Ace Manufacturing introduces its new Freedom series auto-adjusting heavy-duty clutches.
Made in the USA, Ace says the new clutches offer a multitude of services and benefits, including easier serviceability and installation, contamination prevention technology and a robust adjuster design that ensures the product will not over adjust.
Ace Manufacturing notes the contamination prevention technology uses a patent pending actively expanding seal that creates the “industry’s first anti-contamination enclosure,” and that specialized lubrication confirms optimal adjustments throughout the life of the clutch.
The company says the clutch works as follows: During clutch disengagement, if release bearing travel is ½ in. or less, no adjustment is necessary and the built-in lost motion window ensures optimal release and bearing position. When the clutch wears, release bearing travel increases beyond lost motion window and advances worm gear. The worm gear then turns the adjusting ring to compensate for wear, repositioning the release bearing. On clutch engagement, one way ratchet advances and restores the ideal lost motion window.
Craig Callaway, technical representative for Ace Manufacturing, says the benefits of the self-adjusting clutch are vast. The Freedom line not only eliminates the need for drivers to attempt to adjust their clutches, it also eliminates the downtime caused for a regular clutch adjustments during the life of the vehicle.
The clutch also has a positively engaged ratchet system, and uses a four-lug drive gear that has the ability to deliver more than 50 ft. lbs. of torque to the adjuster ring. The clutch also has a wide bearing cage design, wider release bearing lugs and additional grease zerks to accommodate various linkage systems.
Ace Manufacturing says the product has been beta tested for more than a year, and will be released nationwide in 2015.
