BX2200 Tillerm, how to cut the pto shaft

[upgw]

Trying to order a tiller for BX2200... how do I measure to tell them how long to cut the PTO shaft? Is this something I can do myself? (that is, how hard is it to do)?

Thanks,
Patrick W.

 

[Charliebrn]

You can do it yourself, it's a fairly easy thing to do with a hacksaw. I imagine the length will be a little different depending on the brand/model of tiller you purchase....

 

[smthng2do]

You measure from a straight line from the inside of the PTO's on both implements once the implenet is mounted. If your measurement is 28 inches, and your PTO closed length measured 36 inches from the ends of the shats, you should take off at least 9 or 10 inches. That leaves you enough room for the PTO to extend without falling apart, and enough so it won't bottom out when in the lowered position. If you take the ten inches, you need to remove the shields, and take 10 from "each" side. Then cut your shields at about 11 inches. That way when the shield is reinstalled, you will be able to see the overlap and install the two tubes back together again. It isn't bad, but make sure you have some good blades, and preferably a bench vise to hold it for you. Oh yeah, don't forget to eat your Wheaties!!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

If you do a search for "Cutting PTO Shaft" and use the AND feature for the search, you will find a great discussion on this topic. I was a little leery about cutting the shaft, but after reading and talking to the dealer I got my tiller from, it was easy. I ended up cutting it 3 times, each time taking a little bit more off. In the end I cut about 4 inches of the shaft. I got a First Choice 48 inch tiller from www.Sweettractor.com for $1079.00 delivered to NJ. Ken was easy to deal with and the tiller came in great condition. It works great too. I bought a saws all from Home Depot for $60 to cut the shaft, now I have a another tool to use.
Good luck

Tom

 

[kyoders]

I don't see how you could measure it properly without already having the tiller mounted on the tractor. When I did mine for a Caroni 48", it was very difficult to get "measured" correctly. The gear box on it is offset from the tractor drive shaft, so it wasn't just a matter of measuring from the tractor shaft to the tiller shaft. I ended up pulling the PTO shaft apart, installing both ends, then trying to lay them next to each other and marking it that way. It came out well enough, I think (hope. Once it is marked, cutting it isn't that big of a deal. I rigged up some clamps to hold it on my bench/miter box, then went to town with a hacksaw and bi-metal blade. My arms were a bit tired when done, but after cleaning up the burrs with a file/wet-dry sand paper, it looked pretty good to me. I cut the same amount from the plastic shield as the metal shaft, on both sides.

Kevin

 

[smthng2do]

Yeah, ya definately have to mount the implement, whatever it may be, even if offset though, you should be able to take a tape and make a rough measurement from the tractor PTO to the implement PTO. Even if your offa little, it isn't that big of a deal. 28 inches or 30 inches roughly, your gonna be able to determine about how much your going to hae to take off of it.

 

[upgw]

Tom, That's the exact tiller I'm looking at, same place too... (a little more money now though)

Do you have yours on a BX2200? If so, seems like I could get the proper length from you?????

Like you, I'm a little leery about cutting the shaft... that's the only reason I have no ordered yet.

Thanks to everyone for the info.

- Patrick W.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Pat,

YES !,it is on a BX 2200. I will measure the PTO shaft and send you an e mail Saturday. If you order it from Ken do not forget to ask him for a truck with a lift gate. Made the entire process of getting it off the 18 wheeler real easy. Ken will prep the tiller, all you have to do it cut the PTO shaft and you are ready to go. Did you get a slip clutch with it? If so, make sure you loosen all the bolts on the clutch , to insure the clutch is free turning, and then tighten the bolts about ½-3/4 turn each. This is a much easier process if you do it before you mount the PTO on the tiller. The slip clutch mounts on the tiller end, not the tractor side. Also make sure when you put the clutch on the tiller, insert the bolt that holds the clutch on the shaft and then take your measurement. You will know the PTO length is correct when you can lift the tiller to the top and still turn the blades with your foot with the tractor engine off. If it binds, then the PTO shaft is too long. Worse thing you can do is have the PTO shaft end dig into the tiller or tractor end, good way to tear up a seal.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[upgw]

Tom, thanks, Ken said they would cut the shaft to my specs, but didn't give me a lot of details on how to measure. I think he meant that I should put the hitch all the way up, wit the links 28 inches apart, then measure from the center-line of the lift to the tip of the pto shaft, then they woudl cut using that. I'd like to get the numbers from you, I could just give them to Ken, my measuring is usually faulty!

The BX has enough power to run the tiller no problems? Does it chatter when raised all the way with the pto on?

Thanks, looking forward to your numbers.

- Patrick W.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Pat,

The number is 7 1/2", this is measured from the end of the shaft from either the slip clutch or tractor side, to the flange for the plastic PTO shield. Hope this helps. If not, let me know and I will call Ken for you next week. I think if I were you, I would cut the PTO shaft just in case my shaft is different or the numbers get mixed up some how. I would hate for you to get the tiller, set it up on the tractor and the shaft not fit.

The tiller works great, leaves you with a nice tilled ground. It does not chatter when you raise the tiller up.
Make a dolly for it, it makes it easy to move around and set up the pins on the 3 pt.

S__________I P

The S is the end of the shaft and the P is the beginning of the plastic cover where it makes a 90 degree turn. The distance from S to P is 7 ½".

Hope this helps

Tom