubber compound/durometer of the belt, maybe try a different belt, one made by a different manufacturer, or if that is not feasible, soap wash and rinse your current belt if its dimensions are good. Belt/rubber compound and construction effects performance on jackshaft/chain case models so I would guess the same would be true on direct drive. Just a thought.

[SS440-80]

[AirborneX4Special]

I knew someone had to have the tool.

There's an original clutch alignment tutorial video from Deere on www.vintagesnow.com

[SS440-80]

Now my clutches are aligned, and it was necessary.

I milled a bar to 0.325" (9,525mm) and then it was easy to align the cluches. Got the offset to 31,5mm, so it's close enough to perfect.

Thanks again