PTO shaft length

[Saucymynx]

Hi there. I recently picked up a new to me NH 575 Square baler. I went through and got it ready for the field and hooked it up to test things out. Everything went fine, thank goodness. I do have one question: with the PTO shaft attached, there is 7 inches of shaft exposed and 5 inches still in the female end of the shaft. This is sitting on level ground. I am wondering if that is enough shaft still left inside so that I don’t run the risk of it popping out and flopping around at 5:40 RPM. I can’t even imagine what a disaster that would be! I can move the drawbar in at the next stop is 2 1/2 inches in. That would leave 7 1/2 inches in the female and but only 4 1/2 Inches exposed. As I write this, I am inclined to move the drawbar in. The manual says 14 inches from tip of PTO shaft to center of drawbar hole. What would you do? Thanks for the advice

 

[kydick]

if you have to slide the baler tongue around to get your baler into working position the pto shaft should get shorter that would mean more of the shaft is in each other

 

[Tx Jim]

5'' slide into female shaft sleeve is sufficient as that 5'' is 100% of sleeve female internal length. Normally telescoping shaft length is maximum when tractor & Implement shafts are in a straight line. Exception is when crossing ditches & berms(terraces). Telescoping opposing u-joints are closer together in turns.

Changing tractor drawbar to a setting other than 14'' from end of tractor pto shaft(540 rpm) to center of tractor drawbar hole changes the symmetric relationship of the opposing u-joints telescoping driveline which can shorten expected lifespan of these u-joints. Incorrect tractor drawbar setting will cause undue vibration of telescoping shaft during short turns. If during 90% turn the opposing telescoping yokes don't bottom out but have slight clearances that the best one can do.