Is this safe? (PTO shaft/rotary cutter)

   / Is this safe? (PTO shaft/rotary cutter) #81  
bill333 said:
tthat would still give me about 8 inches of overlap on the shafts.
Click to expand...
Depending upon how you gauge overlap, that might not be enough margin. Rule of thumb is that operating overlap should be 1/3 the length of the shaft.

  • Attach the implement to the TPH
  • Do not connect the PTO shaft
  • Start tractor on level ground
  • Raise implement to where implement transmission input shaft is exactly parallel with tractor PTO stub.
  • Shut off tractor
  • Measure from groove in PTO stub to groove in input shaft
When the shaft is installed, this is the point where it will be the most compressed (shortest). Raised any higher - or dropped any lower - and the shaft extends (less overlap). It's at the shortest point where the overlap should be 1/3 of the length. So if you have a 42" shaft, the overlap at that point should be 14"- because it will only get shorter from there. Most experienced folks get a shaft that's too long, then cut it to fit.

//greg//
 
   / Is this safe? (PTO shaft/rotary cutter)
  • Thread Starter
#82  
Gregg, I used the approach you outlined and I have 13 inches of overlap on a 40 inch PTO shaft. I also tried moving the mower up and down as high as it can go (using a hydraulic top link) and it didn't seem to lengthen the shaft more than about 2 inches).
Everything worked great. Thanks all.
 
   / Is this safe? (PTO shaft/rotary cutter) #83  
bill333 said:
Gregg, I used the approach you outlined and I have 13 inches of overlap on a 40 inch PTO shaft. I also tried moving the mower up and down as high as it can go (using a hydraulic top link) and it didn't seem to lengthen the shaft more than about 2 inches).
Click to expand...
Well, 13 inches is a far safer margin than the 8" you first mentioned. But when I said raise and lower, I meant the three point hitch (TPH); specifically the lower lift arms. The hydraulic toplink should only enter the equation if necessary to
1. finish lowering the mower all the way to the ground (extend HTL)
2. finish raising the mower to the max carrying height (retract HTL)

//greg//
 
   / Is this safe? (PTO shaft/rotary cutter) #84  
Bill I think you have the problem solved. Good for you!! You hung in there and figured it out.

MarkV
 
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