The appropriate PTO shaft is essential for ensuring a smooth and seamless transfer of power between a tractor and an attached implement or machine. Size is a crucial consideration when choosing a shaft, as is the PTO driveline series.
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If you make a mistake or measure incorrectly, you will likely cause damage to the shaft, tractor or implement — or all three. Furthermore, you may need to replace the PTO shaft tubing, U-joints, yokes or other shaft components.
If you’re in the market for PTO shafts or parts, you’ll find no shortage of options. Finding the right PTO shaft for your equipment can be challenging with so many choices, but PaulB Parts makes finding the right PTO shaft easy. This article offers advice on choosing proper PTO parts that will work with your equipment. We also provide extensive resources so you can determine what you need and offer the guided support of our knowledgeable staff.
PTO Shaft Selection Tips
Determining the correct PTO shaft that will function properly with your tractor is crucial to the maintenance and effectiveness of your equipment. Follow this advice to find just what you need the first time.
1. Determine if Your Driveline is North American
The first step in deciding which PTO driveline you need is figuring out if your PTO is North American or metric. You can easily determine this by the shape of your driveline’s tubing. Look at the shape of the tubing on your driveline. North American PTO drivelines are typically one of four shapes: square, round, rectangle, or splined.
On the other hand, a driveline shaped like a lemon, star, or with three lobes is likely metric. Specifically, lemon and star profiles typically belong to a German series PTO shaft. A tri-lobe profile indicates it is an Italian series shaft.
2. Take Appropriate Measurements
Next, take two measurements from the U-joint that is on the tractor or the drive end of the PTO:
• Measure the bearing cap diameter: Most U-joints have uniform cap diameters. Cap diameters can differ among Constant Velocity drivelines. For best practice and further accuracy, measure all caps.
• Measure the cross-kit width, cap to cap length: You will also need to measure the U-joint from the end of the cap to the end of the cap. To get the most accurate reading and increase your likelihood of finding the right PTO shaft, remove the cross-kit from the yokes before measuring.
Keep in mind the fact that some series are not uniform in width. Measuring the cross kit both ways is the best practice to ensure accuracy.
3. Look at Your Existing Equipment for Specifications
Locate the snap ring. If it’s in the bushing, it’s an internal snap ring. If not, it’s likely in the yoke ears and is an external snap ring. Note the bearing diameter, cap-to-cap overall length and snap ring type. It’s also important to know the amount of torque and horsepower needed to move through your PTO shaft. Male and female parts should have at least 6 inches overlap for torque load. Check the owner’s manual if you are unsure.
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One of the key factors in getting quality equipment is knowing how to take care of your existing equipment. When your equipment is not in use and is stored outside, take the PTO shaft off the machine, tractor or mower and keep it inside to avoid rust-causing moisture and prolong the life of your driveline.
Get a PTO Shaft that Works with Your Tractor
You need to consider several factors when purchasing a PTO shaft, and after you buy, you may find that you need to make a few adjustments so the shaft is the perfect size for your tractor. For example, you may need to cut your driveline to the proper length for operational overlap. If you raise your implement to get the shaft on, you could end up damaging your equipment. You should have an overlap of at least one-third between the shaft and tube. With a slip-sleeve, there will be about 3 inches of overlap.
If you need to shorten the shaft, check out our tips on cutting your shaft to size. We want to make this process easy for you by providing online resources and offering access to our team’s experienced knowledge by so you feel confident in the parts you buy. PaulB Hardware can help you find the PTO driveline you need! Browse our selection of PTO shaft drivelines online to find all the parts you need.
Research PTO Shaft Details Before Making the Final Purchase
PaulB Hardware provides a variety of resources to make your shopping experience more effective. We offer videos, articles and diagrams to help you understand the details of the parts you are purchasing. Our website has content that will help you with the following:
• Figure out the proper PTO series: We offer a thorough step-by-step process for determining your PTO Series through careful measurements. We’ve even included a handy tool to make the sizing process even easier!
• Taking apart a universal joint replacement: PaulB Hardware provides a comprehensive guide that tells you how to take apart a universal joint replacement, complete with pictures and detailed captions.
Despite good maintenance, top quality materials and innovative technology, there will come a time that you need to replace your PTO shaft. After all, safety and efficiency are serious priorities in your work! Power take-off shafts for agricultural machinery and tractors come in various sizes and models: how do you know which PTO shaft you need? Just follow this step-by-step plan to make the right choice.
Step 1 – Check the cover of the current model
Check the cover of your current PTO shaft. Manufacturers often detail the size and model on the cover around the PTO shaft. If you’re lucky, you won’t have to try any further steps.
Step 2 – Italian or German model?
Often, that cover is broken or missing. What do you do then? Take a closer look at your power take-off shaft: does the shaft have any universal joints on either side, or a wide-angle coupling on a certain side? What model of profile tube is on it? The answers to these questions will give a good indication of whether it is a German or Italian model. Italian models often use triangular tubes and the German variant uses lemon-shaped or star-shaped tubes. With this information, we will know what group of PTO shafts to search in.
Step 3 – Measure various components
Now take some measurements. Measure the universal joint, which is in the coupling; The Universal joint Cap diameter dimension and the length of universal joint end of cap to opposite end of cap. On the universal joint you will often find a number to denote the size of the PTO shaft. Measure the profile tube too. The diameter of the sliding rings on the cover is another useful measuring indicator. The cover is often missing or worn, so it is a good idea to measure inside the groove the rings go in.
Step 4 – Determine size
Once you have all that information, you can often determine the size of the PTO shaft. This does not tell you everything, because you still have to determine what kind of connections your tractor and machine have. Determine the thickness of the PTO stub and how many splines are on it. Another point to note is whether this PTO has a sliding, neutral or other type of coupling and security for that machine. You will need to take that into account too.
Step 5 – Determine length
Next, determine the length of the PTO shaft. All power take-off shafts come in a few basic lengths and it is common for them to need to be shortened. There is a lot of difference in the sizes and lengths of the PTO shafts; this is related to the driving force needed. Measure the length from the centre of the universal joint to the centre of the opposite universal joint in the shortest position.
Step 6 – Setting the Clutch Device
Often the clutch device has a setting marked into the side of the clutch housing. This is something to keep in mind when purchasing a new PTO shaft. You will want to buy protection device with the same torque setting. If you pick the wrong setting, the machine will not function properly and may even suffer serious and expensive damage.
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