PTO Link - Anyone using it?

[Doug62]

Does this thing work well? At $400 and another $225 per shaft for additional pieces, I want to know that this thing works as advertised and isn't just another piece of junk.

 

[justman777]

I looked at those. Looks pretty neat, but after watching guys put them on and off, I have to wonder if the time/effort saved is worth the cost. That's a lot extra to fork out for each PTO based implement. Guess it depends on your level of frustration.

 

[Tinhack]

Yeah, my shafts go on easier than that thing. All I do is push a button and it slips on. I just cringed when I saw the guy fumbling around with it to align then inserting a pin. What the heck? Where's the saved time? Looks like a finger smasher to me.

 

[Mat4644]

With the PTO Link both halves still need to be in alignment. If not one shaft needs to be rotated. Still a major PIA.

Their competition offers a setup at the same price point that doesn't need alignment and just slips together. The coupling unit is designed to rotate enough to allow connecting without rotating equipment or tractor PTO shafts.

 

[ovrszd]

I put a PTO shaft condom on my tractors when not being used. I keep the PTO tractor shafts and the implement PTO shafts lubed. I see no need for this contraption at all.

 

[Mat4644]

Better than PTO Link - PTO Connect

 

[ovrszd]

Or that one.

 

[Mat4644]

Deere Qwik Knect

 

[jeff9366]

There never seems to be enough demand from new-to-tractor owners for aftermarket suppliers to be viable over the mid to long term. The experienced don't need them.

New PTO powered implements, connecting to new tractor PTO splines are always difficult. Once implement and tractor PTO parts are somewhat worn in, connection becomes easier.

Lubrication and technique are the keys.

Most here like Eureka Fluid Film as PTO lube. I prefer wax chain lube in an aerosol can.

Grease is too thick.

WD-40 burns off. Shaft goes on "OK" but can be difficult to remove when hot.



Connect all TPH pins. Lift implement until implement PTO shaft and tractor PTO spines are perfectly level, one with the other.

Turn tractor engine off, so tractor PTO splines can be turned by hand.
Turn male splines by hand until they align with female shaft indents. Slide shaft onto tractor splines.
If the PTO shaft and tractor splines are not perfectly level it is almost impossible to slide shaft on to splines.

I am 73 years old. If I can connect PTO without too much difficulty, you should too.



SSQA is money well spent. PTO quick connects are needless complication. (KISS Principle.)

Note: Your tractor and my tractor have the same power.

 

[Doug62]

Watched a Tractor Mike video earlier where he marked the PTO shaft coupler with a paint pen so he knew where the grooves were. Not sure it it was all that helpful but it was a decent idea.

 

[Mat4644]

Not all tractor PTOs freely rotate by hand, even engine off or in neutral. Second not all latches easily depress even after repeated use and not all couplers freely slide on even after break in. This is even with clean surfaces and a light lube applied.

With Chinese and some other imported couplers be prepared to tweak if you want easier operation.

 

[Tinhack]

And the PTO Link doesn't eliminate any of those situations.

With the tractor off, my PTO shaft moves easily. Even if it didn't the implement shaft should move enough to align the splines. It's not going to be more than about 1/4" of movement in either direction. That's how I engage mine. I don't like touching the output shaft except to wipe it off with a rag.

 

[Sportsman762]

PTO Link has 4 pins that need lined up. A 540RPM PTO has 6 splines. So you have to rotate it 50% more (max rotation required of 45 degrees instead of 30 degrees) to line up if you have PTO link vs a regular PTO. Also it adds more weight to the end of the PTO after the universal so there is more to hold up. Since it is after the universal it will flop around forcing you to hold it by the yoke (were it is always greasy). The unit is not covered by any safety shields so it does not meet any ASABE spec's, one accident and the company is done. It extends the PTO out causing potential issues the driveline being too long. If your cursed with one of the horrible collar style pto yokes switch it out with a pin style, they are much easier to deal with. The cost of a pin style yoke is under $50 for most drivelines. The PTO Link is a expensive mousetrap that actually makes it harder to hook up implements.

 

[Mat4644]

PTO Connect is the one that doesn't need shaft alignment. The coupler has enough play to allow the notches to align. Don't know about the Deere system and alignment. PTO Link doesn't look like a good solution.

I replaced a couple springs that were too hard to depress, polished pins and debured and polished 2 that were difficult to slide on. All of mine now easily slide on and off. Light spray lube on each before and after.

For someone with only one tractor and just a few implements the the Deere setup looks slick.

 

[ptsg]

With today's modern machining and processing capabilities, I still can't quite figure out why tractor manufacturers won't just simply bevel each spline on the PTO shaft to help hook the PTO shaft. Pretty much what JD uses on their Auto connect decks.

Made a quick 3D drawing. Hopefully what I'm trying to say comes through. While I don't really have any problems connecting the PTO shaft, I can understand that for some can be tricky. Specially with so much in the way.


View attachment 669184

I shared this on another thread about hard times with PTOs. It also applies here.

One could also grind this shape with a grinder but can be tricky.

 

[txndncowboy]

Does this thing work well? At $400 and another $225 per shaft for additional pieces, I want to know that this thing works as advertised and isn't just another piece of junk.

I made a post about this quick connect in a batwing thread. I thought I'd get a bunch of discussion but all I got is, "you'll probably get flamed". I didn't care if I had got flamed because I love the PTO Quick hitch. The shaft drive and PTO connection on my batwing is so darn hard to connect and heavy, that I took the chance on this hitch and glad I did. I can now once again use the mower as I had stopped because I just couldn't deal with it. The hardest part about it is a one time shortening of the shaft to accommodate the space the quick hitch takes up. The batwing was hard to do. Another brush hog mower was easy as was my post hole digger. If you have someone to help it would be that bad but I don't normally so had to do it alone.

I've now purchased 3 more of the extra shaft parts so I don't have to mess with moving that one piece to other equipment except for the truly easy ones to deal with. And after some of that equipment sits for a year or more even those are not that easy to get the pin to move again. I wish this thing had been available 30 years ago. It truly saves a bunch of time no to mention pinched fingers. Yes, it's expensive but once you get one in your hands you'll see why, it's very well made. I only questioned one part on it and that's a little plastic keeper thing.

But I'm about to say it isn't needed if it ever breaks but not positive on that yet. If there is a real need, safety-wise, then almost anything will work...piece of rope or several wraps of wire twisted together at the end would do the same. I don't see where they sell a replacement but they are great to work with and they might have them. An email would be my first thing if it does ever break. It just keeps the one part to get it disconnected from moving forward but I'll be darned if I can see how that would ever happen. But that's what it's there for.

Yes, I like the thing. Simple as that. And here's the thread where I made a post when I got it and tried it, #10...

Ring under a Batwing Mower

I'm not ready to buy a batwing yet, but I enjoy looking at what's out there. One of the things that I don't understand is the ring that goes around the stump jumper. What does it do?

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[DaninOhio]

I am very interested in this thread as I am not getting any younger, stronger, or smaller. Being 6'3" and 200+ lbs. I have never meshed well with my CUT, got it for my wife to use and have plenty of others I'd rather use when needed. This being said I still use it and have always dreaded hooking up the PTO, always wack my head or get poked in the ear hole at least. Just wish this could be made easier.

 

[oosik]

I use motorcycle chain lube. Some times it goes easy - a few times it's a PITA.

Those difficult times could have a lot to do with my attitude going into the project.

 

[scootr]

I've been using the PTO quick hitch for 2 years. 2 mowers on/off alot. It's easier than a bare driveline attachment. Plus it gave me a 4" extension which compensated for the Pat's Quick connect. No regrets on this addition. The teeth are about 5/16 wide so shaft rotation is minimal to align and engagement is spring loaded. Pretty simple to use. And it stays clean to handle.