Bought a used finish mower, but 3-pt shaft is too short..

Domush · Jun 16, 2012

Have you ever bought an attachment with too short a shaft on it? What did you do about it? Can these be extended or is my only option to sell this shaft and buy a longer one? I can't find anyone locally selling a used pto shaft, and the new ones are more than I spent on the finish mower.

Any recommendations?

The finish mower is a Woods RM59 (the belt driven, no gearbox type). The shaft comes apart at 33" and I need a 36" shaft.

joshuabardwell · Jun 16, 2012

You may be able to find an extension at your local TSC or co-op.

bcp · Jun 16, 2012

joshuabardwell said:
You may be able to find an extension at your local TSC or co-op.

Extension, like this:

Extension Adapter - 0271033 | Tractor Supply Company

Bruce

greg_g · Jun 16, 2012

Don't. Those extensions add 4" at most. Given the numbers you provided, 1" overlap is not safe. 33" isn't a standard size either.. The previous owner apparently cut it down to fit behind a smaller tractor. Buy a new one. Most small (4' and 5') finish mowers come with a shaft that's between 27" and 30" closed.

//greg//

bcp · Jun 16, 2012

greg_g said:
Don't. Those extensions add 4" at most.

Right. I overlooked his measurements. Get a longer shaft, not an extension.

Bruce

gwdixon · Jun 17, 2012

There was a thread on TBN about a guy that found a 11" extension. Tractor Supply has them in store (at least mine does because I bought one) but not online. You may be able to order them from a local Tractor Supply or a tractor dealer.

Check your tractor's PTO connection shaft to see if it has a hole in it for bolting on an extension. Kubotas sometimes don't but maybe Yanmar does. If not, then you'll be left with no alternative but a new PTO shaft.

I'm no fan of extensions even though I have several. They are sometimes a bit wobbly and look like they might set up a vibration in the tractor's mechanism.

Do you have a PTO shaft from another implement that you could switch out when you want to use the mower? Perhaps one could be carefully cut and adapted to fit both implements. You'll need at least 6" of overlap for both to operate safely.

Also, check eBay for PTO shafts. Plus, you may be able to sell yours to offset the price of a new one.

jpm1 · Jun 17, 2012

Personally i would be very leary of putting a 11" extension on any of my tractors PTO 's.
First you are going to get wabble, if you do any heavy mowing for any length of time it is going to put strain on the PTO bearing and soon you'll be replacing the bearing and also buying a new and longer PTO shaft. I realize new shafts are an added expense but its a lot easier than bearing replacement.I have several old shafts collecting dust in my shop, it doesn't bother me a bit. Mind you now, do what you want but. . .I wouldn't do it. . . just my opinion now also, my tractors mow from 8 - 12 hours straight thru at a time. . .John

Zebrafive · Jun 17, 2012

jpm1 said:
Personally i would be very leary of putting a 11" extension on any of my tractors PTO 's.
First you are going to get wabble, if you do any heavy mowing for any length of time it is going to put strain on the PTO bearing and soon you'll be replacing the bearing and also buying a new and longer PTO shaft. I realize new shafts are an added expense but its a lot easier than bearing replacement.I have several old shafts collecting dust in my shop, it doesn't bother me a bit. Mind you now, do what you want but. . .I wouldn't do it. . . just my opinion now also, my tractors mow from 8 - 12 hours straight thru at a time. . .John

What he said :thumbsup: I don't own any extentions never will. Buy a new shaft and do it right.

greg_g · Jun 17, 2012

My guess is that guy's 11" was an overall length. I don't believe anybody sells one that adds more than 4" of actual extension.

//greg//

kootch88 · Jun 17, 2012

greg_g said:
My guess is that guy's 11" was an overall length. I don't believe anybody sells one that adds more than 4" of actual extension.

//greg//

I had the same problem when I added Pat's easyhitch and wanted more than 4 inches of overlap on the shaft, so I got one from Agrisupply.com. I have no wobble at all on mine. It has the slide lock instead of the pin. It gave me the extra 4 inches I wanted and I am happy with it. There is one that extends 11" out there that I looked at but felt it was too long and might create too much stress to trust.