Old Tractors and Heavy PTO Shafts

Bill VA · Jun 3, 2022

Moved around my JD 335 round baler with my Farmall 350 the other day and hooked up the PTO shaft. That PTO shaft has what I believe is a CV joint at the front of it and it is heavy!

Im thinking back in the day, there were no PTO shafts as heavy as this one? I am thinking, what am I going to damage on the tractor from the weight of the PTO shaft hanging off the PTO stub of the tractor?

Old tractors, heavy PTOs, any concerns?

Thanks!
Bill

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 3, 2022

The PTO shafts didn't get heavier. You got older.

Seriously though, nothing to be concerned with. Unless you want to needlessly work yourself up into a froth over nothing.

NY 986 · Jun 3, 2022

Sure there are concerns. Especially, if the tubes do not readily move over one another. When the 350 was made light duty shafts were prevalent as the 350 did jobs like sickle bar mowing, one row corn picker, and 100 bushel manure spreader.

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 3, 2022

I'll second that.

Tgrasher · Jun 3, 2022

Not sure any harm to the shaft if the bearing is getting enough gear oil, but I do know it's a good practice to idle down the tractor and ease the implement into motion.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 3, 2022

I don't think he's trying to run the baler with the 350, just move it.

Bill VA · Jun 3, 2022

Actually - I do want to run this baler on the 350 for a few bales, maybe more - just for kicks. Certainly not
my go to baler tractor...

Bill

Kerwin · Jun 3, 2022

The weight is probably not as much strain on the PTO shaft as you would think...might be more strain on the bearings when taking a tight corner with PTO running?

ss55 · Jun 3, 2022

I would be more concerned if a Farmall 350 has the hydraulic pressure to operate a round baler and the weight to keep it under control once it is loaded. Maybe try operation all the baler functions with the baler empty before filling it with hay.

wore out · Jun 3, 2022

(quoted from post at 05:37:01 06/03/22) Moved around my JD 335 round baler with my Farmall 350 the other day and hooked up the PTO shaft. That PTO shaft has what I believe is a CV joint at the front of it and it is heavy!

Im thinking back in the day, there were no PTO shafts as heavy as this one? I am thinking, what am I going to damage on the tractor from the weight of the PTO shaft hanging off the PTO stub of the tractor?

Old tractors, heavy PTOs, any concerns?

Thanks!
Bill

I haven't (yet) seen a tractor PTO damaged by a heavy CV shaft driveline, but the HEAVY hydraulic pumps for "hydra-swing haybines are another matter,

showcrop · Jun 3, 2022

The one on the front of my discbine was very heavy, and in addition to holding it up you had to hold the flopping end in the correct direction.

used red MN · Jun 3, 2022

That same PTO assembly was used on the 660 which is an 80 plus PTO hp tractor, doubt that heavier shaft will hurt it.

Jim.ME · Jun 3, 2022

The CV driveline may be a bit heavier, but is easier on the tractor PTO shaft and bearings when turning corners.

This post was edited by Jim.ME on 06/03/2022 at 12:12 pm.

redforlife · Jun 3, 2022

My concern would be, not a big enough tractor for a big round hay baler.

I think you'd be semi OK with the PTO. Just not a big enough tractor with enough lead in its rear. If it's a tricycle, you not gonna like that part for baling hay either.

As already mentioned, fully activate the hydraulic functions to see if you got enough hydraulic fluid capacities to even make those work. I'd be surprised if it'll fully raise the rear let out gate, especially if that is dual cylindered. That would be an issue if it don't, and you found out after you got a big bale of hay in there.

showcrop · Jun 3, 2022

(quoted from post at 11:04:41 06/03/22) My concern would be, not a big enough tractor for a big round hay baler.

I think you'd be semi OK with the PTO. Just not a big enough tractor with enough lead in its rear. If it's a tricycle, you not gonna like that part for baling hay either.

As already mentioned, fully activate the hydraulic functions to see if you got enough hydraulic fluid capacities to even make those work. I'd be surprised if it'll fully raise the rear let out gate, especially if that is dual cylindered. That would be an issue if it don't, and you found out after you got a big bale of hay in there.

How about his MF 1105 which he uses on it except for just a quick move in the yard?

4xMF · Jun 3, 2022

Even though the PTO shaft is heavy it is a quite well balanced weight and the stub on the tractor has a bearing close to its end so I don't think it is a concern but I don't think you want to run the baler on that tractor. Not on any slope anyway. Even though it is a fairly small baler it will with a bale in it will probably weigh well over 2 tonnes and in stead of the tractor pulling the baler it could be the baler pulling the tractor.

Destroked 450 · Jun 3, 2022

I dont think youll have a problem pulling that baler and the heavy cv joint pto shaft shouldnt be a issue
The 325 has hydraulic tie plus the tail gate, does a Farmall 350 have 2 sets of double action remotes to operate the baler
I pulled a NH640 4x5 baler with my 69 Ford 4000 for several years and a Hesston 5545 before that, both of those baler weighed 1000 lbs more than a 335 Deere and a 4000 weighs 500 lbs less than a Farmall 350
A 4000 does have excellent wet disc brakes, not sure what a 250 has

Bill VA · Jun 4, 2022

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the replies.

Bill

Old Tractors and Heavy PTO Shafts

Bill VA

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BarnyardEngineering

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NY 986

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Tgrasher

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BarnyardEngineering

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Bill VA

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Kerwin

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ss55

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wore out

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showcrop

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used red MN

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Jim.ME

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redforlife

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showcrop

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4xMF

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Destroked 450

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Bill VA

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