How dangerous is YOUR PTO?

[GreenYellow]

It has only been in recent years they have started such things. None of the old iron had the safety shields. You shouldn't have anyone anywhere near a spinning PTO shaft, shields in place or not. Lots of dangerous stuff on machinery, there is never enough caution around such things. Maintain shields as best as possible, but when they fail it isn't the end of the world...

I think the $149 would have had to have been a full shaft...

Haha! Yes, I was surprised to pick up an empty plastic tube and see $149.99 on it too. I put it back pretty quick. They want 299 for most of the shafts with guards. Weasler PTO Guard, 902-3548 - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[GreenYellow]

Every guy I've talked to that is missing his plastic cover somehow looses his lynch pins also and tears up his top link. Literally every single time!

Brett

No joke Brett! Me too! Craziest thing...

 

[Fawken]

If it came with them, yes they work and I haven't tossed them. This includes the backhoe and the tiller. The Hico mower never had one. The PTO guard that came with the tractor got taken off decades ago. Couldn't see much use in it. It only covered the shaft plus 3-4 inches.

 

[nybirdman]

The people that remove or don't replace are the same ones that don't need that silly seat switch that shuts the tractor off when no one is in the seat.
I live in farm country and have seen the results of not using this safety equiptment;and it's not pretty at all.
I will keep mine on and what-ever replacement cost is,it's a lot less than severed arms and a thrashing death.

 

[CalG]

Why they make the anti-rotation chain tabs so small and flimsy is anyone's guess. I've got a couple of those torn through, but the plastic sleeve is still in great shape.

I suppose a screw and nut securing some sort of chain hook would be an easy fix.

 

[bcp]

Get some small 1/2 3/4 inch D-rings made for web straps and hold one on with a worm gear hose clamp.



Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

It has only been in recent years they have started such things. None of the old iron had the safety shields. You shouldn't have anyone anywhere near a spinning PTO shaft, shields in place or not. Lots of dangerous stuff on machinery, there is never enough caution around such things. Maintain shields as best as possible, but when they fail it isn't the end of the world...

I agree. I cannot think of ANY situation where I would leave the seat of my tractor, with PTO running, and squeeze myself between the rear tractor tire and the brush cutter, to insert myself into the spinning shaft???? What would be the goal of such an adventure???

I also don't think of it as the end of the World if my PTO sleeves aren't functioning fully or missing. But on a brush cutter, for example, my biggest concern is tall plants getting wrapped on the PTO shaft if not protected. That will upset your rhythm for sure.

My Kubota has a shrill siren that goes off if you leave the seat with the PTO running. I've never figured that out. If I need a siren to tell me my PTO attachment is still running I probably need to stay off the tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

The people that remove or don't replace are the same ones that don't need that silly seat switch that shuts the tractor off when no one is in the seat.
I live in farm country and have seen the results of not using this safety equiptment;and it's not pretty at all.
I will keep mine on and what-ever replacement cost is,it's a lot less than severed arms and a thrashing death.

No flame intended. Just difference in uses. I won't own a tractor that shuts off the engine every time I leave the seat. I don't even understand the need for that??? On a lawn tractor, got it, on a CUT or larger tractor, don't got it....

 

[RoyJackson]

There is only one implement that uses the tractor as a stationary power unit...that's my chipper. The PTO drive shaft cover does not rotate with the shaft itself and I give it wide berth (at least 5-6 feet) even with the cover.
The RFM and rotary cutter...well, if I'm going to leave the tractor, the PTO shuts the tractor down if I don't disengage it.

 

[ovrszd]

There is only one implement that uses the tractor as a stationary power unit...that's my chipper. The PTO drive shaft cover does not rotate with the shaft itself and I give it wide berth (at least 5-6 feet) even with the cover.
The RFM and rotary cutter...well, if I'm going to leave the tractor, the PTO shuts the tractor down if I don't disengage it.

Good rules Roy!!!!