Posthole Digger PTO Shaft Question......

[gltrap54]

I've decided to replace rather than repair my PD's PTO shaft....... I'm finding TSC wants $300 for one while Amazon has one for around $100..... Could there be that much difference in quality? :confused3:

 

[oosik]

I would be VERY careful picking the cheaper PTO shaft. As a simple matter of fact - I WOULD NOT PURCHASE OR USE the $100 PTO shaft. Its a matter of simple safety. Most all sites selling reputable farm implements and equipment will have their PTO shafts in the $300 range. There has to be a difference in the quality of the two different shafts and this could very easily be a concern for your safety.

TSC will stand behind their PTO shafts because they come from a known manufacturer with known quality - - I wonder, will Amazon?

 

[LouNY]

There are a multitude of PTO shafts available, different shaft styles, different overload protection and most importantly different HP ratings.
Most post hole diggers are using low HP rated PTO shafts, which can be purchased relatively inexpensively.
When comparing prices compare power ratings.

 

[mikester]

I would be VERY careful picking the cheaper PTO shaft. As a simple matter of fact - I WOULD NOT PURCHASE OR USE the $100 PTO shaft. Its a matter of simple safety. Most all sites selling reputable farm implements and equipment will have their PTO shafts in the $300 range. There has to be a difference in the quality of the two different shafts and this could very easily be a concern for your safety.

TSC will stand behind their PTO shafts because they come from a known manufacturer with known quality - - I wonder, will Amazon?

100% agree

Stick to name brands that are either North American or European made. It's cheaper to spend an extra $200 for quality than $2,000 in tractor repairs.

 

[HayDR]

Here are some choices:
- PTO Shaft-PTO Shafts | Agri Supply 12265 AGMATE which is Walterscheid China
- Tx1 88/152 Pto Shaft 8618 - 1 1/4 Round Implement End Eurocardan

Both come OEM on many of the post Hole diggers that are shear pin.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

There are a multitude of PTO shafts available, different shaft styles, different overload protection and most importantly different HP ratings.
Most post hole diggers are using low HP rated PTO shafts, which can be purchased relatively inexpensively.
When comparing prices compare power ratings.

That ^^^ is the RIGHT answer right there...

SR

BTW, when I needed my last pto shaft, I went to a guy that sells "used farm equipment" and he sold me a HIGH QUALITY pto shaft in excellent shape for $45.00...

 

[Z-Michigan]

Here are some choices:
- PTO Shaft-PTO Shafts | Agri Supply 12265 AGMATE which is Walterscheid China
- Tx1 88/152 Pto Shaft 8618 - 1 1/4 Round Implement End Eurocardan

Both come OEM on many of the post Hole diggers that are shear pin.

Great post. I was going to suggest looking at ASC, he has done all the work for you.

I wouldn't trust Amazon for something like this (and 10,000 other things). But TSC prices are sometimes laugh-out-loud. When you can buy a decent new PHD for $800 I have a hard time believing that the PTO shaft has to cost $300.

 

[Peter 315]

Surplus center has some pto shafts under $200 bucks

 

[Dave M7040]

COMER is the Italian based world wide company that many quality pieces of farm equipment use. They manufacture pto shafts, gearboxes, etc.

On youtube there are COMER videos on the correct way to adjust the length of the pto shaft plus other informative topics
How to grease the guard ring bearing and the universal joint on pto drive shaft - Comer industries - YouTube

Remember, if the pto shaft on a post hole digger breaks you are likely close by.
Sometimes when they break at the implement end they flail around like a Knight's war weapon.

There is an important relationship between the angle you ask the pto joints to work and their life expectancy.

The life expectancy range is from 20 hours at a high angle to 450 hours on a minimum angle.

Replacing the joints before they break will avoid the more costly problem of bent yokes

Buying COMER parts is easy and you can just change the actual shaft if you need to increase the length

Dave M7040

 

[gltrap54]

Great post. I was going to suggest looking at ASC, he has done all the work for you.

I wouldn't trust Amazon for something like this (and 10,000 other things). But TSC prices are sometimes laugh-out-loud. When you can buy a decent new PHD for $800 I have a hard time believing that the PTO shaft has to cost $300.

I was shocked when I checked the price at TSC! It looks like ASC has one for $100 that might work......... I didn't see a HP rating on it.....