3-Point Hitch Oooops!

[mpham]

After using a rake and weight box all week I finally needed a powered unit on the 3 pt. When I finished I pulled the pins and forgot the shaft...This is what happened when I backed up to the rake to hook up.:The gaurd was removed to see the damage. Already booted myself in the butt and bought a new shaft at Tractor Supply for 200 and tax.Lucky I didn't break my pto unit off the back of the tractor.

 

[Roger2561]

You should be able to take sharper bends with it now.

 

[6011Artist]

experience comes from making mistakes.

 

[kebo]

You should be able to take sharper bends with it now.

LOL. It's only a flesh wound, cut out the bend, and weld the two ends together with a smaller tube inside for strength.

 

[DT86]

Can't say that I've ever done that. But it's just dumb luck!

 

[sixdogs]

Lots of us have done that. Welcome to the club.
Now you can go around corners better.

 

[6011Artist]

kebo, I thought about that too but would it still be balanced? Might cost ya a pto shaft seal. I'd do it but what chances would I be taking?

 

[Soundguy]

i bent a lift link arm on a tractor the first day I got it one time.

'stuff' happens.

glad no one got hurt.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Welding a new shaft to the U joint is SOP where I come from. Never had it cause a problem.

 

[sixdogs]

But if you can't weld it is morally acceptable to just go and buy a new one.
We have all done this kind of thing and it's actually not really dumb, it just an oops as you mention. And oops happen.