Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go?

   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #1  
Supercharged86

Supercharged86

New member
Joined
Nov 13, 2016
Messages
11
Location
Cranston, Rhode Island
Tractor
Ford 335
Hello Everyone, I was hoping someone can tell me what the "Absolute" shortest (say end-end including yokes and joints) I can cut down a series 4 PTO shaft with 1-3/8" 6 spline on either end? I'm trying to build a homemade log winch using a vintage Ramsey #200R 8000lb winch that will be mounted fairly close behind the 3 pt arms (design version #1). Thanks in advance. Steve
 

Attachments

  • IMAG1911.jpg
    IMAG1911.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 211
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #2  
I've seen them with less than a foot of tube. But the hitch range of motion gets involved quickly as well as joint angle.
 
Last edited:
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #3  
I agree that the arm movement needs to be limited. The three point has the lift to mangle.
 
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Hi Guys, Thanks. Right now I'm looking at a length of 22" between shaft ends (PTO-Winch). I'm not sure how long the typical yoke and joint ends are but will this work? Any thoughts on length of travel at this measurement? Thanks. Steve
 
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #5  
Supercharged86 said:
Hi Guys, Thanks. Right now I'm looking at a length of 22" between shaft ends (PTO-Winch). I'm not sure how long the typical yoke and joint ends are but will this work? Any thoughts on length of travel at this measurement? Thanks. Steve
Click to expand...


I don't see a problem with the 22" length as long as you can keep it close to straight or aligned when operating. Most of the stress and wear is when the joints are not straight as possible.
 
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #6  
Also be sure to maintain proper overlap of the shaft profiles through the hitch range of motion.
 
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
RickB said:
Also be sure to maintain proper overlap of the shaft profiles through the hitch range of motion.
Click to expand...

Thanks Guys and Happy Thanksgiving. This is my first PTO shaft, is there a rule of thumb on the required overlap. Steve
 
   / Series 4 PTO shaft, how short can I go? #10  
This big issues are overlap, which has been well addressed, and u joint angle.

This chart describes how quickly the life of the joint is shortened by increasing the angle the joint operates at.

282dc37.jpg


Increasing the angle also causes the shaft to not operate smoothly inducing vibration.
Unlike the constant velocity joints used on all front wheel drive cars and now many all wheel drive ones as well, the rotational angles of the cardan style joints are not uniform throughout 360 degrees.
Yes if you turn one end of the shaft a full turn the other end will also turn a full turn but in between the full 360 degrees the amount of rotation is not always the same at each end. If you take a socket universal joint and try and turn a nut while the joint is at a strong angle you will feel the lumpy action I am referring to.

This link is to a government web site explaining to farmers the limitations of cardan joints

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng9924

Dave M7040

Sorry but I dont know why the link is not a link but you can copy and paste into your browser to read it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
 
 

Footer Links 1

Top