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LonM 07-25-2012 19:09:44 69.165.30.214 Report to Moderator	We have been pulling our 3960 chopper with a small 1000 RPM tractor; this year we are switching over to a 4640 with the big 1000. The tractor has an adaptor to run a 1-3/8" shaft, and we have been using the 10" hitch extension on the chopper (10" hitch is recommended for the small 1000 shaft). Now for the questions: 1) Has anyone run a small 1000 chopper with the PTO adaptor and had it work reliably (I'm concerned about the wobble between the tractor shaft and the adaptor at that kind of load)? 2) Even though a big 1000 chopper is normally run with a different (5-1/2") hitch extension, if I run the PTO adaptor will it work to still use the 10" hitch? (thinking that the extra 4-1/2" on the 10" hitch will compensate for the extra length of the PTO shaft made by using the 1-3/4 to 1-3/8 adaptor stub) I plan to hook this all up and do some careful measuring to ensure the hitch pin is centered between the u-joints, but I was just wondering what others have done with this type of situation. In order to set it up with the big 1000 front yoke and to have the 5-1/2" hitch, I'd have close to $900 stuck in it, which isn't the end of the world, but if I can get similar performance out of the existing setup I will. Thanks for any help, Lon M [Reply]   [No Email]
rrlund 07-26-2012 08:40:37 207.241.137.116 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-25-2012 19:09:44   My gosh,where are you buying parts? I bought a CaseIH chopper seven or eight years ago that had the big 1000 on it. I went to the Agco dealer and got a yoke for the small 1000 off the rack,put in a new cross and cups while I was at it. Couldn't tell you anymore what it cost me,but I'd bet the farm it was WAY under $100. [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 07-26-2012 22:02:43 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to rrlund, 07-26-2012 08:40:37   The price he was quoting is for the complete 1 3/4 1000 shaft. Both ends. [Reply]  [No Email]
LonM 07-26-2012 14:09:05 69.165.30.214 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to rrlund, 07-26-2012 08:40:37   I think through deere the yoke is around $175, the bearing cross is $120 and the shorter hitch is about $600. But I see your point- there has to be a cheaper way... Lon [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 07-26-2012 18:53:10 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-26-2012 14:09:05   Those yolks and crosses are expensive.... but that's about what I paid too. Can't you just haul the drawbar up shorter to bring the machine closer? I've done that in the past. Just make sure it doesn't bottom out in a full 90 degree turn with the tractor nose uphill. Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 07-25-2012 20:50:00 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-25-2012 19:09:44   If you're changing over permanently just get yourself a class 6 1-3/4" yolk for the chopper shaft. If you want to change back and forth between big and small 1000 get another bar/yolk assembly for the ball slip shaft and change that half of the shaft out as necessary. Just make sure you get the correct parts for the shaft you have as those darn things came with class 5 and class 6 shafts in small and big 1000.... so there's at least three variables. MEASURE THE CUPS to be sure. Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 07-25-2012 19:38:03 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-25-2012 19:09:44   I don't like running a high horse attachment with an adapter. If you have to do it then make sure it is the good adapter that has two bolts that clamp it to the tractor shaft not the cheap push button slip on ones. JD # AR89543 $185 is the better one. The distance to the center hole on 1 3/4 1000 is 20 inches. On 1 3/8 1000 it is 18 inches. Your JD 3960 operators book will show this. The reason the shorter hitch is used on the factory 1 3/4 1000 shaft it that most of the tractors that have the 1 3/4 1000 shaft have longer draw bars in them. So just measure from the end of the PTO shaft to the center hole. You did not say what transmission you have in your JD 4640. If it is a quad range you can change the complete PTO shaft to the 1 3/8 1000 one. I have done this for a customer that was pulling a JD 100 square baler. The PTO adapter made the baler shaft wobble and it knocked the drive line seals out all of the time. I don't remember where we got the shaft from. It was a JD shaft just out of a another tractor. Maybe a JD 4630. Like I said I don't remember right now. It has been 12-13 years ago. If your JD 3960 has the regular ujoint then I have also just bought an after market yoke that has the 1 3/4 1000 female hole in it. Then just change it at the cross. This would be the easiest if you are going to use it on this tractor all of the time. All you would need is the ujiont dimensions to get the right yoke. [Reply]  [No Email]
Roger in Iowa 07-26-2012 05:17:21 166.182.3.80 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to JDseller, 07-25-2012 19:38:03   1 3/8" 1000 rpm is 16" NOT 18". [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 07-26-2012 22:01:20 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to Roger in Iowa, 07-26-2012 05:17:21   In the JD 3960 forage harvester manual they want 18" not 16". I know the usual standard is 16" but the chopper manual states a different requirement. [Reply]  [No Email]
Roger in Iowa 07-27-2012 13:22:45 166.182.3.86 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to JDseller, 07-26-2012 22:01:20   I checked with the factory. The current OM for 3960 says 16". The one you have must have a mis-print. The ASAE standard for drawbars is 14", 16" and 20 " depending on what shaft you are using. [Reply]  [No Email]
Don-Wi 07-25-2012 19:29:56 66.87.2.14 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-25-2012 19:09:44   I wouldn't use the adapter. Thats how things get broken, including those adapters. they simply aren't made to transfer that kind of horse power. Better off doing it right and know you won't have those issues. Donovan from Wisconsin [Reply]  [No Email]
Roger in Iowa 07-25-2012 19:34:48 166.182.3.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to Don-Wi, 07-25-2012 19:29:56   Donovan has it right! Might end up breaking pto shaft coming out of tractor because of wobble or not being able to telescope properly. Also the smaller u-joints will not take the power! May have to change the u-joint back at the gearcase also! [Reply]  [No Email]
LonM 07-25-2012 19:45:23 69.165.30.214 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to Roger in Iowa, 07-25-2012 19:34:48   Thanks everyone for such quick responses! It looks like even though I have the clamp-on adaptor I will change out the yoke on the shaft so it matches the big 1000 on the tractor and do away with the adaptor. Maybe I could cheat and drill another hole in the drawbar to shorten it up so I can run the 10" hitch and won't have to buy the $600 5-1/2" hitch extension. Thanks for the tip on changing the shaft- didn't know that was possible (it is a quad). Won't be chopping for at least a month, so I'll get it set up right and not have to worry about those parts failing with a half-full silo. Again, Thanks for all the advice. Gotta love YT! Lon M [Reply]  [No Email]
Roger in Iowa 07-26-2012 06:09:44 166.182.3.185 Report to Moderator	Re: 3960 Deere chopper hookup in reply to LonM, 07-25-2012 19:45:23   I have a 5 1/2" extension that I would sell for considerably less than $600. e-mail is open. Roger [Reply]  [No Email]