How do clutches work on powerful machinery?

Question

Like hypercars and tractors/trucks/bulldozers etc. How is it possible that they can convert that much power using plates alone?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

They basically scale it up, usually with more friction disks. Instead of just one being sandwiched like in a normal passenger car there can up to a dozen. The more surface area you have the more holding power you get with the same clamping force.