Tiller PTO Shaft Cutting

[NoCowboyhat]

After a lot of searching for a used tiller, I ended up buying a new County Line 4ft tiller. I've watched many videos on setting it up and cutting the PTO shaft. My question is on the measurement. I have a BX2680. When I hooked the tiller up to it (what a pain in the rump that was) and raised it, the distance between the two notches is 21 3/4". I've attached the tiller, raised it and measured on multiple days to be sure and I get the same measurement each time. It's about 23 inches when it's on the ground and 21 3/4 raised. The PTO shaft is 28 3/4 from bolt to bolt. Most of the videos I've watched show cutting 3-4 inches off the shaft. Has anyone heard of a 7 inch cut (hey now, this is a G rated question!)? I haven't seen anyone in the videos trimming 7. My measurements follow the process in several different videos.

After severely straining my real delt picking up half the tiller during the attachment process, I'm excited to get this thing running. I just don't want another setback caused by cutting too much from the shaft.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm not following your measurements, but what matters is that the shaft is not fully collapsed in the raised position, AND that there is 6" of overlap of the shaft when lowered.

 

[dougtrr2]

For those of us who don't trim PTO shafts very often it can get confusing. You could take it in steps to build confidence. Make a measurement on the collapsed length. Cut off 4", measure the collapsed length. Install the shaft. Slowly raise, stop, make a measurement, raise, stop, make a measurement and stop when your measurement is getting close the the previously noted collapsed length. If you haven't reached full height, cut a little more off. Better to be safe than sorry.

The biggest thing to avoid at all costs is fully raising it if it is too long. The force of the three point can cause major damage to the PTO parts of the tractor.

Doug in SW IA

 

[NoCowboyhat]

I'm not following your measurements, but what matters is that the shaft is not fully collapsed in the raised position, AND that there is 6" of overlap of the shaft when lowered.

On both PTOs for the tractor and tiller, there is a notch in it where the locking pin connects. All the videos on connecting a tiller and cutting the shaft show to measure from one notch to the other when the tiller is raised. When I raise the tiller the measurement between the notches is 21 3/4. When it is lowered to the ground the distance increases to 23 inches. Measuring the shaft itself, from the locking pin on each end of the PTO shaft, I get 28 3/4 inches.

 

[RjCorazza]

On both PTOs for the tractor and tiller, there is a notch in it where the locking pin connects. All the videos on connecting a tiller and cutting the shaft show to measure from one notch to the other when the tiller is raised. When I raise the tiller the measurement between the notches is 21 3/4. When it is lowered to the ground the distance increases to 23 inches. Measuring the shaft itself, from the locking pin on each end of the PTO shaft, I get 28 3/4 inches.

Got it...
Some implements use very short shafts, such as tillers, spreaders, grinders. I wouldn't be concerned about cutting it, but I do get the nerve wracking part of cutting a shaft.
Do leave some space in the raised position that would ensure that the shaft doesn't bottom out.

The last shaft I cut I raised the implement to its highest position, and cut the shaft so that I could just swing the collapsed shaft over the implement spline, then slide it on.

 

[NoCowboyhat]

UPDATE:
After all those measurements, none making sense in terms of what I was reading (that 1 1/2 inch extra cut for "play" just didn't make sense, I finally called my local Kubota dealer and talked with their service tech. I talked to the guy who cuts the shafts for those who order through the dealer. He said 'cut 6 inches to attach to a BX, I do it all the time'. I cut 6 inches only, no extra.

So I finally got the tiller hooked up and tilled like a madman. The yard looks awesome. The tiller ate up my yard like a champ. Had some minor issues but nothing of real concern.

Thanks to everyone who responded.