How far can you extend a PTO shaft?

[North Country]

I just bought a tiller from a guy who had it on BX23. I'm putting it on a JD 2305 and the shaft is too short. Not only would it naturally be too short, I have Pat's easy change - which adds 4 in to the required length.

The local TSC sells 3in and 4in PTO extensions. I would probably need two 4in extensions - certainly not less than two. If I tried two, I'd put one on each end instead of stacking them.

How much extension is too much? Any other ideas?

Anyone have a long slip clutch shaft they haven't cut yet and want to swap? I'll pay freight both ways.

 

[RoyJackson]

I suggest you buy a replacement drive shaft and fit it as required so you don't need any extenders.

 

[North Country]

Even a cheap TSP slip clutch shaft is $250...that's an option, but certainly not my preferred one.

 

[acme97]

You could look at getting a new shaft from Agri Supply Company. They are fairly reasonable. I had to get a separate pto shaft for the tiller I was running on a Yanmar 2000 since I didn't want to cut the one I was using for the rotary cutter. Found it much more easy that way.

 

[radman1]

If the useage for the tiller is not extensive, you could probably use the 2, 4" pto extensions. I frequently use a single extension because I have quick hitch. Any extension creates a bit of slop in the system. I use mine on the attachment side. If you just using the tiller several hours/year, I would go the cheap route of 2 extensions but not stack them.

 

[kennyd]

Two extensions would be far to sloppy IMHO, you are asking for trouble if you do it.

 

[RoyJackson]

Two extensions would be far to sloppy IMHO, you are asking for trouble if you do it.

Yep..premature wear in the tractor's PTO shaft, bearings and seals...

 

[North Country]

Turns out the TSC ones aren't usable as just extensions - they're adapters to change shaft size (and also extensions by default.)

This company sells extensions up to 4".
Double HH Quality Products

I'm going to play some musical chairs with my shaft ends to see if I can't get a combination that works on all attachments. I cut my shafts as long as possible - maybe that practice will help me out tonight.

 

[RoyJackson]

Turns out the TSC ones aren't usable as just extensions - they're adapters to change shaft size (and also extensions by default.)

I'm going to play some musical chairs with my shaft ends to see if I can't get a combination that works on all attachments. I cut my shafts as long as possible - maybe that practice will help me out tonight.

I got mine from TSC, but I had to go to the store to find one. One thing might help is to search for PTO adapters. They do (or did) sell a 1.375/6 flute female to 1.375/6 flute male (which is what I have and you need). Cost was about 20 bucks. I only use this adapter on my PTO chipper.

When mixing matching those other shafts, just make sure there's no way it can bottom out. That can be destructive to the tractor's PTO.

Agri-Supply has pretty good prices on the full drivelines.

 

[North Country]

I got a combination that works. Here's the followup question - what's the minimum amount of overlap you want in the shafts? I now have a setup where there's about 3" of overlap when raised; more when it's down and working. I couldn't find specs from any manufacturer on the overlap minimum - all instructions say cut as long as possible, which is what I've always done.