3-Point Hitch Broke my PTO Differential Gear Case. Bearings shattered!

[Fallon]

If you cut half a shaft short, the long half will still bottom out & cause problems. It doesn't matter if the inside or outside is long. The end of the long shaft will still hit the yoke for the U joint.

You don't have to get things cut perfect, but both halves should to be in the same ballpark. If the long half is short enough to not bottom out by a couple inches in use AND there is enough overlap (generally 1/3 of the shaft length) you should be fine.

 

[CobyRupert]

Typically one can eyeball and test (prior to hooking up the pto) at what 3pth, and attachment height, results in the shortest PTO shaft requirement.
In most cases this is when the attachment's pto shaft is straight back and level. (results may very, as there may be some attachment configurations where the shaft gets shorter as the equipment is lowered or raised.)

I figure that if the pto shaft can slide short enough, with hopefully a few inches to spare, to attach to the tractor at this height, then there must be a few inches of safety cushion once the pto shaft slides/extends onto the tractor's spline and clicks in.

 

[V7Sport73]

The problem was the OP knew the shaft was too long, so the "solution" was to rototill with the extendable 3 point hitch arms in the loose extension position (allowing the slightly longer pto shaft to "fit".
The problem came when he raised the 3pth and the extendable 3pth arms slide back and clicked in their proper shortened operational position. Then he lowered the 3 pth with the too long PTO shaft...

Yes, that is exactly what happened. I do have a quick hitch but was anxious to try my new tiller.

 

[V7Sport73]

Parts arrived today. Interestingly enough the new differential case was not painted. I got started on the break down on the tractor. About 4 hours so far. I carefully removed each part returning the bolts into the holes that came out of. I also labeled parts that might be difficult to remember which direction they are mounted.

 

[V7Sport73]

Moving along I have the differential off. Getting ready to reassemble everything. About 8 hours working on it so far...

 

[Ford850]

Nice progress. Are you still taking to a shop to get the bearings reset?

 

[dodge man]

Nice job so far. I like people that when they break their stuff, they don't whine about it but step up and fix it.

 

[hawkeye08]

I've read about things like this and made a mental note to check shafts before hooking up, have forgotten each time, could have been a disaster. Hope I remember to check if I ever buy another implement. Expensive lesson to learn.

 

[George the Beagle]

You're not afraid to tackle what to me would be a big job, fraught with all sorts of opportunities for me to screw up. I'm impressed.

 

[JB13502]

Following with interest. Thank you for including some great pictures! :thumbsup: