3-Point Hitch Found something I dont like

azchev · Apr 13, 2011

I've had my 3535 for the first month. Today I found the first thing I don't like. The PTO shield is bolted on and doesn't flip up. It only takes a couple of minutes to take on and off, but come on. For $20,000, I think it should have a flip up PTO cover. It's a real pain if your trying to change out implements and don't have a socket set handy.

groundcover · Apr 13, 2011

Glad you are putting it back on though ! When I was young we had a guy step over a PTO shaft to a trailer mounted sprayer, shield missing, wrapped the leg up in a heart beat. Almost tore it off but the driver stomped on the clutch and stopped it, they got the leg sewn back on but not the kind of day you forget ! Wonder if you could mount it with two bolts and locknuts from the side so it could flip up ?

EastBerkshireCustoms · Apr 13, 2011

Took mine off the 3215HST on day one, 4 years ago. I guess if you are dumb enough to play around a spinning PTO, you deserve what can happen. Besides, it is next to impossible to get caught that far up and close to the tractor, unless you are trying to grease the u-joint with the PTO running...

grsthegreat · Apr 13, 2011

get some heavy duty piano hinge and make your own hinge. Thats all the hinge amounts to on the tractors anyways.

azchev · Apr 14, 2011

Thanks for the ideas. I'll try the cheapest first. I'll try the bolts first.

jonyyuma · Apr 14, 2011

My PTO cover/guard was missing..two bolts there, one broken off. So I would be better off to make a replacement? That way I could make a hinged part. Problem is there really is not a lot of room to get caught up into a windup situation on a cut like mine?I would be more likely to injure my hand? Now I would like to see an example of memebrs whom have made hinged covers. Plz.

skipmarcy · Apr 14, 2011

EastBerkshireCustoms said:
Took mine off the 3215HST on day one, 4 years ago. I guess if you are dumb enough to play around a spinning PTO, you deserve what can happen. Besides, it is next to impossible to get caught that far up and close to the tractor, unless you are trying to grease the u-joint with the PTO running...

I have to agree with this pretty much - if you are ignorant enough to get around the rear of your tractor with the pto running you are too ignorant to be operating the equipment, period !! Most people learn some basics as children - don't stick your fingers in the bicycle wheel while spinning it, don't get your hands or fingers near the fan blades, don't smash your fingers in the door, etc. etc. It is only very basic common sense to stay clear of a rotating shaft that can hurt you.

grsthegreat · Apr 14, 2011

skipmarcy said:
I have to agree with this pretty much - if you are ignorant enough to get around the rear of your tractor with the pto running you are too ignorant to be operating the equipment, period !! Most people learn some basics as children - don't stick your fingers in the bicycle wheel while spinning it, don't get your hands or fingers near the fan blades, don't smash your fingers in the door, etc. etc. It is only very basic common sense to stay clear of a rotating shaft that can hurt you.

its more than just plain ignorance ....how bout a farm dog that gets too close, a jacket left on the seat that falls, running a wood chipper from behind while tractor is running.

The safety shields have a reason for being there. Keep them there

EastBerkshireCustoms · Apr 15, 2011

grsthegreat said:
its more than just plain ignorance ....how bout a farm dog that gets too close, a jacket left on the seat that falls, running a wood chipper from behind while tractor is running.

The safety shields have a reason for being there. Keep them there

I just don't see your reasoning here. It is next to impossible to get caught up in the u-joint coupler at the tractor, except maybe for that jacket falling down. FYI, I keep the shielding on the remainder of the shaft, where the real danger lies, but still don't hang around the rotating shaft, only common sense. Manufacturers install these shields for liability reasons. Do you wear your seatbelt each and every time you use your tractor? I grew up around the old 'belt n' pulley' implements. Now that was an accident waiting to happen.

bindian · Apr 18, 2011

azchev said:
I've had my 3535 for the first month. Today I found the first thing I don't like. The PTO shield is bolted on and doesn't flip up. It only takes a couple of minutes to take on and off, but come on. For $20,000, I think it should have a flip up PTO cover. It's a real pain if your trying to change out implements and don't have a socket set handy.

My 6520's PTO shield is hinged but pivots only a fraction of an inch. My brush hog is easy to hook up it's PTO coupler with it's twist lock, once it is aligned with the splines on the shaft. What kind of PTO coupler is on your tiller?
hugs, Brandi