What is this

[Surken]

Can anybody tell me what this is. I found it in my old shed. It looks like some sort of a pto and plow hitch.

If you know what it is please send an email to
geotechnical@shaw.ca
I appreciate your answer and thanks
Surken.

 

[dillo99]

Definitely looks like a pto joint. Seems like a pretty dangerous thing to have spinning around on a pto shaft!

 

[Surken]

Thanks Mike. You might be right, but I still think it is some sort of a universal hitch for a plow. That can be reversed and used as a regular trailer hitch. Maybe somebody else knows more.
Surken

 

[tommu56]

it cant be a pto universal no bearings in joint

It might be a top of a side link and the knob was to spin it in and out of turn buckle the male theread would be slit in to fitting and pinnned.

tom

 

[RobS]

I don't think the attachment points are strong enough for a trailer hitch. I wonder if it's part of an adjustment linkage on an old implement and the ball is actually a handle to give more leverage for the adjustment?

 

[MikeD74T]

I don't think the attachment points are strong enough for a trailer hitch. I wonder if it's part of an adjustment linkage on an old implement and the ball is actually a handle to give more leverage for the adjustment?

I think the mass of the ball is to keep it from readjusting it's self from vibration, etc. MikeD74T

 

[ArTrvlr]

It would help if we knew what size it is. Approximate overall length, the size of the square hole that appears to be where a shaft goes, etc. Even another pic with a reference object (a quarter, pack of smokes, drink can, ink pen, etc.) laying next to it.
I agree, it is not for a PTO or any powered shaft, as was noted, no bearings and the joint pins are not in line with each other, so it appears it was intended to be turned by hand.
jp

 

[RobS]

I think the mass of the ball is to keep it from readjusting it's self from vibration, etc. MikeD74T

Good point Mike, you may be onto something there!

 

[irvingj]

Could it be some sort of an adjustment link, like a rack & pinion steering set up?

Wouldn't allow for a lot of movement, but if a connected square shaft were rotated, the "ball" part could fit into a socket and allow for 4-5 inches of lateral movement of some other part.

Very interesting part-- please let us know if you ever find out what it is!

 

[The Dougster]

One of my neighbors has a huge disk plow and has said I could have it... it was originally used as a "pull behind".... anyhow, to make the story shorter, the disk comes in two pieces and is connected by something similiar to what is shown in the picture.... The ball is affixed to the first section and the behind section is attached similiar to a bumper hitch... will have to inspect it closer next weekend...

 

[Surken]

One of my neighbors has a huge disk plow and has said I could have it... it was originally used as a "pull behind".... anyhow, to make the story shorter, the disk comes in two pieces and is connected by something similiar to what is shown in the picture.... The ball is affixed to the first section and the behind section is attached similiar to a bumper hitch... will have to inspect it closer next weekend...

Thank you all for the ideas. I will see if I can get some dimensions. Right now the part is at the farmers machinery museum, http://www.bcfma.com/ but I can go and take some other pictures. Maybe Dougster will have something next weekend.

Surken

 

[Surken]

I have some new info. The part is about 8 inches long and the square hole at the end is about three quarter of an inch. It has a serial number 404R1 and a part name Vapor. I hope someone might know what it is. There used to be a railway parts manufacturer by the name of Vapor. It might still exist in the east of Canada.
Good luck Surken.

 

[shinnlinger]

My guess is a ball for a sicklebar mower and it articulated a bit at the joint as it went around. I don't think that part connected directly to the PTO rather the other end of the pitman arm where it connected to the sickle.

 

[Surken]

Thank you Shinnlinger. I think you are on the right track, although someone told me it is a double female universal joint for a three quarter socket set. With other words we are still not sure what it is.
Surken