What is the maximum operating pressure for the ATS63 and ATS64 turbine air starters?

The maximum permissible supply pressure for both the ATS63 and ATS64 series turbine air starters is 150 psi. The standard recommended operating pressure is 100 psi, which delivers optimal starting performance while keeping mechanical loads within design limits. Operating consistently above 100 psi toward the 150 psi maximum should be reserved for applications where additional cranking torque is required, and should not be the routine operating condition. The air receiver must be manufactured to an applicable pressure vessel standard such as AS1210 or equivalent.

What is the difference between the ATS63I and ATS64 turbine air starters?

The ATS63I and ATS64 are both turbine-driven compressed air starters with identical turbine motor and silencer assemblies, but they differ in their pinion drive mechanism. The ATS63I uses an inertia drive: as the turbine rotor accelerates, centrifugal force drives the pinion outward along a helical spline to mesh with the engine ring gear, then retracts automatically once the engine fires. The ATS64-2 uses a pre-engaged pneumatic piston drive, where air pressure pushes the pinion into mesh with the ring gear before the turbine begins spinning, providing positive engagement. The ATS64 is also slightly longer overall (12.387 inches versus 10.6 inches for the ATS63I) and features a 360-degree indexable housing for flexible installation.

Which relay valve and Y strainer should be used with the ATS63 and ATS64?

The ATS63I is designed to be used with the RV1000 relay valve (1-inch NPT) and the YS1000 Y strainer (1-inch NPT, 100 mesh). The ATS64-2 uses the AR1000M relay valve, which mounts directly onto the starter air inlet port using two screws. Both setups require the Y strainer to be installed upstream of the relay valve to protect the valve and starter internals from contaminants accumulated in the air receiver. A 1/4-inch (6 mm) control line connects the starter control button SC25 to the relay valve and starter motor. Fitting the Y strainer is also a requirement for warranty coverage.

How long should I wait between engine start attempts?

A minimum delay of 15 seconds is required between consecutive start attempts. This waiting period allows all rotating components — including both the starter turbine and the engine — to come to a complete stop before re-engaging the starter. Attempting to restart while the engine or starter is still rotating can cause severe damage to the pinion, ring gear, and internal drive components, and will void the product warranty. Always confirm that all components have fully stopped before initiating the next start attempt.

What flange and pinion options are available for the ATS63 and ATS64?

Both the ATS63 and ATS64 series are available with SAE flange options from SAE 1 through SAE 4 to match the flywheel housing of the target engine. Pinion configurations include a range of tooth counts and pitch options to suit common engine ring gears, including 9-tooth 3 MOD, 10-tooth 8/10 pitch, 11-tooth 6/8 pitch, and 12-tooth 8/10 pitch in both right-hand and left-hand configurations. Additional options include mining-grade cast iron construction, inertia drive, threaded exhaust outlets in multiple sizes, Kelly spinner muffler, motor ports at 90 degrees, and reduced or short muffler variants. Contact us with your engine make and model to confirm the correct flange and pinion combination.

Turbine Air Starters

Turbine Driven | 150 psi Rated | SAE 1–4 Flange

Engine Starting Systems · Turbine Air Starters · Pneumatic Starters

Austart ATS63 & ATS64 Turbine Air Starters – Compressed Air Engine Starting Systems for Heavy-Duty Applications

The Austart ATS63 and ATS64 turbine air starters are compressed air-driven cranking systems engineered for dependable heavy-duty engine starting in the harshest industrial environments. Spark-free by design and rated to a maximum of 150 psi, they deliver high cranking torque through a turbine rotor and planetary gear reduction to the engine flywheel ring gear via an SAE-flanged pinion assembly. Available in inertia drive (ATS63I) and pre-engaged pneumatic piston (ATS64) configurations, these starters are the go-to solution for mining, marine, oil and gas, and stationary power generation applications where electrical starting is impractical or presents an ignition hazard.

Turbine Air Driven

150 psi Max Pressure

360° Indexable Housing

SAE 1–4 Flange Options

Key Features

The Austart ATS63 and ATS64 turbine air starters are pneumatically driven engine cranking systems that use compressed air to spin a turbine rotor, transmitting torque through a planetary gear reduction to the engine flywheel ring gear via an SAE-flanged pinion assembly. The ATS63I features an inertia drive mechanism for automatic pinion engagement, while the ATS64 uses a pneumatic piston pre-engaged drive for positive pinion mesh before cranking begins. Both models are built from precision-machined components across three serviceable sub-assemblies — nose, motor, and silencer — and are engineered for long service life in mining, marine, oil and gas production, and stationary power generation applications where reliable engine starting directly impacts operational continuity.

Turbine-Driven Compressed Air Power — No Electricity Required: Both the ATS63 and ATS64 operate entirely on compressed air, eliminating the reliance on batteries, alternators, or electrical wiring in the starting circuit. This makes them inherently suited to hazardous area installations where spark-generating electrical equipment poses an ignition risk, as well as to remote or mobile equipment where maintaining charged battery banks is impractical. The turbine rotor delivers rapid acceleration with substantial starting torque across the operating pressure range from standard 100 psi up to the 150 psi maximum.
Dual Drive Options: Inertia (ATS63I) and Pre-Engaged Piston (ATS64): The ATS63I inertia drive uses centrifugal force generated by the accelerating output shaft to extend the pinion into the engine ring gear along a helical spline, then automatically retracts when the engine fires and exceeds starter speed. The ATS64 pre-engaged drive uses pneumatic air pressure to push the pinion forward into positive mesh with the ring gear before the turbine rotor begins spinning, ensuring full engagement at the moment of cranking. This choice allows engineers to specify the best drive type for each application based on engine type, ring gear configuration, and starting duty cycle.
360° Indexable Housing for Flexible Port Orientation: The ATS64's motor housing can be continuously indexed through a full 360 degrees relative to the nose assembly, allowing the air inlet port and control ports to be positioned at the most convenient angle for hose routing and space constraints within the engine compartment. On both the ATS63I and ATS64, the band clamp connection between housings can be temporarily loosened to re-orientate the sections without full disassembly, providing additional installation flexibility on engines where access to the flywheel housing is limited from certain directions.
SAE 1 through SAE 4 Flange Compatibility: The ATS63 and ATS64 series are available with flange configurations to match SAE 1, SAE 2, SAE 3, and SAE 4 flywheel housings, covering the widest range of diesel and gas engines encountered in industrial and mobile equipment applications. This broad flange compatibility, combined with the extensive pinion tooth count and pitch options available, means a correctly specified starter can be sourced for virtually any engine application without the need for adaptor flanges or non-standard pinion arrangements.
Three-Planet Gear Reduction for High Cranking Torque: Inside the nose assembly, a three-planet epicyclic (planetary) gear set reduces the high rotational speed of the turbine rotor output to the lower cranking speed required at the engine ring gear, while simultaneously multiplying the output torque. The planet gears run on precision bearings within the spider hub assembly and are lubricated with grease during assembly. This gear reduction stage is the critical link between turbine power and practical engine cranking performance, and its robust design supports the high start frequency requirements of many industrial and generator applications.
Integrated Silencer/Muffler Assembly for Noise Reduction: Each starter includes a multi-stage muffler assembly consisting of an outer sleeve, end cover, baffle plate, spacers, and springs that significantly attenuate the exhaust air noise produced when the starter discharges at the end of each start cycle. This built-in noise attenuation reduces workplace noise exposure for operators working near the engine during starting, and eliminates the need for separately sourced exhaust silencers in most applications. Optional alternative muffler configurations — including Kelly spinner, short muffler, and threaded exhaust outlet variants — are available for applications with specific noise or exhaust routing requirements.
Mining-Grade Cast Iron Construction Option: For the most demanding mining and heavy extraction applications, both the ATS63 and ATS64 are available in a mining specification variant with cast iron housing construction. The cast iron option provides enhanced resistance to the heavy mechanical impacts, vibration, and contamination that are characteristic of underground mining, quarrying, and surface mining environments, where starter longevity and serviceability under extreme duty cycles are primary selection criteria.
Three-Piece Serviceable Design with Genuine Service Kit: Both starters are constructed as three distinct, independently serviceable sub-assemblies — the nose assembly (drive and gear train), the motor assembly (turbine and rotor), and the silencer assembly — connected by band clamps. This modular architecture allows a trained technician to disassemble, inspect, and rebuild any sub-assembly independently without special tooling beyond standard press equipment and circlip pliers. A genuine AUSTART service kit containing all serviceable seal, bearing, and O-ring components is available to support scheduled maintenance intervals, ensuring the starter is returned to full factory specification at each service.

Applications

Mining Equipment and Haul Trucks: Underground and surface mining operations rely on large diesel engines to power haul trucks, excavators, drilling rigs, and pumping units in locations where battery-based starting systems struggle with extreme temperatures, high vibration, and the absence of reliable charging infrastructure. The ATS63 and ATS64 turbine air starters operate independently of electrical systems, making them the practical and safety-compliant choice for diesel engine starting in underground coal mines, hard rock operations, and surface extraction facilities where compressed air infrastructure is already present.
Marine Propulsion and Auxiliary Engine Starting: Vessel propulsion engines, generator sets, fire pumps, and auxiliary machinery aboard commercial ships, offshore platforms, and workboats require reliable engine starting that functions in the salt air and high-humidity conditions of the marine environment. Turbine air starters eliminate the corrosion and discharge problems associated with marine electrical starting systems, and their compact, flanged design integrates directly with the engine flywheel housing without requiring separate mounting brackets or drive couplings.
Oil and Gas Production and Compression: Gas engine-driven compressors at wellheads, compression stations, and gas processing facilities present some of the most demanding engine starting requirements: high compression ratios, frequent start cycles, and classified (hazardous) area electrical requirements. The spark-free operation of the ATS63 and ATS64 turbine starters makes them the standard specification for gas engine starting in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas where electrical equipment must be certified explosion-proof, while their robust construction supports the continuous start duty typical of gas lift and injection compression service.
Stationary Power Generation Sets: Diesel and gas generator sets used for prime power, standby power, and peak shaving require fast, reliable starting to meet grid connection requirements and load pickup times. Turbine air starters provide the high cranking torque needed to turn over large bore, high-compression generator engines, and their independence from the generator's own electrical system means the engine can be started even when the main bus is de-energized — a critical capability for blackstart and emergency generator applications.
Industrial Gas Processing and Petrochemical Plants: Compressor drivers, pump drivers, and emergency diesel fire pumps in refineries, chemical plants, and liquefied natural gas facilities operate in process environments where managing ignition risk is a primary engineering requirement. Compressed air engine starting systems are the preferred solution in these facilities, and the ATS63/ATS64 series can be engineered with threaded exhaust outlets and specialized muffler configurations to meet the specific exhaust management requirements of enclosed machinery enclosures and classified area installations.
Heavy Construction and Drilling Equipment: Large diesel engines powering construction plant such as crawler cranes, pile drivers, rotary drilling rigs, and tunnel boring machines operate in remote, dusty, and high-vibration environments where maintaining a functional electrical starting system is a persistent challenge. The mechanical simplicity and proven durability of the ATS63 and ATS64 turbine air starters reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs in these applications, where equipment availability directly determines project progress and contractual performance.

Technical Specifications

Specifications listed below apply to the Austart ATS63I and ATS64-2 turbine air starters. Model-specific values are indicated where the two variants differ.

Parameter	Specification
Starter Type	Turbine Air Starter (Pneumatic)
ATS63I Drive Mechanism	Inertia Drive (centrifugal pinion engagement on acceleration)
ATS64-2 Drive Mechanism	Pre-Engaged Pneumatic Piston Drive (positive pinion engagement before cranking)
Standard Operating Pressure	100 psi
Maximum Operating Pressure	150 psi
Main Air Inlet	3/4" NPT (both models)
ATS64 Control Ports	1/8" NPT (inlet and outlet)
Minimum Supply Hose I.D. (up to 15 ft / 5 m)	3/4" (19 mm) for ATS64 · 1" (25 mm) for ATS63I
Minimum Supply Hose I.D. (over 15 ft / 5 m)	1" (25 mm) for both models
Control Line Size	Minimum 1/4" (6 mm) O.D.
ATS63I Overall Length	10.6" (269 mm)
ATS64-2 Overall Length	12.387" (314.6 mm)
ATS63I Flange to Pinion	1.860" (47.2 mm)
ATS64-2 Flange to Pinion	1.839" (46.7 mm)
Flange PCD	5.000" (127.0 mm)
Mounting Hole Pattern	3 holes · Ø 0.407" (10.3 mm) · R 2.062" (52.4 mm) PCD
Spigot Diameter	Ø 3.498"–3.496" (88.80–88.85 mm)
Overall Width (muffler end)	3.500" (88.9 mm)
ATS64 Housing Indexing	360° continuous indexing
Pinion Rest Position	Flange-to-Ring-Gear (FRG) spacing less 1/8" (3 mm)
Standard Flange Options	SAE 1, SAE 2, SAE 3, SAE 4
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
ATS64 Relay Valve	AR1000M (mounts directly to starter inlet port)
ATS63I Relay Valve	RV1000 (1" NPT, connected via short nipple to Y strainer)
Y Strainer	YS1000 · 100 mesh · 1" NPT
Band Clamp Torque	4 ft lb (6 Nm)
Turbine Rotor Special Nut Torque	25–30 ft lb (30–40 Nm)
Re-start Delay	Minimum 15 seconds between start attempts
Mining Specification Option	Cast iron housing (suffix M in part number)
Special Options Available	Inertia drive · Threaded exhaust (1.5", 2", 3") · Kelly spinner muffler · Motor ports 90° · Short/reduced muffler · BCB pinion · U-configuration
Warranty	12 months from date of purchase (first user)

Technical FAQ

Common Questions Answered

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The maximum permissible supply pressure for both the ATS63 and ATS64 series is 150 psi. The standard recommended operating pressure is 100 psi, which delivers optimal starting performance while keeping mechanical loads within design limits. The air receiver must be manufactured to an applicable pressure vessel standard such as AS1210 or equivalent, and a one-way check valve should be fitted at the compressor outlet to prevent backflow into the compressor.

The ATS63I uses an inertia drive mechanism: as the turbine rotor accelerates, centrifugal force drives the pinion outward along a helical spline to mesh with the engine ring gear, then automatically retracts once the engine fires. The ATS64-2 uses a pre-engaged pneumatic piston drive, where air pressure pushes the pinion into positive mesh before the turbine begins spinning. The ATS64 is slightly longer (12.387 inches versus 10.6 inches for the ATS63I) and features a 360-degree continuously indexable housing for greater installation flexibility.

The ATS63I is used with the RV1000 relay valve and the YS1000 Y strainer (1-inch NPT, 100 mesh). The ATS64-2 uses the AR1000M relay valve, which mounts directly onto the starter air inlet port. Both systems require the Y strainer upstream of the relay valve to protect the starter internals from contamination. A 1/4-inch control line connects the SC25 starter control button to the relay valve, completing the pneumatic control circuit. Fitting the Y strainer is also required to maintain warranty coverage.

Yes. Both models feature a band clamp connection between the motor housing and nose assembly that allows the two sections to be rotated relative to each other through 360 degrees without full disassembly. Carefully loosen the band clamp without removing it, rotate the housings to the desired position, then re-torque the band clamp to 4 ft lb (6 Nm). On the ATS64, the entire motor housing assembly can be independently indexed through 360 degrees, offering additional flexibility in positioning the air inlet and control ports to suit confined installation spaces.

A minimum delay of 15 seconds is required between consecutive start attempts. This pause allows all rotating components — including the starter turbine and the engine — to come to a complete stop before re-engagement. Attempting to restart while the engine or starter is still rotating can cause severe damage to the pinion, ring gear, and internal drive components, and will void the product warranty. Always confirm that all components have fully stopped before initiating the next start attempt.

Both series are available with SAE 1 through SAE 4 flanges and a range of pinion tooth counts including 9-tooth 3 MOD, 10-tooth 8/10 pitch, 11-tooth 6/8 pitch, and 12-tooth 8/10 pitch in right-hand and left-hand configurations. Additional options include mining-grade cast iron construction, threaded exhaust outlets in 1.5, 2, and 3-inch sizes, Kelly spinner muffler, motor ports at 90 degrees, Beryllium Copper Bronze pinion, and U-configuration. Contact us with your engine make and model to confirm the correct part number for your application.