I am new to TBN and just learning how to get around here, so will see if this is the right place to ask my question; it relates to some of the points above - a challenge with Pat's. So, I bought a Cat. 2 Pat's and put it on my Kubota MX5100. I have only used it 5-6 times and have had some of the challenges noted above with backing and alignment, but overall am getting the hang of it and liking the ability to come at pins from below without having to get off, kick 3 pt. arms, try and pull implements an inch one way or the other, etc. Learned quickly that adding 4"-5" length to the 3 pt. arms is a BIG DEAL. The top link issue came first, but solving that is pretty straight forward. My big challenge, and one that could still cause me to give up on Pat's, is the PTO shaft issue. All the PTO work is 540 rpm.
In addition to a 3 pt. corn planter for food plots and a 3 pt. sprayer, I use a JD 503 5' rotary mower and a JD 350 7' sickle mower. So when I hooked up the rotary mower, which has the 3 sided PTO shaft, I had about 4" of overlap. I ran it that way and it seemed OK, but I have been told that amount of overlap is really marginal and will eventually wear the shaft due to extra whip. When I hooked up the sickle mower, which has the rectangular 1" x 1 1/8" shaft, and lowered it to the ground the two PTO halves came apart. I have already done enough calling around to machine shops and PTO shaft suppliers to know that if I want to spend many hundreds of dollars I can have anything built I want and all will be right with the world. But I'm looking for advice on some other options; so here are my questions:
* I know more shaft overlap is better (as long as it doesn't bottom out at shortest length, usually with the implement up) but what is best advice on minimum overlap to avoid problems down the road? I've been told 6" to 10" but would benefit from your collective wisdom.
* I have been looking hard at sites that sell PTO shaft extensions, the kind that go right on the tractor PTO with either standard cross pin securement or a bolt that goes thru hole in center of tractor PTO shaft. I am familiar with that approach as I use a PTO adapter with clutch on my old Ford 9N when on the rotary mower; this would be similar but without the clutch. I found one that would extend the PTO shaft about 9", which would, I think, put my shaft overlap back in good shape. What is the advice on using those kind of extensions? I've had people tell me they will change angles of this and that and cause other problems, but I don't know.
* And finally, are there any other PTO extension approaches that have been tried with success, and any other cautions?
I am looking for long term solutions. I have to drive almost 100 miles to my farm, so when I get there I need things to work and I certainly don't want to damage equipment or create safety problems. Just giving up on the Pat's is still an option, but I'm not quite there yet. Spending lots of money to rework or replace PTO shafts is also an option, but I'm not quite there yet either. Thanks in advance for any advice.
