How dangerous is YOUR PTO?

[GreenYellow]

I agree. I have almost never left the seat with the PTO running. The last time I did, I was brush hogging and had to step off to pick up a big chunk of concrete. I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near the shaft. I treat it like a sawmill blade. Even after disengaging the shredder, it spins for a good 2 minutes.
For me, the cover isn't necessary, although I'll probably replace or fix it at some point. I'll still never give myself a chance to tangle with it. Sounds like most of us see it the same. (Basically)

 

[ovrszd]

I agree. I have almost never left the seat with the PTO running. The last time I did, I was brush hogging and had to step off to pick up a big chunk of concrete. I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near the shaft. I treat it like a sawmill blade. Even after disengaging the shredder, it spins for a good 2 minutes.
For me, the cover isn't necessary, although I'll probably replace or fix it at some point. I'll still never give myself a chance to tangle with it. Sounds like most of us see it the same. (Basically)

Let me offer a tip.

When disengaging a PTO implement I always throttle the tractor to an idle before disengaging. This brings the PTO shaft to idle speed and dramatically shortens the "run on" time. I do this because I'm 63 years old. By the time I get off the tractor I'll forget I even had the PTO implement running and walk right into it.

 

[GreenYellow]

Let me offer a tip. When disengaging a PTO implement I always throttle the tractor to an idle before disengaging. This brings the PTO shaft to idle speed and dramatically shortens the "run on" time. I do this because I'm 63 years old. By the time I get off the tractor I'll forget I even had the PTO implement running and walk right into it.

Good tip. Just this week I loaded the tractor on the trailer after finishing with the shredder. I disengaged it way before I loaded it, but still waited a minute or 2 before I chained it down for the shredder to stop. At least I know all the bearings are good! Ha!

 

[ovrszd]

Good tip. Just this week I loaded the tractor on the trailer after finishing with the shredder. I disengaged it way before I loaded it, but still waited a minute or 2 before I chained it down for the shredder to stop. At least I know all the bearings are good! Ha!

Most tractors have a PTO brake. I idle down to reduce wear on that brake. Obviously your tractor does not have one, or it is non-functional.

If equipped, it's purpose is to prevent the run-on you are describing. When the tractor engine is turned off, it releases. This is so you can turn the tractor shaft to align the splines when hooking up a PTO shaft. If you can turn your shaft when the engine is running, you definitely don't have one.

 

[bucktaker]

I replaced my missing shield with a lenght of plastic drain tile works pretty good at keeping the debris from wrapping up

 

[GreenYellow]

Most tractors have a PTO brake. I idle down to reduce wear on that brake. Obviously your tractor does not have one, or it is non-functional. If equipped, it's purpose is to prevent the run-on you are describing. When the tractor engine is turned off, it releases. This is so you can turn the tractor shaft to align the splines when hooking up a PTO shaft. If you can turn your shaft when the engine is running, you definitely don't have one.

Definitely don't have one. Dual stage clutch, but no PTO brake. Never caused a problem, just a minor inconvenience sometimes like previous example. Like you said, throttling down would solve it all. When I was traveling back to the truck in high gear I just knocked the PTO engage handle down, so it was at full rpm at that point.

 

[GreenYellow]

I replaced my missing shield with a lenght of plastic drain tile works pretty good at keeping the debris from wrapping up

I was considering something similar. The problem with my shredder setup is, if i raise the lift ALL the way up, the shaft contacts the top front edge of the deck, cutting the shield. This one was done this way before I bought it, but I've also lifted it too far countless times since.

 

[ovrszd]

I replaced my missing shield with a lenght of plastic drain tile works pretty good at keeping the debris from wrapping up

Very good idea. Might have to play with it a little to get the length right so you could still hook/unhook PTO shaft. In my case it would ride down next to the tractor, which is where any wrap problems are going to happen. Thanks for the tip!!!

 

[Teachu2]

Let me offer a tip.

When disengaging a PTO implement I always throttle the tractor to an idle before disengaging. This brings the PTO shaft to idle speed and dramatically shortens the "run on" time. I do this because I'm 63 years old. By the time I get off the tractor I'll forget I even had the PTO implement running and walk right into it.

Then it probably takes you two minutes to get off the tractor..:laughing:

My old 4' bush hog had remnants of a PTO cover when I bought it. I stripped it bare and used it with care. I'm still new enough to tractors that I shut it off before I leave the seat - my size 14 feet tend to disturb levers as I mount/dismount. I prefer to avoid the indignity of being run over by my own tractor.

 

[oosik]

I've never had to replace the plastic shield/cover. I bought an entire new shaft when I got the new tractor & I think it was around $300. I would seriously look into plastic drain pipe etc prior to paying $200 for a new shield.

However, I would want to be certain the plastic df pipe was doing the job. It makes me shiver just to think of my flannel shirt beginning to wrap around the PTO shaft.