Hi guys I'm wanting to start a new L T build in spring been thinking of putting a clutch on it so I had a few questions hoping you guys could give me some answers . do you use a lawn mower clutch ? how do you hook drive shaft up use a jack shaft of some kind ? do you change angle of shaft if using jack shaft and is it worth it thank you very much have learned a lot off this site Jeff

I think that it is way simpler to put a drive shaft reduction on a long tail than to build a short tail surface drive with its complicated transom mount.

On my 7 HP models I am using a chain driven reduction with a wet clutch. I am hooking the UJ to the gear box PTO with no external jack shaft. There are good industrial centrifugal clutches out there that would work with a jack shaft as well.

For my larger motors I use a centrifugal clutch and a jack shaft and then put in my regular compound UJ to the drive shaft. So far on my 14 HP motor I have used a BX belt from the clutch to the jack shaft.

Mark F. Cheney

Thank you Mark at least that gives a starting point to think about

Mark please post some pics of your setups

I'd like to see what exactly a jack shaft is too.


I'd love to try a light 14 hp motor too Mark. My 25 hp gets the job don but it's a beast to drive. lol

If this is any help - a 25 hp straight long tail turns a 9 x 7 prop. a 14 HP long tail with a 1 1/2 to 1 reduction thru a clutch and a jack shaft turns a 10 x 8 prop. I am working on some pictures now.

Mark F. Cheney