PTO shaft questions

[David, Surrey UK]

I'm new to tractors, and today I used the PTO for the first time. The first thing I noticed is that the two ends of the PTO shaft aren't the same but there was no indication which end goes on the tractor and which on the implement. One end has a sort of ring lock; the other end has a single push bolt. After some internet research I decided that the single bolt end should probably go on the tractor. BTW, this is a Cat 1 540 rpm shaft (6 splines). The PTO shaft is a sort of yellowish colour, I don't know the make.

[b:0ac8fa8f9e]Q1: Does it matter which end of the shaft goes where?[/b:0ac8fa8f9e]

[b:0ac8fa8f9e]Q2: Why are the two ends different?[/b:0ac8fa8f9e]

Having read a lot of safety warnings and horror stories about injuries and deaths from PTO shafts, I made very sure the shaft ends were securely in place. However, in use the implement end kept coming loose and detaching itself from the implement (a three-blade rotary mower). The tractor end stayed put all the time, no problems there.

The implement end is the end with the ring lock. There are three little balls which protrude into the waist on the splined shaft (not sure what the technical name for this is!) and which are released by pulling back the ring against the force of a spring. However, this lock doesn't seem to do its job properly. When you push the shaft fully home it clicks into place, and pulling it shows that it's locked correctly. But if you give it a sharp outwards tug, it comes loose. I'm not very strong, so my sharp tug doesn't represent much force!

[b:0ac8fa8f9e]Q3: Is this normal or should the shaft stay firmly in place until the ring lock is released?[/b:0ac8fa8f9e]
(I think it should, for safety's sake.)

I actually have two of these PTO shafts, both the same type, both brand new, and both from different places -- they came with their respective implements. I checked the ring lock on other shaft, with another implement, and it did exactly the same thing. So I don't think it's a problem with the implement or with a single shaft.

Oh, and before I did all this I took the two halves of the telescopic shaft apart and applied some grease so they slid in and out easily. I also greased the universal joint nipples and put a bit of grease on the splined ends. When I reassembled the shaft I made sure the UJs were correctly phased. In use the shaft is only slightly extended, maybe 10-20% of its length.

[b:0ac8fa8f9e]Q4: Where am I going wrong?![/b:0ac8fa8f9e]

Please help a newbie in distress! I want to use my mower.

David

 

[chess]

First are you sure drawbar lenght is correct ? When you turn it should still have a little room to telescope together(get shorter) On other hand drawbar should be correct lenght so it doesnt pull apart. Since you said it is a new shaft paint might be giving you a problem an not locking as they should. Soak them with diesel fuel or wd40. Also since you are new to tractor i would advise you to ask advise from local experienced farmer. You need to find problem beforeyou use mower as pto shafts are dangerous if not properly connected.

 

[chess]

Read your post again an realized your pto shaft has two different ends. I believe bolt end should go on implement an end with collar that you pull back to release balls should than go on tractor an balls will lock on groves on tractor. Other end with bolt should go on implement an probably will only go on at spot where bolt will fit in grove in shaft.

 

[Sid]

Every piece pf PTO driven equipment that I have used the female (hollow) section goes on the implement.

 

[paul]

Many implements have a stub shaft with a hole in them for a bolt; smooth shaft no splines; keyed. Some combination of that.

Are you _sure_ the implement end has a splined shaft sticking out of it with the notch in it for the balls to lock into????? Are you sure it looks exactly like the tractor pto shaft? (I know some newer implements do come this way....)

And no, it is _not_ normal or safe to use it the way it is (not) working for you....

Myself I do not like the ring-lock ends, I prefer the single metal button type. I actually replaced an end on my moco because I hated the ring so much. I would try the shaft the other way to see if that locks in better for you?

As you lift & lower the implement it travels in an arc. The shaft will need to extend, retract, & extend again as it moves from all down, to mid height, to all up.

Be _very sure_ the shaft does not fully compress itself & is pushing so hard it wrecks something. Most of the time a new shaft needs to be trimmed to fit the thactor the new implement is put on. They often come 'a little too long' to allow for quick hitches, homemade 3pts that are a little out of spec, etc.

--->Paul

 

[David, Surrey UK]

(quoted from post at 04:24:56 08/30/07)
Be _very sure_ the shaft does not fully compress itself & is pushing so hard it wrecks something. Most of the time a new shaft needs to be trimmed to fit the thactor the new implement is put on. They often come 'a little too long' to allow for quick hitches, homemade 3pts that are a little out of spec, etc.

I think this may be the answer, as the mower rides quite close to the tractor -- even though I've set it as far back as it will go. The PTO shaft isn't so tight that damage is happening (hopefully) but it might be just tight enough to pop the lock. In any case the shaft's too long for comfortably connecting the ends when the mower's on the the hitch so my next move is going to be to shorten it and see if that improves things.

There's plenty of advice on that on the internet as to how to shorten PTO shafts, so I'll follow that and report back.

David

 

[David, Surrey UK]

Problem solved: the PTO shaft was too long. I cut 6 inches off each end and now everything works fine. I've just mown an acre of grass without any problems.

Thanks for your suggestions!

David