Bent PTO shaft

MikePA · Apr 3, 2002

You might want to mention to the dealer that if he's using a tilt bed to deliver tractors with 3ph implements, they should disconnect the driveshaft, or at least be aware of the potential problems. My TC25D was delivered on a tandem axle trailer where the angle wasn't as severe.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2002

...they should disconnect the driveshaft...

Uhhhhh....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Mike, you brought us back to peg 1..../w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

The dealer would have absolutely no reason to hook up the PTO shaft for transporting on his trailer for delivery...

Now... was the PTO shaft connected at time of delivery or not...Brad dig some more pictures out...? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2002

Bird...

Are you following all this... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

This is evolving into a real tractor mystery novel.../w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Ok tractor detectives... solve this "tractor crime"... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MikePA · Apr 3, 2002

The dealer would have absolutely no reason to hook up the PTO shaft for transporting on his trailer for delivery...

I agree...but I can see the following scenario..

Mechanic at the dealer sets the tractor up and makes sure all the attachments work, shortens the driveshaft, hooks it up to verify, etc.

Sales Manager asks if Brad's tractor is ready to be delivered.

Yep.

Delivery person is told "Load that tractor and deliver it to this address."

Delivery person hops on the tractor, drives up to the tilted bed, cutter scrapes the ground as he starts up the bed. Easy solution - grab the 3ph lift lever and pull it the whole way back. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2002

… I agree...but I can see the following scenario…

or…/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

The mechanic “slipped” the yoke on (never bolted it down), took his measurements (measure twice – cut once…), took it off… cut… and….

Never put it back on… because his cut was right the first time?…

Tossed{nicely} the PTO shaft assembly in the delivery pile and said “Driver… deliver this to it’s new home sweet home…” /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2002

… I agree...but I can see the following scenario…

…or ...or ...or...(applying the law of averages…?)

The mechanic slipped on the PTO shaft, tested and never had to measure or cut anything… found out it was absolutely perfect… as the manufacturer designed it that way… , then slide it back off and said, “Driver…. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif”

(Brad's photos hold the secret... but don't tell us just yet Brad... we're still having fun... /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif)

pennwalk · Apr 3, 2002

PTO shafts are built up of components. The shafts are either pressed into the yokes or welded. Either way they can be repaired. If you bent both halfs of the shaft repairing may be more expensive than replacing. Agri Supply (1-800-345-0169) sells Eurocardan Shafts. They are pretty reasonably priced as PTO shafts go. Even so PTO shafts are expensive.

Chris

BKColeman · Apr 3, 2002

No more pics yet, but you're certainly right. It was indeed hooked up when delivered.

And it had been cut, I asked him if it had (just curious because I was glad I didn't have to cut it myself /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif).

I do hope I've got some better pictures at home now that it has turned into a mystery...

BKColeman · Apr 3, 2002

I was wondering if one side could be replaced, instead of the whole thing. Only one half of the shaft was bent (the end going to the tractor, not the gearbox). I put my level beside the otherside and it was straight as an arrow.

I guess that gives further evidence that John's theory on how it got bent is correct. Now I'm just worried about how it will all get resolved.

BKColeman · Apr 3, 2002

Mike, another question for you, since you just bought the same cutter. Does your gearbox have this plastic bell shaped cover over the shaft as in this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/46-127276-L3010.JPG>picture</A> of Frank Mulligan's new L3410 w/ the BB60?

I noticed my neighbor's looked like this but mine doesn't. Mine looks the same as the end that attaches to the tractor(ie the plastic shield looks the same on both ends of the shaft).

I'm just wondering if mine is an older model or if it is missing something.

--Brad