In my opinion farm equipment is dangerous enough, particularly in the hands of newcomers to the activity, without shirking on basic safety features. Good to see you pointed that out.
Yes! Making the plastic shield stationary with the chains is only good if you grease the shields! Also if the shield spins it will probably stop if you hand or leg hits it. You shouldn't be back there with it spinning anyway. 😬 Great video Mike 👍
All the main attachments I have all have chains on them and I use them when hooking them up to my tractor and make sure they are working as required. I don't want anything moving when it isn't suppose to more like the shields and keep my operation as safe as possible.
PTO covers seem to be expensive for what they are and my POV is that holding it still while the shaft is running is likely to wear it out faster than letting it spin with the shaft. So, I choose to use it without the chains.
Alex, if you keep grease in the PTO shield, they’ll last as long as the implement. I have chains on the shaft shield of a 35 year old snow blower that’s had lots of use, and the shield is still in great visual and functional condition.
What a coincidence, I was going to ask you about this same thing. I noticed on other tractor channel(s) the pto cover spinning with the shaft and didn't understand the purpose of having the cover if it was just going to spin also. Thanks to Justin for asking the question and to you Mike for trying to answer it.
Most implement liability claims come from pto issues. With pto issues a spinning chain works like the string on a weedeater and will either cut or entangle anything in its path. So a chain improperly or not connected becomes an added danger. The company decides what to do on a worst case scenario basis. If or how a chain is connected is beyond their realm of control so not a risk they can manage. Therefore no chain is included.
My brush cutter does not have the chain. I sorta wondered about it too. But, I think whether the chain is there or not may not be that important because the cover should still slip if something or someone gets caught in it. Yes, I keep mine greased!
Implement safety always requires multiple layers of prevention. What I’d like to see is a spiral hi viz design on the cover so there is a visual cue that the shaft is rotating. Been working around equipment for a long time - and can tell ya that we humans need as many reminders as we can along life’s way, especially when it’s something we’ve done hundreds or thousands of times before. When all else goes wrong, it only takes one additional protection layer to prevent an injury. I was just involved in a life changing injury that was the definition of an accident - doing work under generally accepted practices, things can go sideways and quick! I’d love to see spiral markings to help us remember how dangerous PTO shafts are.
I agree. Great idea. Another reason for a "see through" design, though I can see my PTO shaft turning (if I twist and turn and contort backwards...) and, the bush hog (JD MX6) driveshaft turning with it, the black plastic shield does not allow me to know if the driveshaft is turning the gear box if my shear bolt breaks. While the tractor is in motion bumping up and down along with the bush hog going across my pastures (I know I have no boulders but, the ground has ruts and gouges and often is not level in places)and I'm working, nothing bothers me more than when I have gone a couple hundred feet, turn around, and see I have cut nothing because the shear bolt broke.
I bought a Woods rotary cutter a couple of years ago. Same thing- no chains but a place where they were made to go. So, I called Woods and asked if they’d gotten left off or gone missing. They told me they consider it up to the consumer to install these “optional” safety items. Said they quit putting them on because farmers never grease the shafts. Furthermore, the Woods employee I spoke to said it’s safe to REACH DOWN AND GRAB THE PLASTIC PTO SHAFT COVER WHILE IT IS SPINNING to test that it works correctly. I responded that I was not going to try that. Woods makes a great cutter, but I was disappointed that they were so nonchalant about user safety. That said, use your common sense!!
Purchased a landpride RCR2660 with no chains. Dealer gave me some when I asked but never hooked them up. I’m a maintenance freak so keeping everything greased up is no issue. Honestly don’t see the need for chains if you property maintain your equipment. If you’re afraid the shield will become one with the shaft, simply rotate the shield by hand with tractor/PTO off to be certain it spins freely. If not, grease it up. Owners manual that came with landpride cutter says to lube shield bearings every 8 hours, driveline inner tube every 20 hours.
I had never really thought about it all that much, but the couple of PTO implements that I have do have the chain(s) at both ends. The "problem" that I had with one cutter that I use with one of my particular tractors (1979 Ford 3600) is that there is no shield around the PTO like on modern tractors. I had to "find" a place to attach the front chain for the very reason that you describe. Should the chain on the rear attached to the cutter fail the chain up front near the PTO would spin just like you described.
I bought a PTO driven wood chipper 3 years ago, found out the ones sent to Europe had to have a chain , the chippers they sold in USA did not. Sounds like manufacturers got the requirement dropped in USA.
I was always taught to never go near the rear of the tractor or the implement when the engine is running and you have a pto attachment attached or are attaching a pto attachment. I was also taught to never have the pto engaged unless you're in the seat, except for when running something like a sprayer that doesn't have a shaft. Follow those two things and you should never be hurt by the pto shaft.
Its will depend if you change your implement often or not. If you keep it in place for long time (like a snowblower for the winter time) it may worth it to put a chain on. If you change it regulary you are more subject to forget about it and have the flying chain problem !
Woods makes no bones about it. The chain becomes a hazard as folks don’t keep the shields lubricated and it locks up against the PTO shaft. So the only fix was to stop sending chains and also they put out a bulletin to remove chains from already stocked units.
If they worry that it doesn't get attached and spins freely maybe it's time to move the "fixed" side of the chain to be on the tractor and that you hook it up at the shield side? I like to have my shield stationary, when it rips out the plastic attachment point and starts to spin then you know it is malfunctioning and needs servicing / replacement.
Interesting, I bought a rotary cutter and chipper this year and both came with chains attached, as well as top link pins. The cutter is a Woods and the chipper is from Titan...
It seems that even without the chain, the shield would stop of you rubbed up against it? However all my implements came with chains. I must have bought the good stuff 😄
A new and unused one - yes. But down the line when it has been used a lot and maybe not gotten the proper maintenance and a lot of things getting stuck in it - then you wouldn't be so sure on it not being able to at least pull a bit in you if a thread comes loose and get caught.
Mike, my experience is somewhat different - I have recently had PTO shield chains shipped WITH low cost import product (wood chipper) but I did not get chants with my Land Pride 5’ Rotary Cutter that I bought last summer. I am a huge believer in using those chains and keeping the shield well greased. My greatest fear for those who don’t chain them is that the also won’t occasionally grease or clean them, and if someone gets hair or clothing caught in that spinning PTO with a shield that is siezed to the shaft because the grease is hard or full of grit and grass, they’re going to have a very VERY bad day. Folks... if your PTO shaft doesn’t come with chains, go to the hardware store and buy the light chain and clips to make your own. Heck, you can even use a piece of light rope or baler twine in a pinch. Whatever you use, hook it up every time and grease the shaft shield every time you grease the PTO universal joint. If you do this, no one will ever get hurt in that shaft.
Interesting. I've always just taken the chains off. I suppose there is the possibility that the rotating sleeve will pick up something, rope, whatever and make a mess, but I don't see the lack of a chain as an actual safety issue. As Mike said, probably the opposite because people don't hook them up. I'm reminded of that absurd lawsuit years ago where some idiot backed his mower up over his kid. Tragic, but JD put a stupid backup-preventer-unless-you waste-a-lot-of-time 'safety' switch on their riding mowers. Which of course anyone that actually has to mow bypassed. Just one reason I've gone orange after many years of green.
Another great video, Mike! Thanks! My PTO shaft came with chains but I've replaced the cheap clips after one came loose twice. Imagining what would happen if both chains came loose, would you think a strong piece of nylon cord might worn ok and be safer?
Fair enough, Mike! I would not intentionally put you on the spot. Thanks for all the great videos! I’ve learned a lot from you and hopefully I’m a safer operator because of it.
You have equipment that has shields?! Personally I don't see the point of the shields. All my stuff predates them, but doesn't concern me at all. I never go near it while the tractor is running, and if the PTO is engaged I have a seat belt on (not needed in a cab). I also think they probably found the chain is not required. You are trying to prevent getting wrapped up in the shaft. You are the chain in that case. Your mass will cause it to slip if you were to get a shirt caught in it. Granted not spinning at all the shirt doesn't get caught, but they probably found that it was just as dangerous to have the chain as not. One worry I would have without the chain though is that the casing actually spins freely. You would want to test that each time it is used, and lubricate like mentioned here. Otherwise you just get wrapped in the guard instead.
Just imagine a loose shirt, vest, or long hair getting caught up in one while inspecting or checking something out. Bad news. I know a thing or two cause ive seen a thing or two 😉
Making such a fuss about how deadly dangerously fast the pto shaft is... What a full 540 rpm or less? Please, my subcompact runs at 2,200+rpm that sends shit flying!
I have an idea that might fix the "too dumb to connect the chain to the tractor" issue.. Simple, and cheap. I'll check if it works and if it does, I'll let you know about it.
Lift you a other post a message from me, need to know how to find out what my ol ford tractor, 2 8 9 , wide lug pattern, running boards pot 3 point front end loader, I for got to put some of that info in my other blog post, the one with that vary nice 8 n you talked about, where the vin’s / numbers on my tractor, thanks BigAl California.
I always thought the “zerk” on the pto shield was there to remind you to grease the actual U joints on the pto shaft. Learned something new today......go figure.
Have you seen the video from "DYI My Way" on PTO chains? th-cam.com/video/vk5SKDc8rmE/w-d-xo.html He really explains and shows the pros and cons of the PTO chains. He even demonstrates touching the spinning PTO cover.
He has good points. Truth be known, it's probably safer without the chains. I always worry about liability if I'm doing something against an owner's manual. In this case, common sense would tell you the spinning chain is a greater danger than anything else. I won't say what I do when not shooting a video :). No one should ever be around a spinning PTO shaft anyway.
In my opinion farm equipment is dangerous enough, particularly in the hands of newcomers to the activity, without shirking on basic safety features. Good to see you pointed that out.
Yes! Making the plastic shield stationary with the chains is only good if you grease the shields! Also if the shield spins it will probably stop if you hand or leg hits it. You shouldn't be back there with it spinning anyway. 😬 Great video Mike 👍
All the main attachments I have all have chains on them and I use them when hooking them up to my tractor and make sure they are working as required. I don't want anything moving when it isn't suppose to more like the shields and keep my operation as safe as possible.
Like some others on here, I also had no idea I was supposed to grease the PTO shaft shield. Great info as always, Mike -- thanks!
Thanks! Good to know. If it has a chain, I hook it up. And if it doesn't, I don't usually think about it.
Perfect timing Mike. Just attached the rotary cutter yesterday and couldn’t find the “little” chain.
Thank you Mike! My RC & tiller did not come with chains, didn't make a difference to me, now I know why. Great info as always.
Thank you!
PTO covers seem to be expensive for what they are and my POV is that holding it still while the shaft is running is likely to wear it out faster than letting it spin with the shaft. So, I choose to use it without the chains.
Alex, if you keep grease in the PTO shield, they’ll last as long as the implement. I have chains on the shaft shield of a 35 year old snow blower that’s had lots of use, and the shield is still in great visual and functional condition.
There is a grease entry point for the white nylon bearing against the black plastic
Same here friend. My though is you really have no business being back there anyway
Never knew what that little thing that kind of looked like a plastic grease zerk was! Thanks Mike!
Good video. My mower is ten years old but didn’t come with chains. But it was a economy mower. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Mike.
What a coincidence, I was going to ask you about this same thing. I noticed on other tractor channel(s) the pto cover spinning with the shaft and didn't understand the purpose of having the cover if it was just going to spin also. Thanks to Justin for asking the question and to you Mike for trying to answer it.
Thank you for watching!
Remember, at 540 rpm, the shaft is turning 9 times a second. Stay away!
Most implement liability claims come from pto issues. With pto issues a spinning chain works like the string on a weedeater and will either cut or entangle anything in its path. So a chain improperly or not connected becomes an added danger. The company decides what to do on a worst case scenario basis. If or how a chain is connected is beyond their realm of control so not a risk they can manage. Therefore no chain is included.
My brush cutter does not have the chain. I sorta wondered about it too. But, I think whether the chain is there or not may not be that important because the cover should still slip if something or someone gets caught in it. Yes, I keep mine greased!
I have a woods brush cutter, Ive wondered about the chain but never thought much of it. Nice to know.
Stubbs Homestead I just purchased a Woods BB cutter and it has chains.
Good one Mike.
My LS XR3135 came with a Tebben RC with chains attached. And I use em.
Implement safety always requires multiple layers of prevention. What I’d like to see is a spiral hi viz design on the cover so there is a visual cue that the shaft is rotating. Been working around equipment for a long time - and can tell ya that we humans need as many reminders as we can along life’s way, especially when it’s something we’ve done hundreds or thousands of times before. When all else goes wrong, it only takes one additional protection layer to prevent an injury. I was just involved in a life changing injury that was the definition of an accident - doing work under generally accepted practices, things can go sideways and quick! I’d love to see spiral markings to help us remember how dangerous PTO shafts are.
I agree. Great idea. Another reason for a "see through" design, though I can see my PTO shaft turning (if I twist and turn and contort backwards...) and, the bush hog (JD MX6) driveshaft turning with it, the black plastic shield does not allow me to know if the driveshaft is turning the gear box if my shear bolt breaks. While the tractor is in motion bumping up and down along with the bush hog going across my pastures (I know I have no boulders but, the ground has ruts and gouges and often is not level in places)and I'm working, nothing bothers me more than when I have gone a couple hundred feet, turn around, and see I have cut nothing because the shear bolt broke.
It would be easy to put a few markings, with white paint, so you could easily see if the shaft or cover is turning.
I bought a Woods rotary cutter a couple of years ago. Same thing- no chains but a place where they were made to go. So, I called Woods and asked if they’d gotten left off or gone missing. They told me they consider it up to the consumer to install these “optional” safety items. Said they quit putting them on because farmers never grease the shafts. Furthermore, the Woods employee I spoke to said it’s safe to REACH DOWN AND GRAB THE PLASTIC PTO SHAFT COVER WHILE IT IS SPINNING to test that it works correctly. I responded that I was not going to try that. Woods makes a great cutter, but I was disappointed that they were so nonchalant about user safety. That said, use your common sense!!
Purchased a landpride RCR2660 with no chains. Dealer gave me some when I asked but never hooked them up. I’m a maintenance freak so keeping everything greased up is no issue. Honestly don’t see the need for chains if you property maintain your equipment. If you’re afraid the shield will become one with the shaft, simply rotate the shield by hand with tractor/PTO off to be certain it spins freely. If not, grease it up. Owners manual that came with landpride cutter says to lube shield bearings every 8 hours, driveline inner tube every 20 hours.
I had never really thought about it all that much, but the couple of PTO implements that I have do have the chain(s) at both ends. The "problem" that I had with one cutter that I use with one of my particular tractors (1979 Ford 3600) is that there is no shield around the PTO like on modern tractors. I had to "find" a place to attach the front chain for the very reason that you describe. Should the chain on the rear attached to the cutter fail the chain up front near the PTO would spin just like you described.
I bought a PTO driven wood chipper 3 years ago, found out the ones sent to Europe had to have a chain , the chippers they sold in USA did not. Sounds like manufacturers got the requirement dropped in USA.
I purchased a new rotary cutter just a week ago.
It has two chains to stop the rotation of the PTO cover
Good video Mike
I was always taught to never go near the rear of the tractor or the implement when the engine is running and you have a pto attachment attached or are attaching a pto attachment. I was also taught to never have the pto engaged unless you're in the seat, except for when running something like a sprayer that doesn't have a shaft. Follow those two things and you should never be hurt by the pto shaft.
Its will depend if you change your implement often or not. If you keep it in place for long time (like a snowblower for the winter time) it may worth it to put a chain on. If you change it regulary you are more subject to forget about it and have the flying chain problem !
Nice short video..my tiller did not come with a chain..dont really need it as nothing goes near the pto anyway.
Woods makes no bones about it. The chain becomes a hazard as folks don’t keep the shields lubricated and it locks up against the PTO shaft. So the only fix was to stop sending chains and also they put out a bulletin to remove chains from already stocked units.
I did not know I needed to grease my pto shaft shield. Thanks Mike!
Glad to help!
If they worry that it doesn't get attached and spins freely maybe it's time to move the "fixed" side of the chain to be on the tractor and that you hook it up at the shield side? I like to have my shield stationary, when it rips out the plastic attachment point and starts to spin then you know it is malfunctioning and needs servicing / replacement.
Good idea
Interesting, I bought a rotary cutter and chipper this year and both came with chains attached, as well as top link pins. The cutter is a Woods and the chipper is from Titan...
How do you like that titan chipper so far? I’m the marker for one.
Thanks. Learned something.
Glad to help!
Mine has chains but the owners manual doesn’t say what they are for or what to do with them. Thanks.
It seems that even without the chain, the shield would stop of you rubbed up against it? However all my implements came with chains. I must have bought the good stuff 😄
It really makes more sense to me. I had never thought about it.
A new and unused one - yes. But down the line when it has been used a lot and maybe not gotten the proper maintenance and a lot of things getting stuck in it - then you wouldn't be so sure on it not being able to at least pull a bit in you if a thread comes loose and get caught.
Makes you wonder how our Grandparents ever made it to old age.
Common sense. That’s how.
No they just had common sense a lost knowledge to most
Common sense was actually common once.
Survivorship bias (a whole lotta luck)
good stuff !
Thank you!
Bought a Kubota Grand L series and a Landpride 6ft finish mower and it came WITHOUT the PTO chain.
Mike, my experience is somewhat different - I have recently had PTO shield chains shipped WITH low cost import product (wood chipper) but I did not get chants with my Land Pride 5’ Rotary Cutter that I bought last summer. I am a huge believer in using those chains and keeping the shield well greased. My greatest fear for those who don’t chain them is that the also won’t occasionally grease or clean them, and if someone gets hair or clothing caught in that spinning PTO with a shield that is siezed to the shaft because the grease is hard or full of grit and grass, they’re going to have a very VERY bad day.
Folks... if your PTO shaft doesn’t come with chains, go to the hardware store and buy the light chain and clips to make your own. Heck, you can even use a piece of light rope or baler twine in a pinch. Whatever you use, hook it up every time and grease the shaft shield every time you grease the PTO universal joint. If you do this, no one will ever get hurt in that shaft.
My flail mower came with 2 chains. I now have one. No idea where the other one is in the field nor how the chain let loose.
👍👍
Interesting. I've always just taken the chains off. I suppose there is the possibility that the rotating sleeve will pick up something, rope, whatever and make a mess, but I don't see the lack of a chain as an actual safety issue. As Mike said, probably the opposite because people don't hook them up. I'm reminded of that absurd lawsuit years ago where some idiot backed his mower up over his kid. Tragic, but JD put a stupid backup-preventer-unless-you waste-a-lot-of-time 'safety' switch on their riding mowers. Which of course anyone that actually has to mow bypassed. Just one reason I've gone orange after many years of green.
I'm surprised our Agri-x came with them then!
Another great video, Mike! Thanks! My PTO shaft came with chains but I've replaced the cheap clips after one came loose twice. Imagining what would happen if both chains came loose, would you think a strong piece of nylon cord might worn ok and be safer?
I am scared to death of liability to give a answer on that one... I will just say I don't know why a nylon cord wouldn't work.
Fair enough, Mike! I would not intentionally put you on the spot. Thanks for all the great videos! I’ve learned a lot from you and hopefully I’m a safer operator because of it.
This brings new meaning to the phrase, "pulling someone's chain". "We pulled your chains due to liability issues."
=O)
Bought a 7 foot Bush hog brand about two years ago and it did not have a chain.
I have an old one that never had a chain.
You have equipment that has shields?!
Personally I don't see the point of the shields. All my stuff predates them, but doesn't concern me at all. I never go near it while the tractor is running, and if the PTO is engaged I have a seat belt on (not needed in a cab).
I also think they probably found the chain is not required. You are trying to prevent getting wrapped up in the shaft. You are the chain in that case. Your mass will cause it to slip if you were to get a shirt caught in it. Granted not spinning at all the shirt doesn't get caught, but they probably found that it was just as dangerous to have the chain as not. One worry I would have without the chain though is that the casing actually spins freely. You would want to test that each time it is used, and lubricate like mentioned here. Otherwise you just get wrapped in the guard instead.
Just imagine a loose shirt, vest, or long hair getting caught up in one while inspecting or checking something out. Bad news. I know a thing or two cause ive seen a thing or two 😉
Making such a fuss about how deadly dangerously fast the pto shaft is... What a full 540 rpm or less? Please, my subcompact runs at 2,200+rpm that sends shit flying!
Same, 4 speed pto. I can wind up the bushhog like a plane😂
I have an idea that might fix the "too dumb to connect the chain to the tractor" issue..
Simple, and cheap.
I'll check if it works and if it does, I'll let you know about it.
Lift you a other post a message from me, need to know how to find out what my ol ford tractor, 2 8 9 , wide lug pattern, running boards pot 3 point front end loader, I for got to put some of that info in my other blog post, the one with that vary nice 8 n you talked about, where the vin’s / numbers on my tractor, thanks BigAl California.
I always thought the “zerk” on the pto shield was there to remind you to grease the actual U joints on the pto shaft. Learned something new today......go figure.
Have you seen the video from "DYI My Way" on PTO chains? th-cam.com/video/vk5SKDc8rmE/w-d-xo.html
He really explains and shows the pros and cons of the PTO chains. He even demonstrates touching the spinning PTO cover.
He has good points. Truth be known, it's probably safer without the chains. I always worry about liability if I'm doing something against an owner's manual. In this case, common sense would tell you the spinning chain is a greater danger than anything else. I won't say what I do when not shooting a video :). No one should ever be around a spinning PTO shaft anyway.
First
Wow. Four minutes of answering the question and did not answer the question. LOL
I’d be too nervous to run equipment without one.
Come on guy stop with the politics, name the brands.
John, it's exactly the opposite; he's AVOIDING being political. I like Mike!