Drive tore in half

[Surewhynot]

My first use of an old cutter. Three point connected fine, chains were tight and the PTO attached fine...made two swaths and then the drive shaft tore in half? WTH? I know I can get a new drive shaft, but why? PTO speed was around 11 to 12. It was an older KingKutter and looked to be in good shape, and I greased it before use and the gearbox was full. Never had that happen before. Any thoughts?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My first use of an old cutter. Three point connected fine, chains were tight and the PTO attached fine...made two swaths and then the drive shaft tore in half? WTH? I know I can get a new drive shaft, but why? PTO speed was around 11 to 12. It was an older KingKutter and looked to be in good shape, and I greased it before use and the gearbox was full. Never had that happen before. Any thoughts?

Define (or post picture(s)) "tore in half". Did a u-joint fail? Did the center section of the shaft itself fail? Broken yoke? How long had it been sitting idle?

 

[Baby Grand]

I got a lotta diagnostics questions:

If your PTO shaft has a clutch, did you loosen the bolts and slip it before retorqueing and cutting? If it's a shear bolt, what grade bolt and what does it look like now? What were you cutting - grass, saplings, stumps?

 

[Ford850]

Until we see pics or have a better description it will be a guessing game. Here's my guess: Shaft was too short and over extended for the tractor, shear pin or slip clutch didn't release and the shaft twisted in two where it barely overlapped.

 

[Bird]

Shaft was too short and over extended

When he said "tore in half" that was my first thought; too short therefore not enough overlap in the middle.

 

[Surewhynot]

I wll buy too short a drive shaft. No damage to anything, just broke right in the middle of the shaft into two equal halfs. Guess it is off to TSC for a new shaft. This learn as you go stuff is expensive

 

[Surewhynot]

And thanks for the inputs, that was my guess as this was used on an old 8n before. I moved it as far in as the 3pt would allow, guess just not enough.

 

[Ford850]

And thanks for the inputs, that was my guess as this was used on an old 8n before. I moved it as far in as the 3pt would allow, guess just not enough.

Did it break in half, or just over extend and come apart into the 2 equal halves per design?

 

[Surewhynot]

It would appear that it seperated, but the plastic guard casing ripped in two. As it was pointed out...too short of a drive shaft. I will get a larger one at Tractor Supply when I get the chance. I see they carry three different sizes.

 

[Ductape]

I believe you can buy a PTO extension much cheaper than a whole new shaft...... just leave the extension on that shaft if you won't need it for any other impliments.