Wrestling with the plastc tabs that secure PTO shaft shields

[icehorse]

I've done this a few times, but my brand new - built like a tank - vevor has tabs that are getting the better of me. it's like you need 3 people and three screwdrivers?

Is there a trick I'm missing?

 

[whatsupdoc]

Been there, they suck period.

 

[McMXi]

Is there a trick I'm missing?

Yes! Buy implements that have camming style latches for the PTO shaft shields.

Seriously though, PTO shields can be a PITA to deal with. I removed the shield from the RCR1884 rotary cutter with the idea to make up an easily removable one out of sheet metal. Another job on my list.

 

[icehorse]

Yes! Buy implements that have camming style latches for the PTO shaft shields.

Yes, my landpride rotary cutter has those - awesome.

My new thought is to try small alligator clips that would go into the holes and then clip onto the shield, lowering the tabs... we'll see

 

[Runs With Scissors]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

 

[icehorse]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

i gave that some serious thought. I was thinking that i could wrap duct tape around the yoke end of the smaller shield tube so that the shield tubes could slide a little but not enuf to expose the spinnies.

but i'm optimistic about my alligator clip idea..

 

[GreensvilleJay]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

Had the 'fun' of flippin the prop on a float plane one summer..that gets you real close and personal !

I got rid of the ROPS so I could get tractor into my garage. never understood why a 10MPH tractor is reuired by law to have ROPS but none of the 60+++ MPH 'ATV's don't have to have them.

 

[JasonW]

I've done this a few times, but my brand new - built like a tank - vevor has tabs that are getting the better of me. it's like you need 3 people and three screwdrivers?

Is there a trick I'm missing?

Are you talking about the shaft shields that stay attached to the implement or the shields on the actual PTO shaft? There are different styles and each one comes apart differently. Search what style you have and go from there. My landpride’s have a style that you have to remove three tabs before it will separate the cone from the tube.

 

[icehorse]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

@GreensvilleJay

Well the alligator clips were almost a good idea. What I really needed was hemostats because the alligator clips were too short and wide.

But with the help of two boys, a goat, and 3 flat head screwdrivers I got one of the shields off!

Now it's time for a medium strength beer, and pondering how to tweak these shields so that they're not so horrible next time.

 

[Russell King]

You might want to apply heat to the tabs and bend them so they don’t engage so robustly. Or modify the other part so the tab is easier to push down.

But you can also replace the plastic shield with one that is easier to operate. I bought one that has levers that can be pried up to release the ends. From Bare Company if I recall correctly.

 

[JonM]

Had the 'fun' of flippin the prop on a float plane one summer..that gets you real close and personal !

I got rid of the ROPS so I could get tractor into my garage. never understood why a 10MPH tractor is reuired by law to have ROPS but none of the 60+++ MPH 'ATV's don't have to have them.

when a 400lb atv lands on you yoir hurting but alive but when a 8000lb 4ton tractor lands on you you're just a greasy spot...

 

[NCL4701]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

I am surprised that your list of various ways to shake hands with danger didn’t include running with scissors.

 

[BAP]

Icehorse, are you trying to remove them in order to grease the ujoint? If that’s the only reason you are removing it, then do what we have done for the last 45 years and take an Utility Knife and enlarge the hole for greasing to make it easier to grease the ujoint. That way you still have the shield to protect things but an easier time greasing.

 

[Bmyers]

This is NOT the suggested way to do it……and I am quite sure the ‘safety police” will call me out……..But I cut all those damn things off.

GIANT PITA………...

Instead of having them on, I simply do not put my hands/arms/body parts near “spinny things" like that.

When I worked on “propeller airplanes” I would stand "literally 2 feet" from the spinning blades to do certain motor adjustments…..Still here……(but I did hate that)

I also do not wear helmets when riding bicycles, never had a car seat, did not wear seat belts (before it was illegal),…….always thought that .014 BAC was “pretty good to drive”, ……..smoked Marlboro “Lights” and drank “light" beer for the health benefits, I also modified my ROPs pins and yet……….here I am today………..

My machine……my life….my decision…



EDIT: I also drank from the garden hose………...

I will admit, I have removed my shields in devices that no one shoul dbe around when they are running,

Equipment (chipper, etc,) that people could be close to the running PTO has shields. My rotatry cutter, no shield and no one should be around it when I'm running it.

 

[icehorse]

Icehorse, are you trying to remove them in order to grease the ujoint? If that’s the only reason you are removing it, then do what we have done for the last 45 years and take an Utility Knife and enlarge the hole for greasing to make it easier to grease the ujoint. That way you still have the shield to protect things but an easier time greasing.

Good tip, but I've got to cut the shafts down to size. In this case, I'll be cutting 9-10 inches off of both shafts (and the shields)

 

[icehorse]

Okay, I got both sleeves off! FFF, JFC, OMFG and so on. So I took the nylon bearings off so that the sleeves now have nothing to connect to, near the yoke. Got all four cuts done - a walk in the park compared to those stupid "safety" tabs. There is plenty of overlap with the two plastic safety sleeves so I think I'm going to wrap some duct tape around the yoke end of the smaller safety sleeve to act as a bumper for the larger safety sleeve and then let them slide back and forth as they will ???

 

[NCL4701]

Okay, I got both sleeves off! FFF, JFC, OMFG and so on. So I took the nylon bearings off so that the sleeves now have nothing to connect to, near the yoke. Got all four cuts done - a walk in the park compared to those stupid "safety" tabs. There is plenty of overlap with the two plastic safety sleeves so I think I'm going to wrap some duct tape around the yoke end of the smaller safety sleeve to act as a bumper for the larger safety sleeve and then let them slide back and forth as they will ???

You shortened the steel shaft 9” - 10” per post #15, so I’m assuming you shortened the plastic cover sleeve the same amount so it won’t bottom out and be damaged in normal use.

If no, the cover needs to be shortened. If yes, there’s no need to tape anything or create a bumper for anything. Just let it slide like it’s designed to do. If it has a rough edge from where you cut it to shorten it and you don’t like that, a couple minutes with a piece of sandpaper will smooth that up.