4 Advice to Choose a Pto Shaft

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.

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.

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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.

&#; Choosing between a Weasler E kit and a Weasler R kit: We know the importance of getting the right product the first time. That&#;s why we have a video detailing the difference between Weasler E kits and Weasler R kits to help you decide which one is right for you.

Truck

First, you will need to review the build spec sheet from the truck manufacturer. This will help in determining if the truck has a PTO prep package already installed or if you will need to hard wire into the electrical system. It may also help to determine what PTO you can use because of restraints such as room in the chassis.

Transmission

Then, you will need to know the transmission make and model from the truck you are spec&#;ing. Knowing the transmission make and model will help to determine what percentage of engine speed, output options, torque and horsepower loads the transmission can handle. You will also need to consider the maximum engine speed when choosing a pump, which is commonly listed as a percent of engine speed. The transmission will help you know which types of PTOs are compatible.

Type

Next, you need to know which type of PTO you will need. There are many different types of PTOs that are compatible with Endurant transmissions: 

• Engine Mounted PTOs

Front Engine (FEPTO) and Rear Engine (REPTO) PTOs mount to either the front or the rear of the engine. They receive power directly from the engine. These types of PTOs are known as live PTOs which means they can maintain hydraulic pressure even when the engine is at a lower speed and are useful for applications where constant power is required.

• Transmission Mounted PTOs

When think about a PTO, you likely picture a transmission-mounted PTO. Transmission-mounted PTOs are directly connected to the transmission. These are the most common type of PTOs because there is more space to mount a PTO on the transmission than on the engine.

If you chose a transmission mounted PTO you will need to identify where the PTO will be mounted on the transmission. The Endurant XD features an 8-bolt bottom and a high-capacity 4-bolt rear opening. Both power take-off openings operate independently of the transmission gear to power whatever you need. Power take-off engagement requests are controlled by the transmission to prevent system damage.  Mobile PTO allows the driver to maneuver a truck with a PTO engaged while moving.

• Split Shaft PTOs

Split Shaft PTOs (SSPTOs) are mounted between the transmission and the differential. They split the power between the drivetrain and the PTO. They allow simultaneous operation of the vehicle and PTO-driven equipment. This type of PTO is ideal for high power stationary applications such as hydrovacs and concrete pumpers.

This type of PTO is ideal for applications where both driving and PTO functions are needed simultaneously. They are commonly used in municipal services and road maintenance.

• Mechanical Shift PTO

Mechanical shift PTOs, sometimes called standard PTOs are manually engaged or disengaged using a lever or knob. These PTOs are straightforward and reliable but are experiencing decreasing popularity as newer types of PTOs offer the convenience of automatic engagement and disengagement.

Task

Next, you need to determine the task of the system to be used. This is crucial when you spec the PTO because different series of PTOs are best for different jobs. When you are thinking about task, you need to determine:

• Application
• Torque and horsepower needed to operate the system correctly
• Output of PTO

We&#;ve created this handy worksheet to help you document all of this information.

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