PTO link system

[steve tym]

I have the pto link. It's ok, you still have to hook up the shaft. I've only used it a couple times, seems to get easier as I use it more.

 

[Sportsman762]

I am not sure that the PTO Link is worth the money. The main problems with hooking up a PTO is
* alignment of the pto splines
* weight of the PTO driveline
* Difficulty in holding latch back on PTO lock

PTO Link
* Has 4 holes making rotation 45 degrees max vs 30 degrees for a 6 spline
* adds additional weight to PTO driveline
* has an easier locking mechanism.

PTO link extends the PTO on the tractor beyond the guarding creating a hazard. It also requires up to 15 degrees more rotation of driveline to hook up. This makes hooking up implements more challenging.

I hate the collar lock type of coupler the squeezing action of pulling the collar back while trying to push the pto driveline on is terrible. Pin style couplers are my preferred method. There are some styles of collar lock that will lock back when pulled free of implement and slide forward when the shaft is inserted into the driveline. Weasler calls theirs Auto Lok. They are great when they work but if they get gummed up its a $%^& to hook them up.

Below is pin style (photos borrowed from Weasler)

Below is collar lock style

To hook up I will slide the driveline onto the tractor PTO then depress lock and slide the rest of the way on.

PTSG has great thoughts on the Bungee

A simple "trick" that works very well to get the PTO shafts on the shaft of the tractor is to align the splines and just slide the PTO shaft like 1/2" to 5/8" over the shaft on the tractor side.

Once the shaft is already started on the tractor side, you're not holding the weight of the PTO shaft anymore. So you can now worry about pressing the pin or pulling the collar and slide the shaft all the way in.

I have hooked up drivelines on a variety of equipment, from small category 1 spreaders to large CV's on square balers. In my opinion the PTO link introduces more problems than it solves. It appears to be a well built durable unit.