Securing PTO safety shield

[brantley]

As was mentioned in another post, sometimes the little rings to keep a PTO shield from spinning will break off. I have a couple of shields where this has happend. I am curious how others have handled this.
My thought was to drill a hole through the shield and bolt on an eye bolt to attach the chain.
Are there any other suggestions besides replacing the shield.

 

[GaryM]

Would it be possible to use a worm type hose clamp to secure a welded steel ring to the shield? Then attach the chain to the steel ring.

My tractor's too new to have broken any parts off the PTO shield, but I think I'd give it a try when they do break off.

 

[beenthere]

I'm curious as to why one needs to keep the shield from spinning? Seems as long as it isn't connected firmly to the drive shaft, then it will not be harmful to anyone or anything that comes in contact with it. It will just stop spinning. Am I missing something?

 

[Bird]

I suppose this might be a little controversial, but . . .. My tiller came with the little chains to hold the driveline shield and keep it from turning. The chains very soon got pulled through and came loose, so the plastic shield turned with the PTO shaft and I let it. My finish mower came with the chains and they always worked; never pulled out. But my brush hog came without the chains and with no place to put any. It was intended for the plastic shield to turn with the PTO shaft, but it could be easily held by hand and stopped so it would still serve the safety purpose (I never actually tried to hold it or stop it myself with the PTO running, but when the PTO was not running, I could easily turn the shield on the shaft). Now . . ., in my opinion (so take it for what it's worth), there's nothing wrong with letting the shield turn with the PTO shaft. I'd check it every once in awhile to make sure it could turn freely, maybe even lubricate it, but if the chains keep it from turning, I figure eventually it's going to wear that plastic and some parts are probably going to have to be replaced, so not using the chains might make the shield last longer.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...I'm curious as to why one needs to keep the shield from spinning?...</font color=blue>

The chain doesn’t just prevent the shield from rotating… but it also prevents the shields from “creeping/slipping” down the shaft, and then exposing the open driveshaft underneath… (without depending on the nylon bearing carriers to hold it in place)(don’t forget you’ve got male/female parts…)

 

[beenthere]

That sure makes a lot of sense to me, and the "no wear" with "no chains" seems to be a good option. Depending upon which attachments are run by the PTO, most are of the ilk that they won't have anyone in contact or close proximity with them anyway (i.e. rotary cutters, finish mowers, tillers, power rakes). Others that may have someone working around the PTO shaft would be feed grinders, or possibly 3pt post hole diggers (if a second person is on the ground near the digger).

In the early days of PTO-powered items, such as powered wagons running while unloading their load, feed grinders, and silo fillers, there was a real need for the safety shields and safety shafts in place because bodies were close to the turning shafts.

Thanks for the input.

 

[brantley]

I like the idea of using hose clamps better than my first idea. Thanks.
For the ring, I think one of those key chain rings, where you have to slide the key on, would work. I have a few of those laying around.

 

[GaryM]

If you check the rotational freedom of the shield, and keep it lubed on a regular basis, I can see where letting it spin might not be too dangerous. But eventually you forget to inspect and lube...That's when you'll get hurt!

The shield is supposed to keep you from coming in contact with a rotating shaft, and that sounds like a fine idea to me.

Of course when I have as much tractor time as most of you do, I might feel differently. I don't use the blade guard on my table saw, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[Soundguy]

One thing to keep in mind. If the shield is stationary, it is much less likely that something will wind around the shaft.

Once that shield is spinning, it will carry some momentum, and who's to say when it will decide to bind ( at the worst possible time ).

Soundguy

 

[juadro]

I can't appreciate/understand the chains; BUT definitely am of the same feeling when Brantley mentions the plastic [probably nylon] retainer rings - one on the outermost ends of the inner shield and the outer shield. I see shields regularly that are crap because the plastic retainer rings broke - just try to buy the retainers separately ... then, please let me know from whom, so I can buy assorted pairs of them. TIA