THIS SHOULD HELP Suzuki/Cat and Yamaha set up.

 

On a Polaris during idle the primary clutch, the one comming off the engine crank is always spinning. Even with the machine sitting there with the belt just sitting there, the primary is spinning around it.

On a wet clutch system like the yamaha the primary and secondary, which is the one comming off the transmission, does not turn at idle, even while the trans is in gear. The primary does not engage until the proper rmp has been hit, then the wet clutch engages, which engages the primary, which grabs the belt, which spins the secondary, and so on.

 

another explanation:

The QuadMatic Transmission never allows the belt to become loose or slack at any point. The braking point between engine power and transmission is done by the means of the centrifugal clutch just behind the primary belt clutch. Other automatic transmissions just rely on the belt as the braking point for engine power to transmission, allowing the belt to sit idle on a rotating pulley. This in turn reduces belt life and engine braking ability.

 

YAMAHA VERSION

 

good pics. looks like it would be pain in the a.. to change the clutches on them lol. thanks for the explention

 

the more I think about it I have to agree with you. I didn't know about the differences until recently myself and at first it sounded like the "wet cluth" system was the "better" system because of less belt wear. but I think I would rather replace an inexpensive belt without much trouble than deal with both a belt AND an internal clutch. if 150+ hp snowmobiles are using belt drives like mine I guess I don't have much to worry about.

 

you all are talking about manual transmissions not automatic,it's not possible..way out, out.........

 

not all of us, look again! maximize page and look closely, notice the internal "wet" clutch and the belt for the AUTO trans.

 

Its almost unheard of, for an internal wet clutch to go bad. Its usually neglect or improper maintance that kills them. The belts on the suzuki and yamaha, like wise last a very long time, because they arent a wear item like they are on a polaris. On a polaris...the belt is the clutch, and is designed to wear out.
Haveing the belt always engaged and tight, also has safety considerations...the motor can die (run out of gas or whatever), on a steep downhill, and youll still have engine braking. Plus they are capable of being bump started, unlike the polaris and kawi systems.
And the yami and suzi trans dont have a requirement of using low, for slow going. Its your choice to use high or low, and niether will harm the quad.
They both have advantages, it all depends on what youre looking for.

 

thanks everybody, i see what you all are talking about now,thats a very nice set up, no wonder a buddy of mine didn't smoke his belt, when him and his wife,combine weight of 600+ pounds got hung on a steep bank one day on a vinson,that thing just set there and didn't move for about 30 seconds while he was giving it gas,alot of gas, i though it was over for that belt system; from that day forward,my buddies and i said suzuki made the best cvt.. wayout, out................