tiller/PTO shaft chain

[tonyw]

I have a Muratori rototiller--which I've been quite pleased with so far. I do have one of those dumb questions I should've asked before I began using my new toy. There is are 2 small chains connecting the two ends of the plastic shield on my PTO shaft. Are these supposed to be connected to something besides each other? They were spinning around and flapping like crazy, so I though it was not only annoying but also dangerous seeing how easily something could get caught up in them. SO, I took them off!
What should I have done? Connect one chain end to the 3 pt of the tiller and the other to the tractor?
Thanks for any help!!!

Tony W

 

[pennwalk]

The chains hook around some stationary part of the tractor like the top link and keep the PTO shield from spinning. Old shields used to spin until you fell on them then they would stop and kind of keep you from being rolled up around the PTO shaft. Don't forget to grease the shields plastic grease fittings. The shield bearings are plastic and the grease helps keep them from being destroyed. The stories about PTO shaft accidents are frightening so I try to stay away from the spinning shaft even though it has a safty shield.

Chris

 

[tonyw]

Chris,

Thank you, thank you!! I thought I was close to figuring this one out, but I didn't want to make any dumb
mistakes. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif It certainly didn't make sense to have the chains hooked to each other; believe it or not, the owner's manual says nothing about the function of these chains.
thanks again!

Tony w