The Austart ATS53 turbine air starter is a compact, medium-duty compressed air-powered cranking system engineered for consistent, spark-free engine starting across demanding industrial environments. Rated to a maximum of 150 psi with a standard operating pressure of 100 psi, the ATS53 converts compressed air into sustained cranking torque through a precision turbine rotor and a three-planet epicyclic gear reduction, delivering that torque to the engine flywheel ring gear via an SAE 1 flanged nose assembly fitted with a pre-engaged pneumatic piston drive. Engineered as two independently serviceable sub-assemblies — nose and motor — with an integrated silencer, the ATS53 is purpose-built for spark-free starting duty in mining, oil and gas, marine, and stationary power applications where electrical starting systems are either impractical or present unacceptable ignition risk.
The Austart ATS53 turbine air starter is a compact, medium-duty pneumatically driven cranking system that channels compressed air through a precision turbine rotor, then steps that high-speed rotation through a three-planet epicyclic gear reduction to produce the sustained torque required to crank diesel and gas engines reliably across challenging operating conditions. A pre-engaged pneumatic piston drive mechanism ensures the pinion is fully seated in the engine flywheel ring gear before cranking torque reaches its peak — delivering a positive, controlled start cycle on every attempt. Its compact SAE 1 flanged footprint, spark-free compressed air operation, and modular sub-assembly architecture make the ATS53 the right choice wherever medium-duty engine starting reliability, installation flexibility, and maintenance simplicity all need to be achieved together.
Specifications listed below apply to the standard Austart ATS53 turbine air starter. Dimensional data is sourced from the official installation and maintenance documentation. Pinion and flange configurations are available in multiple options — contact us with your engine details for the correct part number.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Starter Type | Turbine Air Starter (Pneumatic) |
| Drive Mechanism | Pre-Engaged Pneumatic Piston Drive |
| Standard Operating Pressure | 100 psi |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 150 psi |
| Main Inlet Port | 1/2" NPT |
| Control Port Size (Inlet & Outlet) | 1/8" NPT |
| Minimum Supply Hose I.D. (up to 15 ft / 5 m) | 3/4" (19 mm) |
| Minimum Supply Hose I.D. (over 15 ft / 5 m) | 1" (25 mm) |
| Control Line Size | Minimum 1/4" (6 mm) O.D. |
| Overall Length | 9.209" (233.9 mm) |
| Flange to Pinion Distance | 1.839" (46.7 mm) |
| Motor Housing Width | 2.563" (65.1 mm) |
| Nose Housing Length | 6.596" (167.5 mm) |
| Flange Standard | SAE 1 |
| Pinion Rest Position | Flange-to-Ring-Gear (FRG) spacing less 1/8" (3 mm) |
| Nose Housing Indexing | 30° increments (full 360° range) |
| Pinion Options (Right-Hand) | 9TH 3MOD · 10TH 8/10 · 11TH 6/8 · 12TH 8/10 |
| Pinion Options (Left-Hand) | 9TH 3MOD · 10TH 8/10 · 11TH 6/8 · 12TH 8/10 |
| Y Strainer (Required) | 100 mesh · 1" NPT · Model YS1000 |
| Relay Valve (Required) | RV1000 · 1" NPT (mounted directly upstream via Y strainer) |
| Turbine Rotor Nut Torque | 20–25 ft lb (27–34 Nm) |
| Re-start Delay | Minimum 15 seconds between start attempts |
| Special Options Available | Threaded exhaust outlets · Alternate pinion tooth counts and modules · Left-hand pinion configurations · Mining-grade housing (cast iron) · Inertia drive · Kelly Spinner Muffler |
| Warranty | 12 months from date of purchase (first user) |
When the operator activates the SC25 starter control button at the instrument panel or control station, a pneumatic control signal travels through the 1/4-inch control line to the RV1000 relay valve installed upstream of the starter. The relay valve opens, allowing high-pressure compressed air from the air receiver to flow through the 100-mesh YS1000 Y strainer, which removes particulate contamination before the supply air reaches the starter's precision internal components. Filtered air then enters the ATS53 turbine housing through the 1/2-inch NPT main inlet port and acts on the turbine rotor blades, spinning the rotor at high speed under the force of the expanding compressed air.
Simultaneously, a portion of the supply air acts on the piston assembly within the nose housing, pushing the drive assembly — and the pinion attached to it — outward into positive mesh with the engine flywheel ring gear. This pre-engagement occurs before the turbine reaches full cranking speed, ensuring that every pinion tooth is fully engaged and load-bearing by the time peak cranking torque arrives at the ring gear. The turbine's high-speed rotational output then passes through the rotor shaft into the three-planet epicyclic gear reduction in the nose assembly, which steps the speed down and multiplies torque to the level required to turn over the engine. Indexing the nose housing in 30-degree increments during installation ensures the inlet port can always be positioned for optimal hose routing regardless of engine compartment layout.
Once the engine fires and its speed exceeds cranking velocity, the operator releases the control button. The relay valve closes, cutting the compressed air supply to the turbine, and the rotor decelerates. The spring within the nose assembly retracts the piston and drive assembly, withdrawing the pinion cleanly from the ring gear as output torque falls away. Exhaust air from the turbine passes through the integrated muffler assembly — the baffle sleeve and outer sleeve arrangement progressively reducing discharge noise before air exits to atmosphere. A mandatory 15-second pause between consecutive start attempts ensures both the ATS53 and the engine have fully stopped rotating before re-engagement, protecting the drive components and the engine ring gear from impact loading damage.
The ATS53 is rated to a maximum supply pressure of 150 psi. The standard recommended operating pressure is 100 psi, which delivers optimal cranking torque while keeping all internal components within their design load limits. Operating at pressures approaching the 150 psi ceiling should be reserved for applications with a genuine high-compression starting requirement and must not become the routine operating condition. The air receiver supplying the ATS53 must be manufactured to an applicable pressure vessel code such as AS1210 or an equivalent recognised standard.
The ATS54 is the factory-overhauled version of the ATS53. Both units share exactly the same SAE 1 flange standard, turbine piston drive mechanism, dimensional envelope, and pinion configuration options. The ATS54 designation indicates the unit has been completely stripped, inspected, rebuilt with a full service kit, and returned to full factory specification through the official overhaul process. For replacement applications where the original ATS53 has reached the end of its service life, the ATS54 overhaul unit offers the same performance and warranty coverage as a new starter.
The ATS53 is built to the SAE 1 flywheel housing standard, which is common across a wide range of medium-duty diesel and gas engines in mining, marine, oil and gas, and industrial power applications. Multiple pinion configurations are available in both right-hand and left-hand variants, covering 9-tooth, 10-tooth, 11-tooth, and 12-tooth options across standard pitch and module specifications. Please provide your engine make, model, and ring gear details so the correct full part number — including flange code and pinion code — can be confirmed for your application.
The ATS53 installation requires a 100-mesh Y strainer (1 inch NPT, model YS1000) fitted upstream in the main supply line, with the RV1000 relay valve (1 inch NPT) connected directly to the strainer outlet via a short nipple. The Y strainer protects both the relay valve seat and the starter's precision turbine and drive components from particulate contamination that can accumulate in the air receiver over time. A minimum 1/4-inch (6 mm) O.D. control line connects the SC25 starter control button to both the relay valve pilot port and the starter's 1/8-inch NPT control inlet. Installation of the Y strainer is a mandatory requirement of the product warranty and must not be omitted from the system.
A minimum interval of 15 seconds is required between consecutive start attempts. This pause allows the ATS53 turbine rotor, output drive assembly, and the engine itself to come to a complete standstill before the control is re-activated. Attempting to initiate a new start cycle while any of these components are still rotating can cause significant impact damage to the pinion teeth, flywheel ring gear, and the internal piston and drive mechanism — damage that is excluded from warranty coverage. Always confirm visually that all rotating components have fully stopped before initiating the next start attempt.
Yes. The ATS53 nose housing can be indexed in 30-degree increments relative to the motor body by removing and refitting the six retaining cap screws, allowing the air inlet port to be redirected to the most practical angle for hose and pipework routing in space-restricted engine compartments. Care must be taken not to damage the O-ring between the nose housing and gear adaptor during repositioning. This adjustment can be carried out in the field without specialised tooling and makes the ATS53 practical to install in a wide range of engine compartment configurations. Always follow the installation manual for the correct procedure and fastener torque values when repositioning the nose housing.
Our engineers will confirm the correct ATS53 flange code, pinion configuration, and system components — including relay valve, Y strainer sizing, and air supply line requirements — and provide full technical documentation and a competitive quote tailored to your engine and application.
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