PTO Quick Attach?

[JohnMaldaner]

Is there such a thing as a quick attach accessory for the PTO? I've got a quick attach for the 3-point hitch, but still, attaching the shaft of the bush hog to the PTO is a PIA. I've got a Kubota L2501 and the shield over the PTO, plus the longer reach to get to it because of the quick-attack hitch for the 3-point, makes this final link up a frustrating chore. Anything out there to take the pain out of this?

 

[tacticalturnip]

Yes, actually.

 

[Tropical Jack]

I am sure that I will be chastised by the safety police, but. I took the PTO guard off of my L3301. It made PTO hookup very difficult, and would often interfere with the hydraulic hoses for my BH77 backhoe.

Jack

 

[JohnMaldaner]

I am sure that I will be chastised by the safety police, but. I took the PTO guard off of my L3301. It made PTO hookup very difficult, and would often interfere with the hydraulic hoses for my BH77 backhoe.

Jack

Tell you what, at this point I might just remove mine, hook up, and put it back on. You are right. It’s disgustingly difficult with the guard the way it’s located.

 

[bigtiller]

Is there such a thing as a quick attach accessory for the PTO? I've got a quick attach for the 3-point hitch, but still, attaching the shaft of the bush hog to the PTO is a PIA. I've got a Kubota L2501 and the shield over the PTO, plus the longer reach to get to it because of the quick-attack hitch for the 3-point, makes this final link up a frustrating chore. Anything out there to take the pain out of this?

Hold the pto shaft an inch or two higher than it needs to be with a bungee cord.

Pushing it down a little is much easier to line it up with the splines than trying to hold it up

 

[mikester]

That IS the PTO quick attach

 

[oosik]

Not that I've ever heard of. The bungee cord trick is about the best it gets. John - you must suffer along with the rest of us.

Quick attach PTO or a permanent rodent repellent. Create either - you are a rich man.

 

[JohnMaldaner]

Not that I've ever heard of. The bungee cord trick is about the best it gets. John - you must suffer along with the rest of us.

Quick attach PTO or a permanent rodent repellent. Create either - you are a rich man.

I fear you are right! One thing I just learned about (yeah, I’m a bit slow on the uptake) is a PTO extender. That would seem to me to help a great deal. I could at least then see what I’m struggling with. I hear TSC sells them. Worth a try.

 

[bdhsfz6]

On my Kubota tractors, that PTO shield pivots upward for better access. Sometimes the bolts are too tight making it appear to be fixed in place.

One trick I've learned is to connect the PTO shaft BEFORE attaching the implement to the 3pt hitch. That way, you have more room to work.

Keep the spline clean & well lubed and put the cover on when not in use. A shot of WD40 in the shaft coupler also softens the dried grease and helps the teeth mesh.

 

[jeff9366]

I have tried to connect an implement to the tractor PTO for the first time.

I could not get the attachment to slide onto the PTO. I think it is a subtle alignment issue between the female splines of the implement and the male splines of the tractor PTO.


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

Clean mating parts, 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 disconnect when hot.



Connect the implement to the tractor via two Lower Link pins and one Top Link pin. Lift implement hydraulically until implement PTO shaft and tractor PTO spines are perfectly level, one with the other.

Turn tractor engine off, disengage PTO 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. Retract whatever type of detent you have, button or collar, then push the implement shaft the final two inches onto the tractor PTO stub.

If the PTO shaft and tractor splines are NOT perfectly level it is almost impossible to slide implement shaft on to PTO splines.

I am 74 years old. I can mount implement and connect the PTO on my heavier tractor without too much difficulty in five minutes


Hi folks...took a bit of time and fussing but wanted to update you. PTO connection problem was resolved by leveling the implement to the PTO.

Last edited: Apr 23, 2022

 

[jeff9366]

Don't add gadgets hoping to overcome your lack of experience.

The Kubota L2501 is a relatively light compact tractor at 2,700 pounds bare tractor weight. L2501 weight implements and PTO shafts are RELATIVELY light too. Someone markets a new PTO quick attach every year. Every PTO quick attach has failed the marketplace test since 1939.

Solicit technique. Practice.

 

[JohnMaldaner]

@jeff - I get what you’re saying. This Kubota isn’t my first or second tractor. Since adding Pat’s Quick Hitches, the extra reach to the PTO spline plus the PTO cover that only adjusts up a maddingly small amount, has resulted in an inability to get eyes on the spline and bad leverage. This, my inquiry. I’m not irritated enough to drop $370 on a quick coupler! But, I might spend a tenth of that on a PTO extender to see if that would at least provide better vision and leverage for the job at hand.

 

[ericm979]

If you can get the PTO in neutral or off so the shaft on the tractor will turn by hand, then you can just fit the shaft up to it and turn it until the splines line up. No need to look at it.

 

[Williy]

TSC has some here's one:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/pto?

New! PTO Link Compact Quick-Connect System - Duo Bundle (1 Tractor/Female Plate + 1 Implement/Male Plate), Fits Tractors Up to 40 HP

SKU: 227348199 $329.99

willy
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...plate)-fits-tractors-up-to-40-hp?cm_vc=-10005

​

 

[JohnMaldaner]

Couldn't find a PTO Extender at my local TSC, so I am going to rig up a bungee cord!

 

[jeff9366]

A bobbing PTO shaft suspended from a bungee cord will not align precisely with tractor PTO splines in a repeatable manner.

You have a predilection for complication.

I have a predilection for simplicity.
Post #10 requires NOTHING mechanical, just technique.

Wax lube on immaculately clean mating fixtures helps.

 

[JohnMaldaner]

A bobbing PTO shaft suspended from a bungee cord will not align precisely with tractor PTO splines in a repeatable manner.

You have a predilection for complication.

I have a predilection for simplicity. Post #10 requires NOTHING mechanical, just technique. Wax lube on the two mating faces helps.

Simpler yet!

 

[npalen]

Be sure, if adding a PTO extender, to check that the telescopic feature of the implement PTO shaft isn't going to bottom out.

I usually hook up the PTO before backing the tractor all the way to the implement leaving, say 4" distance. This gives more accessibility and facilitates the hookup. Just be careful no matter how you do it!

 

[Beeenvenue]

Couldn't find a PTO Extender at my local TSC, so I am going to rig up a bungee cord!

I bought an overrunning clutch for $80 on Amazon. Solved 3 problems at once:
1) flail mower spin-down
2) 2nd hand flail mower pto shaft 3” too short (clutch was 3-1/2”)
3) brought “pto shaft” out into view and within reach

 

[npalen]

Does your PTO extender run true? Some of them do not.