TDI introduced a new, inertia-engaged turbine air starter designed to improve the reliability of mid size engines (up to 4,882 CID/80 Liters) on marine vessels, as well as engines in other industries. The signature characteristic of the vaneless, TurboTwin T50-I is the 100% starting performance it delivers because of the inertia engagement. “With inertia-engaged air starters there is never an abutment causing an abandoned start attempt, meaning the design of the air starter assures pinion engagement every time. This translates to 100% starting reliability,” said Dave Rawlins, TDI Senior Product Manager. “We have tens of thousands of inertia-engaged starters in the field. The new Model T50-I completes a mid-range product offering with additional performance in a smaller package than either the Model T100-F or the original 52 Series starters.” The T50-I was built in response to marine and mining markets which demand the extra reliability of an inertia starter without the need for engagement controls. T50-I fits on mid-sized engines like the Caterpillar 3400, 3500 and C-175; Cummins KTA 38 and 50, and MTU/Detroit Diesel 2000 and 4000 Series. The simple design allows for one part number to cover a wide range of engines and applications commonly found in many large fleets. It also features TDI’s TURBOTWIN turbine design with open air paths which allow large particles, pipe scale and other contaminants to pass right through the starter instead of getting lodged inside and potentially causing starter failure.
