How do I get apart PTO shaft plastic shielding?

[Thood]

Shaft

bjcsc - that's a fair point, but I don't let anyone else use my tractor, and I know enough not to go near the pto shaft when its moving, and I don't let anyone near me when the tractor is running - good practive whether or not there are shields.

If you come into contact with one of those shields, you are already in trouble, and long past the stupidity point.

I see why manufacturers put them on, and thought about it before taking them off, but I'm convinced I did the right thing for me. Safety needs to start way before that shield.

And I'm actually the **** retentive type who ties ladders to trees before going up...

I don't find those tabs quite as easily workable as some, btw - hence the knife and recycling bin approach.

The plastic cover on my bush hog was to keep vines and young saplings from getting wrapped around the shaft

 

[LouNY]

Some of my pto shafts have no guards, a few have the standard ones.
I have contemplated ordering a couple of these;
Bare Co USA - Shaft Guard
there is a video link on the page that shows how easily these guards are to disconnect and reconnect for applications.
I have worked with them at different farms shows and they do seem very handy.

 

[CoyPatton]

You think???

I understand the point you're both trying to make but the plastic shield isn't there to prevent intentional contact with the shaft inside - it's there to prevent accidental contact, which by it's very definition, happens to people who know not to "play with the PTO shaft while it's operating".

I think it's a big mistake and an assumption of a lot of unnecessary risk to not use a cover...

I agree it is a mistake to not use the cover, but it amazes me how often I see the plastic shield/cover spinning with the PTO shaft (the shield not tied off on either end allowing the shaft to spin freely inside the non-spinning cover. I have even seen the provided chains wrapped around the cover and zip tied.
Less safe than designed.

 

[CoyPatton]

bjcsc - that's a fair point, but I don't let anyone else use my tractor, and I know enough not to go near the pto shaft when its moving, and I don't let anyone near me when the tractor is running - good practive whether or not there are shields.

If you come into contact with one of those shields, you are already in trouble, and long past the stupidity point.

I see why manufacturers put them on, and thought about it before taking them off, but I'm convinced I did the right thing for me. Safety needs to start way before that shield.

And I'm actually the **** retentive type who ties ladders to trees before going up...

I don't find those tabs quite as easily workable as some, btw - hence the knife and recycling bin approach.

Do you tied off your shield so that it does nor spin with the PTO shaft?
If not I understand why you believe it offers little protection!

 

[Fallon]

Even if its spinning with the shaft, it will probably provide protection. If you were to get tangled with a spinning plastic guard it should stop spinning, unlike the PTO shaft itself. No way I'd test or trust that, but its still better than nothing.

The attachment points for the chains are also intentionally weak. If there is enough drag between the shaft & guard to snap them, there was a problem.

 

[oosik]

I grease the U-joints on each end of the shaft. I pull the shaft apart and grease the male/female shafts. I grease the zerks on the cover's plastic bearings. I end up with grease EVERYWHERE. But when I tie the shield off - - I guess I'm safe. Installation - it's like trying to handle a greased 30 pound weenie. Thank goodness - I only need the PTO shaft for my Wallenstein chipper.

 

[tree grower]

The 4-foot shaft on my post hole digger was unused and outdoors for a few years, and when I wanted to use it, the m-f slip joint would not budge. It took a lot of effort from a 35,000# excavator to separate the halves which were held together with hardened grease. I cleaned the shafts thoroughly, and never use grease any more--just a little oil. Now that shaft goes in the barn after every use.

 

[Beeenvenue]

I have a Mohawk Brave rotary cutter. It was absolutely impossible to access the zerks for greasing. I ended up inadvertently destroying both end bells attempting to do so. I am going to order a BareCo with the retractable U joint covers and try that - for now I am operating bare and I am the only one around, but once we build a house I will have visitors and grandkids. By then I will have some type of guard/shield.

 

[chrise]

You think???

I understand the point you're both trying to make but the plastic shield isn't there to prevent intentional contact with the shaft inside - it's there to prevent accidental contact, which by it's very definition, happens to people who know not to "play with the PTO shaft while it's operating".

I think it's a big mistake and an assumption of a lot of unnecessary risk to not use a cover...

Old Thread but I wanted to share an experience. My Woods BB48 driveshaft shield for some reason won't properly extend so it covers the shear bolt. So while stationary I turned on the PTO to see if it worked (first use since last year) and the shear bolt did its thing and sheared off, with two ends flying off in different directions with a LOT of force. Lucky I wasn't in the path. A cautionary tale. Now I just got to figure out why the dam thing won't extend fully so it can cover both ends of the drive shaft..

 

[radios1]

The 4-foot shaft on my post hole digger was unused and outdoors for a few years, and when I wanted to use it, the m-f slip joint would not budge. It took a lot of effort from a 35,000# excavator to separate the halves which were held together with hardened grease. I cleaned the shafts thoroughly, and never use grease any more--just a little oil. Now that shaft goes in the barn after every use.

you should have used marine grease, it don't harden, dry out, or get washed out with water!..