The clutch is designed to briefly disconnect the engine from the gearbox at the time of gear shifting and ensures smooth starting.
The clutch consists of a pressure drive plate, a driven plate and a release bearing.
The pressure plate is rigidly screwed to the flywheel, which in turn is attached to the engine crankshaft. Between the pressure plate and the flywheel there is a driven disk, which is pressed against the flywheel by the pressure plate. The driven disk sits on the splines of the gearbox drive shaft.
When you press the clutch pedal (clutch disengaged) the release bearing, under the influence of a hydraulic or mechanical drive and the release lever, is pressed against the pressure plate springs. The pressure plate is loosened and the driven plate is no longer pressed against the flywheel. The power transmission between the engine and gearbox is interrupted.
Depending on the equipment of the machine, the clutch is driven by a cable or a hydraulic system: the piston of the working cylinder of the hydraulic system rests on the shutdown lever. When you press the clutch pedal in the master cylinder, located in the car at the driver's feet, pressure is created, which is hydraulically transmitted to the working cylinder attached to the gearbox. The piston of the working cylinder through the release fork presses the release bearing against the membrane springs of the pressure plate and the disc moves away.
The clutch hydraulic system runs on brake fluid and is supplied with it from the common expansion tank of the brake system.
If the clutch pedal returns to its original position (clutch engaged), then the pressure plate presses the driven disc against the flywheel, the power transmission is restored, since the pressed driven disc is rigidly connected to the gearbox shaft by the end connection.
Each time the clutch is engaged and disengaged, as a result of friction, the friction linings on the driven disk are worn out. The driven disk is a wear part, but its average service life is about 100,000 km. Wear depends mainly on the load (trailer driving) and driving style. The clutch is maintenance free as it adjusts automatically.
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