Bent PTO shaft

[MikePA]

Brad, I just bought the same cutter, but havn't used it yet. I was very surprised when I read through the Woods manual and there is no mention of sizing the PTO shaft like there is in the KingKutter manual. Since you bought the cutter with your tractor, sizing the PTO shaft is something the dealer should have done, therefore he should be responsible for correcting any damage.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Brad,

To clarify things... I don't believe in this case, the PTO shaft was too long and bottomed out... but the 3-point hitch was raised too high causing this damage... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[MikePA]

Ah, now I understand! There are at least 2 ways to mess up a drive shaft. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

This is why the Woods manual states:

"IMPORTANT - With the cutter adjusted to transport position, set upper stop on tractor lift quadrant to prevent cutter from contacting the driveline when being raised."

Problem is, I just have a lower stop on my quadrant.

Brad, this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pbase.com/image/1395913>picture</A> might be where the damage occurred. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif/w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

 

[winchman]

Brad,

I'll have to second John's opinion on how the shaft got bent due to past personal experience. I've yanked the 3-point up all the way without looking back and then heard the pto shaft rubbing on the front lip of the brush hog. It got my attention real quick. Fortunately I didn't bend it. Just took a little paint off. I think this is something that everyone needs to look out for on a new hook-up.

winchman

 

[Bird]

For Brad's sake, we'll hope you're wrong, John, but I doubt it./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I think you got it figured out./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[BKColeman]

I agree with everyone that I think this what happened. However, I'm still feeling like it should be the dealer's responsibility, as he had to raise it to the highest position to get enough clearance to get it off of the delivery truck. He had a real time getting enough clearance to make it off, as you can about see in this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pbase.com/image/1395906>pic</A>, the rotary cutter is on the back then. In the picture Mike showed, I just drove it up the driveway in the same position. I'll let you know what he says after I talk to him.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[MikePA]

Good point, Brad. I didn't mean to accuse you of bending your own driveshaft! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif The dealer also had to raise the cutter to load it on the tilt bed. Unlike winchman's experience, since the drive shaft was not turning, you wouldn't hear anything.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...as he had to raise it to the highest position to get enough clearance to get it off of the delivery truck...</font color=blue>

...and someone had to get it on the trailer to begin with... Double whammy...?/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Brad,

I'd frame that picture... it probably just got you a "free" PTO shaft... /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

(too bad you don't have a side view shot...even better)

 

[BKColeman]

I didn't feel at all like you were accusing me. I have felt all along that it was probably something I had done.

I just got off the phone with the dealer, he's going to come out and look at it. I told him what I thought might have happened and he said it was very well possible. He won't be out until tomorrow, as this is a pretty busy time and the big ag customers come first (which I completely understand, even though he didn't say that).

He acted like he would take care of the problem. Luckily for me, I've already gotten him a sale. My neighbor across the street just opened a 95 acre boarding stable. He saw my tractor last Sunday, went and bought a TC 29D (and the same rotary cutter) from the same dealer on Monday. I told the dealer he was going to have to give me a good price on my next implement for getting him such a quick sale, but I may have to use that favor to get this fixed.

I just hope the tractor isn't damaged in any way from this.

--Brad

 

[BKColeman]

I very well might have a better picture at home. I told my wife to take a ton of pictures that morning. I only put a few of them that I felt were interesting on the internet. I've got at least that many more. I'll have to look them all over tonight real closely.

Thanks for your input. It is very much appreciated.