What Happens When a Clutch Goes Out on Your Industrial Machine?

Nothing is worse than when you’re in the middle of a job and your machinery sputters to a stop. It can cost you time, money, and customers.

There can be many reasons why your industrial equipment comes to a halt. For example, it might be the clutch going out on your industrial machine.

But what happens when a clutch goes out? What are the causes, and what can you do about it?

In this article, we’ll discuss what may cause your clutch to go, why it goes, and what you can do to fix it. 

What Happens When A Clutch Goes Out?

To understand how to fix a clutch going out, we first need to understand what happens when a clutch goes out.

A clutch’s main purpose is to help your machinery switch gears. Most clutches can work for a long time and handle a tremendous workload. After a while, however, all clutches go out.

When this happens, you may find it harder to switch gears. Your machinery may even “slip gears.” This means your machinery may start to miss a certain gear when you go to switch to it.

A passenger vehicle example is if you switch into third gear, and the clutch “slips” into fourth instead.

Signs of A Failing Clutch

Your clutch slipping like this can be a costly and dangerous problem. It’s best to identify it before it gets too serious and fix your clutch. 

Here are some signs that your clutch may require replacement.

1. Clutch Sticking

When you push down the clutch pedal, it should release and come back as you lift your foot. If you lift your foot and the clutch pedal does not come back, your clutch is “sticking.” If the clutch returns slowly, this can also be a problem.

When your clutch doesn’t respond properly, it causes the operator to lose control of the machinery. It can also make machinery difficult to operate.

2. Hard Clutch

A clutch pedal that shows difficulty in the down or up position is considered a “hard clutch.” 

Your clutch should respond to a small amount of pressure. If it takes any amount of effort for you to engage, or disengage, the clutch, it may be starting to go.

3. Noises During Use

If you start to hear strange noises during clutch use, it may be something you want to look into. Any squeals, hissing, or clicking sounds are indications that your clutch is malfunctioning in some way.

What To Do About Your Clutch

If you are experiencing any issues with your industrial machine’s clutch, contact a professional.

Here at Kor-Pak, we offer a wide variety of industrial parts to keep your machinery up and running. We specialize in keeping these machines running tip-top.

If you have any more questions on what happens when a clutch goes out or would like more information on parts, check out our website.

Feel free to browse our online resources or contact us directly if you have a specific question. We’re always here to help!

Posted in Industrial Brakes and Clutches.