Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Building an gas powered ice auger, briggs stratton, cart type

Question
I'd like to take an old lawn mower engine (Briggs & Stratton) and build an ice auger out of it, but I'd like to be able to start and stop it with some type of clutch. Is there an easy fix to this? Can I just purchase a clutch that will fit the motor and install it or is it more complicated than that? It's going to be pretty primitive.

Answer
You might be able to adapt or connect, welding will probably be required, the auger to a go cart type clutch.

I'd be concerned with the gearing.  The actual ice auger have a gear reduction so the auger does not spin too fast.  A Briggs engine, with out a gear reduction, can easily spin up to 3600 RPM...way too fast if the engine crank output is connected directly to the auger.

Check out the parts list link below and you will see the reduction gears.

http://www.northerntool.com/downloads/manuals/170314.pdf

Do you have a gear reduction box for the Briggs engine?

Eric