PTO Link® How to Measure Driveline to Determine if Shortening is Needed updated 1 25 2024

Below are the Instructions on How to Measure, to determine whether to shorten an implement driveline when installing the PTO Link® Quick Connect System. (See below for options, exceptions & video timecode)
Many of our PTO Link® customers do NOT need to shorten their driveline to accommodate the 4.5 to 5 inches added by PTO Link®. However, everyone should verify whether this is necessary by first evaluating and comparing the following measurements (a) and (b):
(a) Before installing PTO Link® and when the implement is fully connected to your tractor AND is sitting on level ground, measure the maximum distance the implement driveline slides in during a hydraulic lift* and after it has been lowered back to the ground, then ADD 1 inch to that measurement;
(b) Install each PTO Link® coupler to the tractor and implement, but do NOT connect the couplers. Then measure the distance between the two installed PTO Link® couplers (make sure they are facing square to each other and at the same height) when the driveline is fully collapsed (bottomed out toward the gearbox).
(b - 2nd option) If you don’t have the PTO Link® couplers yet, you can estimate (measurement-b) by simulating the length added by the PTO Link®, by measuring the distance between the tip of the tractor PTO male spline and the tip of the Implement female receiver (make sure they are facing square to each other and at the same height) when the driveline is fully collapsed (bottomed out), then SUBTRACT 3 inches. [This will be your estimated (b) measurement, if the PTO Link® was installed]. Note: this measurement is for estimation purposes only. The most accurate measurement (when determining whether to cut the driveline) is best measured once the PTO Link® is fully installed.
Take the above measurements and compare the following:
1. If (a) is less than or equal to (b), then no adjustment is necessary.
2. If (a) is greater than (b), then the difference [(a) minus (b)] is the recommended amount to shorten the driveline.
OPTIONS: Of course, a helpful alternative to shorten the driveline is to install a quick-hitch system to your 3 point hitch (e.g., Pat’s Easy Change, iMatch, etc.) which lengthens the distance between your tractor and implement and tends to offset most** of the PTO driveline length added by PTO Link®.
*EXCEPTIONS: With some smaller tractors (when using a tiller) the driveline will actually collapse further when being lowered ‘into the ground’ (from ground level). Therefore, pay special attention to how your driveline slides during use to avoid incorrect measuring when confirming if driveline slide is adequate. NOTE: For tractor Post Hole Diggers / Auger implements, see (F.A.Q. #6) for special instructions.
**REMEMBER, if your 3 point quick hitch was installed by the dealer at the time of purchase of the tractor, 3 point quick hitch and implement, then the driveline will likely not have been cut down as much since the 3 point quick hitch was used as part of the final measuring evaluation.
If you have any questions, need additional guidance or curious as to how easy adjusting (cutting) the driveline is (see FAQ #1 - last video), or feel free to call our Customer Care Hotline at: 833-444-5465, ext 3.
www.tractorPTOlink.com
Videographer: Caeden Anderson
Video Instruction by Dave Anderson (Customer Care)
Video Timecode
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - EVERYONE should get these measurements!
00:20 - Getting measurements (overview 3-point implements)
00:23 - Getting “Measurement A”, the maximum slide distance (before installing PTO Link®), example is rotary cutter
01:30 - Safety Notice
02:00 - Getting “Measurement B”
02:34 - Comparing “Measurements A and B” (determines if adjustments needed?)
02:45 - How to get “Measurement B / 2nd Option” (Use this if you ‘DO NOT’ have the PTO Link® yet, for estimation purposes ONLY)
03:26 - Tiller example (used a tiller on 2nd example, but same measurements for most 3-point implements)
03:44 - Get “Measurements A”
04:13 - Get “Measurement B”
04:34 - Compare “Measurements A & B” (measurements show how much adjustment is needed, in this example)
05:09 - Where to cut for adjusting the driveline (4 cuts in total)
05:25 - Possible alternatives to shortening driveline, to help offset the length added by the PTO Link®
05:45 - Exceptions to keep in mind (References to FAQ #5 & #6)
06:00 - Reminder: Every implement / tractor combination will be unique, so measure all implements
06:18 - Pull Behind Implements (mower ex.) similar measurements, with exceptions
06:28 - Get “Measurements A” (specific to pull behinds)
07:16 - Get “Measurement B” (reference to previous examples)
07:48 - Option to extend drawbar (possible alternative to shortening)
08:04 - How to “FINAL TEST” driveline length & Angle for pull behinds
08:40 - Get Over-Angle Pre-Check
08:47 - CV or Universal-Joint differences
09:41 - Warning: if your driveline is too long, it will bottom out/cause damage
09:53 - Call us for questions 833.444.5465 ext 3