HOOKING UP BUSHHOG

[sandman2234]

Seems like 1/3 comes to mind, but I am guessing. I think cutting it off would be to the maximum you need, not the minimun you can get away with. More is always better, as long as it is short enough not to compress itself into the rear of the tractor. Take small bites, not one large one.
David from jax

 

[RoyJackson]

When determining how much to shorten the shafts, I guess I should check the amount of overlap with HTL extended. That position should require the most shaft length. How much overlap is recommended?? 4 inches or so.

See Post #34 below and thanks to rbargeon for the correction!.
So, I thought I'd post this for you:New Page 61 which discusses cutting PTO shafts to length

 

[rbargeron]

Wow, only 2" ?? Seems like the shaft would wobble a lot with that little engagement. Maybe I'm not understanding this right. I have read recently in a Eurocardan pto shaft manual that 1/3 overlap is recommended.

 

[RoyJackson]

Wow, only 2" ?? Seems like the shaft would wobble a lot with that little engagement. Maybe I'm not understanding this right. I have read recently in a Eurocardan pto shaft manual that 1/3 overlap is recommended.

My PTO shafts are both Eurocardan and I could definitely be wrong on this. Do you have a link to the specs?
BTW, mine were both trimmed to length by the dealer...all I did was check them. I'm pretty sure it wasn't 33% of length...but I think you may be thinking of collapsed length overlap

I found the link...it's right here and 1/3rd is correct.
Note the "Overlap" at lower right on this site

 

[rbargeron]

Glad you found it - I was looking but couldn't remember where it was.

You are right they say to overlap 1/3 of the individual shaft length (the collapsed length), not the extended length. I've always thought it was 1/3 of the in-service length that should overlap, but it's really just 20% of the total.

BTW - they show a sketch of what happens with too much torque - and I can say their shaft doesn't look that nice afterward

 

[flINTLOCK]

I am assuming that I want to shorten the smaller shaft that attaches to the tractor, rather and take some off of both shafts??

 

[hill]

I am assuming that I want to shorten the smaller shaft that attaches to the tractor, rather and take some off of both shafts??

If you're going to shorten it you'll need to take equal amounts from each side or it won't be able to slide together much farther than it does now.

I don't think the formula calling for 1/3 of remaining shaft as overlap is a good idea. It'd be fine for a long shaft but if the shaft is short, say less than 24" overall using that formula wouldn't leave a safe engagement length. A better idea, IMO, is to maintain a minimum of 3" overlap regardless the overall length. Less than that - buy a shorter shaft.

But back to installation technique for a minute - it took me awhile to discover that the implement end of a shaft is open at the inner end of the splined area. This allows the shaft lockpin to be slid right on past it's lock groove on the driven implement PTO shaft which in turn has the result of effectively shortening the shaft for hookup to the tractor PTO. Once the tractor end is correctly engaged, slid on, and pinlocked in place I go back to the implement end and slide the shaft end FORWARD until it engages the pin lock and clicks into engagement. For me this simple discovery was a revelation that ended some nightmarish episodes trying to hook up my brush cutter, which uses the shortest shaft I own.

 

[Chuck_Lind]

Your TC40's PTO shaft doesn't turn when the tractor is in neutral? My 790's does...

I tell ya...the frustration of hooking the cutter up is why I bought Pat's Easy Change system. It definitely saves time and cursing!

Curse??? Has ANYONE cursed at mounting a bushhog???

Nah...never happened?? Oh...maybe once!!

 

[flINTLOCK]

Thanks for your help. I don't think my PTO shaft has a lock pin where the shafts slide together. What limits the overlap of the shafts as they telescope?
I cannot check it right now, since tractor is at camp and unfortunately, I'm not. Does the actual contour of the overlapping ends change to round from keyed to provide the end point??

 

[john_bud]

Thanks for your help. I don't think my PTO shaft has a lock pin where the shafts slide together. What limits the overlap of the shafts as they telescope?
I cannot check it right now, since tractor is at camp and unfortunately, I'm not. Does the actual contour of the overlapping ends change to round from keyed to provide the end point??

There is no "end point" on the pto shafts. THey just slide into each other. There should be a grease zerk on the outer shaft to keep them sliding freely. If you have trouble sliding them, make sure they are greased up good. Maybe take it apart, clean, grease and reassemble is the best thing if you haven't been greasing.

To avoid the issues, buy a 5 or 6' long pry bar. I only back up enough to get real close -- not perfect. Then use the long bar to finesse the atttachment into place and to press the arms onto the pins (should they be tough). I also cheat and stand up facing backward to position the tractor. Easy with the HST - impossible without.

jb