OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Trimmers and Brushcutters Ryobi Trimmers & Brushcutters Ryobi 3046yb Clutch?

Hi

Great forum, have already managed to glean some useful information. But I'm a little stuck with my Ryobi 3046yb trimmer.

Over the least week I've noticed the trimmer head occasionally running a little lazily, even when I vary the throttle up and down. Today I attached my expand-it tiller (which worked fine in the past) but the tines spun very slowly and wouldn't even turn in loose sand.

I've disconnected the tiller attachment and checked the cable in the 'power head', it spins fine with the motor running.

The above leads me to suspect there's something up with the centrifugal clutch - especially since I'm having a similar problem with my kids' quad bike - ie it starts & runs but apply a load and nothing happens.

Do these clutches fail often and is it difficult to repair/replace them? I don't mind getting my hands dirty...

alice,

The inner shaft on the engine side could be the problem because the lower shaft connects into the upper shaft by means of a small square alloy piece which could be partly rounded when it should be square.

Just check to see that it is square before looking at the clutch.

Bruce,

Thanks for the repy - I had a good look at it and the cable seems fine - it's definitely still square, as is the male end on the tiller side.

Do you have any other suggestions? Is the clutch worth looking at (the trimmer's a couple of years old) and is it a difficult job? As I said, whilst I'm no mechanic I'm moderately competent at taking things apart and putting them back together...

alice,

It is not that hard to check the clutch because all you really need is a T20 screwdriver, plug spanner and some starter rope. Just remove the shaft from the engine and then remove the 4 screws from the clutch cover.

Then remove the cover and you will see the clutch drum, you then need to remove the spark plug and place the starter rope down the plug hole towards the exhaust port.

Then get the screw drive and place it down the the centre of the clutch drum and undo the screw. The clutch drum should come off to inspect the clutch.

Thanks again Bruce, sounds easy - I'll have a go at that . I take it the starter rope in the cylinder trick is used to stop the motor turning over, is that right?

alice,

Spot on.

Okay, got that done. Now I'm no expert, but I'll bet that the clutch isn't supposed to be a scratched , heat-blued lump of steel reminiscent of a brake pad with the all the brake material worn off, right

Next question, Bruce - and I do appreciate your help with this - is the clutch meant to spin off on that thread at the base of the stem? It looks like a standard right-hand thread, but so far I've had no luck getting it off.

Oh, and do you have a shop manual or a parts list fort this machine?

Hi Alice, I would like to take this oppotunity to wish you a big warm welcome to the forum. We all love to learn new things and tinker here.

I have checked the parts lists and manuals area for Ryobi 3046yb and can't find any as yet, however if Bruce has the manuals to hand, I'm sure he will upload them.

To access the parts and manuals area, click on any topic in the main forum, scroll to the very top of the page, and the first thread is "Access to Parts and Manuals". Read that carefully, and you will find the procedure easy-peasy.
Once again

Thanks Darryl - I've already subscribed to the parts and manuals sections in a couple of sections.

Well, the clutch is well and truly stuffed. Can anyone tell me where I can get a new one?

Have you got a pic of the machine, if Bruce cant track down somethign new I can keep an eye out for you at the tip

Thanks Joe
I was really after a new one but if parts are unavailable then a used clutch would be fine.

This what the machine looks like - .