My PHD manual says to engage the PTO with the auger touching the ground and disengage before removing from the hole. There should be no reason for the PTO to be engaged at that height of the 3 point. Great video. We all need reminders of how simple slips of the mind or lapses in judgment can be costly! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mike. I am the second owner of a nice 2004 TC29DA New Holland since 2007. So I've had my tractor for many years. It's amazing the things I still learn while watching these types of videos. Just bought a similar 3 point hitch mounted auger and wouldn't have known about the PTO shaft problem you talked about. Thanks for the info. Hope to get some fence posts 'safely' in the ground in the spring.
Nice tip! I found that getting to know a local tractor/equipment tire dealer is very helpful too. I ran over a pry bar with one of the rear tires of my tractor during the course of building my pole barn. The pry bar put a nasty gash in the tire and the air was completely out in less than two minutes. A trip to the local equipment tire dealer and he had it patched from the inside....saving me hundreds of dollars.
Very, very good instructions and caution! Particularly since I plan to purchase a post hole digger very soon. And, since I have never used one before. That "position control" can be your new, best friend!
Mike- Thx helpful video. Would like for you to discuss auger extensions. Example- sometimes you need to dig deeper holes for fence brace posts. Have a friend that made his own extension from 2 7/8” pipe.
You might have saved me a bunch of money and time. I'm about to use an auger on my tractor for the first time and hadn't thought of this. Thanks Mike! :-)
Great video Mike. The seemingly most insignificant things can end up costing a lot of $$ to fix. I've learned a few of these the hard way. I'm always on the lookout for new vids from you. They're really helpful.
I plan on a 3pt post hole digger, but haven't bought it yet. Thanks for the heads up! I will definitely read the manual, & set the stop on the pto lift accordingly! Great Information! Thanks!
Good video. I got fed up with this problem of drive shafts getting bent and u joints screwing up etc . Made a adapter bracket for gear box and put hydraulic motor on with power coupling . The cost and availability has come down now on hydraulic stuff .no more problems . Nice too have reverse on auger also . No more broken bolts etc . If you have the talent or somebody that can do this for you . I recommend it . I like that tray on tractor roll bar . That’s cool . Was just thinking of making something like that . 👍
You may have saved me a bunch. I just purchased a new post hole digger from Agri Supply and did not know about the problem of lifting too high with the PTO engaged. Thanks, Mike!
That is good information about the drive shaft, and that is one thing I hope not to damage on my tractor. I am so glad that you showed us this problem, and how to prevent it, and even get it fixed.
Great video and advise. One other thing you might mention is calling for underground locates before putting any implements in the ground. I work for a utility company and post hole diggers hitting buried cable have cost people a lot more money than what they paid for that new PTO shaft. Locates are free. Even if you've been in house for years and are sure there's nothing down there call anyway. A lot of underground utilities are bored in from a distance now days and there's no visual clues like the cable plows used to leave.
Walker Outdoors I advise that you disengage the PTO anytime you lift the tiller off the ground. Sure it will be and adjustment, but it's well worth it IMO.
So I learned: If a non proven implement/tractor combo is being set up , all the basic setup principals must be checked or adjusted. Check the pro shaft full up full down with the pto not engaged (watch out because just because it is not spinning doesn't me I can't bend it some how :). Also watch out for hitting the limits of the Ujoints ,, not just striking the pto shaft. Love the Safety vids Mike (and friends).
What is the box up high bolted to your ROPS? Good advice. I always raise and lower anything to max positions before spinning. My cutter will bend the PTO shaft if raised too high and I only have a bottom stop. Thankfully everyone is safe. I once had the bolt on my slip clutch break off at the side of the cutter. Luckily the a frame on the cutter kept it contained but not before it ripped the plastic safety guards off. Amazing how expensive those guards are which makes sense why no one replaces them.
Thanks, I probably overdo scaring people but it's important to have a healthy respect for what you're dealing with. There is SO much to learn if you've never operated equipment.
Tractor Mike I think the only PTO operates implement I’ve used was a blower at work for blowing leaves. Never had a problem. But I’m more than comfortable using a front loader and box scraper. Got a lot to learn about using the pallet forks. But I’m good with a bucket.
I've seen it both ways where thr shaft was too long and jamed the PTO shaft back into the diff. housing causing premature failure of the diff. gears. It was the dealer that set the shaft up wrong and it was covered under warranty. Luckily!
I have seen this also. Too long of a PTO shaft will not telescope closed far enough and will crush the tractor PTO bearing and the implement input shaft bearing. With a new PTO shaft, make sure you cut the excess off both PTO shafts to ensure it will not bottom out at minimum length dimension.
Hi Mike et al, There's another consideration to using the shaft at the extreme end of 3-point lift: I think it's called 'Hooke's Joint Effect', but basically, the output rotation isn't constant speed, if the end joints are the normal 'Universal Joint' types. The result can be uneven loading on the transmission, with the output constantly accelerating and decelerating. A design around this is to use Constant Velocity (CV) joints, but I've never seen them used in this type of application. I think the problem gets worse, the further the shaft ends misalign.
Actually, if you look at the construction of a PTO shaft you'll realize that the two U-joints at the ends of the shaft actually create a CV joint, as long as the auger is perpendicular to the ground. The only difference between a PTO shaft and an actual U-joint is that there is no mechanism for forcing the two joints to be kept at the same angle. The shaft angular velocity between the U-joints fluctuates, but the U-joint at the top compensates for the effect of the U-joint at the bottom, creating a constant velocity of the auger regardless of shaft misalignment. This only works if the CV joints are aligned with each other such that their facing yokes are in the same orientation, which is why PTO slip shafts are keyed.
Another great vid Mike. A buddy is going to give me a used post hole digger for giving him 45 8 foot cedar post. I'll try to be extra careful with it. For storage, I'm thinking I'll hang it from a rafter in the barn. Or get a welder I know to make me that hole digger storage device I saw you do a vid on.
I am a subscriber to your channel. l love your videos can’t even begin to tell you how many times you have helped me out. Could you do a video how to correctly measure a PTO shaft for a post hole digger it is a little different then most PTO implements thanks for all the great content
Best way to prevent this is shut PTO on or off only when right at top of the ground. For information these twisting movements will also tend to take front wheel assist when you turn maximum loaded.
Hi! I appreciate all of your videos because I've learned from them. So I have a question for you regarding the yoke on a PTO shaft. What would cause the holes that hold the pins on the yoke to break? Thank you!
Nancy, I'm not exactly sure what you've got going on there. If you want to shoot me an e-mail with pictures, it's mike@asktractormike.com, we'll try to figure out what's causing the issue.
Check if the shaft that is on another implement fits..... We don't really need a PTO shaft for each implement if we have some that use the same length and splines.
I replaced the tube in a driveshaft for a 20,000 lb forklift with 3 inch pipe when a worker slapped the thing from forward to reverse at speed... and twisted the shaft. Much stronger than original.
Hey Mike, what is the minimum PTO shaft engagement recommendation so that I know where to set the rockshaft stop? Is there a formula or rule of thumb? It appears to me that I need to know this and the shortest dimension also for when I raise my rotary mower. I'm even thinking of putting a placard on my implements with its shaft limits (max and min length). Thanks for sharing your experience with us Mike!
Denise, I wouldn't guarantee this is correct for all implements but the number I've seen is a minimum of 4" overlap. I would say that number could change based on the torque that the implement requires and how far up and down it goes.. Post hole diggers travel in a pretty wide arc so it's probably close to the minimum at the top in order not to jam the two halves together when it's level.
I left the rear window open so I could see the auger better and when I raised it the top bar of the auger pushed up against the window and shattered it. That was an expensive mistake. 💵💰
David, that's the Tractor Caddy and it'll be released to the general public within about 30 days. It's actually something I came up with because of the lack of anywhere to put my chainsaw when I went to the field,. A local metal fabricating shop is building it, if you'll shoot me an e-mail at mike@asktractormike.com you'll be one of the first in line to hear about it.
That's the Tractor Caddy, a place to store stuff and it'll be available within about 30 days. It's actually something I came up with because of the lack of anywhere to put my chainsaw when I went to the field,. A local metal fabricating shop is building it, we've been testing now for months and it's in production as we speak. If you'll shoot me an e-mail at mike@asktractormike.com you'll be one of the first in line to hear details.
Anyone know if PTO shafts can be used on multiple pieces of equipment? I've got a post hole digger bought used with no shaft. Can I use the one from my rear finish mower?
The ends are literally roll pinned to the tube. 50 bucks gets the tubing. Knock out the pin, tap in the new shaft, drill the hole resin and bam. New shaft
I should have thought of that, but it was purchased new in 1981 and I think it only had a 30 year warranty so it might not have mattered. Still, they might have been willing to help me out, it would have been worth asking for :). It probably would have given the dealer we bought it from a good laugh but he's been out of business since 1993.
My PHD manual says to engage the PTO with the auger touching the ground and disengage before removing from the hole. There should be no reason for the PTO to be engaged at that height of the 3 point. Great video. We all need reminders of how simple slips of the mind or lapses in judgment can be costly! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mike. I am the second owner of a nice 2004 TC29DA New Holland since 2007. So I've had my tractor for many years. It's amazing the things I still learn while watching these types of videos. Just bought a similar 3 point hitch mounted auger and wouldn't have known about the PTO shaft problem you talked about. Thanks for the info. Hope to get some fence posts 'safely' in the ground in the spring.
Nice tip! I found that getting to know a local tractor/equipment tire dealer is very helpful too. I ran over a pry bar with one of the rear tires of my tractor during the course of building my pole barn. The pry bar put a nasty gash in the tire and the air was completely out in less than two minutes. A trip to the local equipment tire dealer and he had it patched from the inside....saving me hundreds of dollars.
Very, very good instructions and caution! Particularly since I plan to purchase a post hole digger very soon. And, since I have never used one before. That "position control" can be your new, best friend!
Good advise on the drive line. Be careful PTOs are one of the most dangerous things on the tractor.
... the most dangerous after the operator ;-)
Great advice.
Looks like I'm going to have to find a shop that repairs pto shafts. That's great advice.
Mike- Thx helpful video. Would like for you to discuss auger extensions. Example- sometimes you need to dig deeper holes for fence brace posts. Have a friend that made his own extension from 2 7/8” pipe.
You might have saved me a bunch of money and time. I'm about to use an auger on my tractor for the first time and hadn't thought of this. Thanks Mike! :-)
Great video Mike. The seemingly most insignificant things can end up costing a lot of $$ to fix. I've learned a few of these the hard way. I'm always on the lookout for new vids from you. They're really helpful.
I plan on a 3pt post hole digger, but haven't bought it yet. Thanks for the heads up! I will definitely read the manual, & set the stop on the pto lift accordingly!
Great Information!
Thanks!
Great job Mike! Very needed content! Thank you! Be safe and God bless you and your family !!!!!
Good video. I got fed up with this problem of drive shafts getting bent and u joints screwing up etc . Made a adapter bracket for gear box and put hydraulic motor on with power coupling . The cost and availability has come down now on hydraulic stuff .no more problems . Nice too have reverse on auger also . No more broken bolts etc . If you have the talent or somebody that can do this for you . I recommend it . I like that tray on tractor roll bar . That’s cool . Was just thinking of making something like that . 👍
Thank you in advance Mike for saving me lots of time and $$$$$$. So glad I found your UA-cam channel.
You're welcome Monte, thanks for watching!
I only paid $400 for my entire post hole digger. Still working great. I raise it to the max often. I guess I better check on that.
Good advice for all.good job hunting down options and sharing.
You may have saved me a bunch. I just purchased a new post hole digger from Agri Supply and did not know about the problem of lifting too high with the PTO engaged. Thanks, Mike!
That is good information about the drive shaft, and that is one thing I hope not to damage on my tractor. I am so glad that you showed us this problem, and how to prevent it, and even get it fixed.
good video. If you lift the auger out disengaged at the bottom of th hole, you can drive forward,engage it and save a lot of hand work.
Great info Mike. Can't be too careful. I sure do enjoy ur videos. Be safe and keep on tractoring!
Great video and advise. One other thing you might mention is calling for underground locates before putting any implements in the ground. I work for a utility company and post hole diggers hitting buried cable have cost people a lot more money than what they paid for that new PTO shaft. Locates are free. Even if you've been in house for years and are sure there's nothing down there call anyway. A lot of underground utilities are bored in from a distance now days and there's no visual clues like the cable plows used to leave.
Very good advice I have had that happen to me with a rear tine tiller
Walker Outdoors I advise that you disengage the PTO anytime you lift the tiller off the ground. Sure it will be and adjustment, but it's well worth it IMO.
Great video and advise. Your channel has kept me out of trouble as a new tractor owner. Thanks Mike!
So I learned:
If a non proven implement/tractor combo is being set up , all the basic setup principals must be checked or adjusted. Check the pro shaft full up full down with the pto not engaged (watch out because just because it is not spinning doesn't me I can't bend it some how :).
Also watch out for hitting the limits of the Ujoints ,, not just striking the pto shaft.
Love the Safety vids Mike (and friends).
What is the box up high bolted to your ROPS?
Good advice. I always raise and lower anything to max positions before spinning. My cutter will bend the PTO shaft if raised too high and I only have a bottom stop. Thankfully everyone is safe.
I once had the bolt on my slip clutch break off at the side of the cutter. Luckily the a frame on the cutter kept it contained but not before it ripped the plastic safety guards off. Amazing how expensive those guards are which makes sense why no one replaces them.
Tractor Mike, will you please do a video on measuring and cutting PTO shafts?
Here ya go: studio.ua-cam.com/users/video-Fu4KwtJG0o/edit?o=U
Great Video.
Everytime I see a new video, I realize how much more scary heavy equipment is. Even though a lot of it common sense. I love your videos.
Thanks, I probably overdo scaring people but it's important to have a healthy respect for what you're dealing with. There is SO much to learn if you've never operated equipment.
Tractor Mike I think the only PTO operates implement I’ve used was a blower at work for blowing leaves. Never had a problem. But I’m more than comfortable using a front loader and box scraper. Got a lot to learn about using the pallet forks. But I’m good with a bucket.
I've seen it both ways where thr shaft was too long and jamed the PTO shaft back into the diff. housing causing premature failure of the diff. gears. It was the dealer that set the shaft up wrong and it was covered under warranty. Luckily!
I have seen this also. Too long of a PTO shaft will not telescope closed far enough and will crush the tractor PTO bearing and the implement input shaft bearing. With a new PTO shaft, make sure you cut the excess off both PTO shafts to ensure it will not bottom out at minimum length dimension.
Hi Mike et al,
There's another consideration to using the shaft at the extreme end of 3-point lift: I think it's called 'Hooke's Joint Effect', but basically, the output rotation isn't constant speed, if the end joints are the normal 'Universal Joint' types. The result can be uneven loading on the transmission, with the output constantly accelerating and decelerating. A design around this is to use Constant Velocity (CV) joints, but I've never seen them used in this type of application. I think the problem gets worse, the further the shaft ends misalign.
Actually, if you look at the construction of a PTO shaft you'll realize that the two U-joints at the ends of the shaft actually create a CV joint, as long as the auger is perpendicular to the ground. The only difference between a PTO shaft and an actual U-joint is that there is no mechanism for forcing the two joints to be kept at the same angle. The shaft angular velocity between the U-joints fluctuates, but the U-joint at the top compensates for the effect of the U-joint at the bottom, creating a constant velocity of the auger regardless of shaft misalignment. This only works if the CV joints are aligned with each other such that their facing yokes are in the same orientation, which is why PTO slip shafts are keyed.
Great tips Mike!
Easy and cheap repair, can buy replacement inner and outer shafts. Cut them to length and secure with new roll pins
Another great vid Mike. A buddy is going to give me a used post hole digger for giving him 45 8 foot cedar post. I'll try to be extra careful with it. For storage, I'm thinking I'll hang it from a rafter in the barn. Or get a welder I know to make me that hole digger storage device I saw you do a vid on.
Yes, because it wants to kill you. Most awkward darned device to hook and unhook I've ever seen. Either method for storage will work.
Thanks for advise.... who knows how many lives you may have saved. Thanks again
Excellent advice as always. Thanks for posting. Stay safe.
Great information
Thanks Mike all ways helpfully advice
I am a subscriber to your channel. l love your videos can’t even begin to tell you how many times you have helped me out. Could you do a video how to correctly measure a PTO shaft for a post hole digger it is a little different then most PTO implements thanks for all the great content
Best way to prevent this is shut PTO on or off only when right at top of the ground. For information these twisting movements will also tend to take front wheel assist when you turn maximum loaded.
glad you posted that!
good info
Hi! I appreciate all of your videos because I've learned from them. So I have a question for you regarding the yoke on a PTO shaft. What would cause the holes that hold the pins on the yoke to break? Thank you!
Nancy, I'm not exactly sure what you've got going on there. If you want to shoot me an e-mail with pictures, it's mike@asktractormike.com, we'll try to figure out what's causing the issue.
Thanks for the advice!
👍good to know. Thanks
I think the pin adjustment on your arms let it lift higher than needed. Thanks.
So you agree with the presenter at 1:40. Very clever
Good Tip! someday when I get my PHD i'll use it. Whats the rectangular contraption bolted to the back of your ROPS bar?
Another very helpful and important video. Thank you
Check if the shaft that is on another implement fits.....
We don't really need a PTO shaft for each implement if we have some that use the same length and splines.
I replaced the tube in a driveshaft for a 20,000 lb forklift with 3 inch pipe when a worker slapped the thing from forward to reverse at speed... and twisted the shaft. Much stronger than original.
Can auger be extended on shaft for deeper hole?
Hey Mike, what is the minimum PTO shaft engagement recommendation so that I know where to set the rockshaft stop? Is there a formula or rule of thumb? It appears to me that I need to know this and the shortest dimension also for when I raise my rotary mower. I'm even thinking of putting a placard on my implements with its shaft limits (max and min length). Thanks for sharing your experience with us Mike!
Denise, I wouldn't guarantee this is correct for all implements but the number I've seen is a minimum of 4" overlap. I would say that number could change based on the torque that the implement requires and how far up and down it goes.. Post hole diggers travel in a pretty wide arc so it's probably close to the minimum at the top in order not to jam the two halves together when it's level.
I left the rear window open so I could see the auger better and when I raised it the top bar of the auger pushed up against the window and shattered it. That was an expensive mistake. 💵💰
I saw WranglerStar do that.
Can you show us that shelf you have on the ROP? I have a New Holland tractor and it needs more storage.
David, that's the Tractor Caddy and it'll be released to the general public within about 30 days. It's actually something I came up with because of the lack of anywhere to put my chainsaw when I went to the field,. A local metal fabricating shop is building it, if you'll shoot me an e-mail at mike@asktractormike.com you'll be one of the first in line to hear about it.
Great video Mike. Good advice. One question, what is that rectangular black box mounted on your ROPS?
That's the Tractor Caddy, a place to store stuff and it'll be available within about 30 days. It's actually something I came up with because of the lack of anywhere to put my chainsaw when I went to the field,. A local metal fabricating shop is building it, we've been testing now for months and it's in production as we speak. If you'll shoot me an e-mail at mike@asktractormike.com you'll be one of the first in line to hear details.
Anyone know if PTO shafts can be used on multiple pieces of equipment? I've got a post hole digger bought used with no shaft. Can I use the one from my rear finish mower?
Life is good, it's your fault, I love the video
The ends are literally roll pinned to the tube. 50 bucks gets the tubing. Knock out the pin, tap in the new shaft, drill the hole resin and bam. New shaft
good grief 400$ for a piece of tubeing?? good idea for a fix!!
Has a house and a BS and he still get a dad to pay for renatl parts. Don't say there are two types of have and and have nots.
what you didnt try for warranty?
I should have thought of that, but it was purchased new in 1981 and I think it only had a 30 year warranty so it might not have mattered. Still, they might have been willing to help me out, it would have been worth asking for :). It probably would have given the dealer we bought it from a good laugh but he's been out of business since 1993.
Never let an engineer use equipment..first safety mistake
The name Brushhog makes me cringe when I hear it. Living down south we have BushHogs. Its just weird hah
Cows with guns
You could have ordered one on Amazon for half that. Free shipping.
repair solution does not fix the design issuen the allows the condition.
Always call 811 Free locator service.
It call cost thousands is you hit something.
No reason not to call !
Mike Clynes thats another video I'm certain but yes that is a must anytime you need to dig a hole
Mike Clynes, at that depth you won’t hit a power or communications line.
😈
Oops...too lazy to redo it. I wondered if you were still listening. Actually you're starting to creep me out a little :).
I get so frustrated by talk; and not clarity. Point, show exactly what your talking about-less story/laughing!
And don't forget to send this to all your tractor owning family and friends.