F.A.Q.
Horse Power Rating
- PTO Link™ SD – Maximum tractor HP rating: 100 HP (Engine Net)
- PTO Link™ Compact (New!) – Maximum tractor HP rating: 40 HP
- PTO Link™ HD (New!) – Maximum tractor HP rating: 130 HP
* See more details below
Design Features
- AISI 4140 alloy steel—heat treated and hardened
- CNC machine cut to engineered precision
- QPQSM coating
- Hardens surface up to 3X carbon steel
- Superior wear resistance
- Long term protection against rust and corrosion.
Stud Shear Strength
- (4) 1/2″ Studs
- 60 KSI min.Yield
- Shear Strength 3,682 ft-lb Torque
Plate Stud Hole Bearing Strength
- 3/8″ Plate: 36 KSI min.Yield
- (4) 1/2″ Stud Holes: 60 KSI min.Yield
- Bearing Strength: 3,446 ft-lb Torque
Spline Bearing Strength
- 6 Spline -ASABE A500 type 1
- 75 KSI min.Yield
- Bearing Strength: 4,187 ft-lb Torque
Spline Shear Strength (TYP greater than bearing)
- 6 Spline -ASABE A500 type 1
- Tensile Strength: 90 KSI
- Shear Strength: 5232 ft-lb Torque
*PTO Link™ SD – Ideal for tractors 20HP up to 100HP (for tractors under 35HP with spline length less than 3″, see PTO Link™ Compact)
*PTO Link™ Compact – Ideal for tractors up to 40HP and PTO splines less than 3″ in length. REQUIRED for the following tractor models: All Kubota BX, B and LX series, John Deere 2520, Kioti CS2510, Yanmar SA425, New Holland Workmaster 25S, Cub Cadet 6284D, Bad Boy 3026 and LS MT125.
*PTO Link™ HD – Ideal for tractors 35HP to 130HP. Also, for any tractor w/8′ or wider Shedders/Mowers, and any size Flexwing/Batwing rotary cutters.
NOTICE: For pull-behind implements with two-stage or “dual” drivelines (two distinct drivelines connected by a universal or CV joint located midway between the PTO and the main gearbox of the implement), the PTO Link™ system may not be compatible and not generally recommended. Please call 833.444.5465 for evaluation or any questions.
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Yes, the tractor’s PTO spline/driveline is extended by 4.5″ (w/Compact) and 5″ (w/SD and HD) once equipped with the PTO Link™ system. (See Implement Driveline details below)
Buy NowMost of 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):
See Link Below – for Video of these Instructions
(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*, then ADD 1 inch to that measurement;
(b) Install each PTO Link™ plate to the tractor and implement, but do NOT connect the plates. Then measure the distance between the two installed PTO Link™ plates (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™ plates 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, an 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, or need additional guidance, please call our Customer Care Hotline at: 833-444-5465, ext 3.
This is a Video Demonstration for the above Instructions:
For other PTO Link™ Installation Videos, please click the “Installation” tab.
The above video doesn’t cover measuring with an auger… so this is what we recommend:
First connect the Auger to the tractor, but before connecting the PTO, manually collapse (bottom out) your driveline (by hand) toward the implement gear box. Notice where the two shields overlap and place two pieces of visible tape (like painter’s tape) to the both of covers (where they overlap each other)… that will give you a visible indicator of where your driveline bottoms out. THEN, install the PTO Link. As you’re digging, watch those two pieces of tape as they move closer together as you go deeper into the ground. We recommend you keep them 1″ apart (i.e. the Measurement A’s “safety gap of 1 extra inch” on the video) during operation.
Remember, installing the PTO Link™ System adds 4.5 to 5 inches the driveline length, so watching the two marked locations with tape will tell you if you need to adjust your driveline and also becomes a way to measure to determine if further driveline adjustments are needed.
We don’t cover this tip on the video because that’s one implement that is hardest to get “pre-install measurements” for when using the “driveline measuring guideline” (video #3) https://tractorptolink.com/videos/
For all other implements, please use the video guide to determine if you need to adjust the implement driveline.
If you need further assistance, please call 833.444.5465 ext 3 (Customer Care line).
Buy NowIn our videos we often refer to the benefits of using the “freewheel option” on your tractor’s PTO – when coupling the PTO Link™ system. We have gotten various feedback when this is mentioned, including some who have never heard of it. So, for those newer tractor owners who may not be familiar with this feature, here’s our best explanation. By the way, our wonderful customers share their experiences for these tips, and some ‘do’ and some ‘do not’ have this feature on their tractor, so please check yours to verify. If your tractor PTO freewheels, that is usually the best way to make the connection…even easier!
A ‘freewheeling’ PTO is when the tractor’s PTO will ‘turn/rotate freely’. When connecting the PTO Link™ systems, this feature makes the PTO Link™ quick-connecting system even easier! We have found various types of ‘freewheeling’ PTO’s, while testing and shooting our videos. Some will ‘freewheel’ 100%, with no stops; and some rotate a 25-50% turn then stop; and some have literally no rotation at all.
Does my tractor freewheel? It makes perfect sense to NOT grab a grease-covered PTO tractor spline, so we understand that many new users may not know if their tractor has this option. So keep reading for important tips when checking for this tractor option.
How to check: For safety, always turn off your tractor engine (yeah, sounds crazy, but some leave it running and we DO NOT recommend that!). Grab a rag and cover the greasy spline and test if it will rotate – and how much. You may find it turns freely or partially (as mentioned above). NOTE: If you already have the PTO Link™ system, remember to install the tractor (female) coupler onto the spline first, then test the rotation, using the clean PTO link™ female plate. No more greasy hands for you!
What if my tractor’s PTO does not freewheel? In some cases, your tractor may not freewheel OR there may be a setting to “get it to freewheel”. Don’t assume anything – keep reading to know for sure.
For smaller tractors that have a belly mower option, customers tell us they will have multiple PTO settings…which is key. For instance, a ‘mid’, ‘mid and rear’ or ‘rear only’ PTO setting. We find most are successful by putting their PTO in the “Mid” setting – this will usually free up the rear PTO to spin freely. Some of our customers say they had no idea this setting would do the trick – so please check all available options to determine if your tractor has this capability.
Is your Tractor an ‘E’ model? I get two responses to this. Some say they their “E” model tractors won’t freewheel – while some say their ‘E’ model will freewheel. So please check your’s, search online forums and/or call your dealer to confirm if your specific model has this option.
If you have tested and confirmed your tractor doesn’t freewheel… we have a couple helpful tips collected over the years:
1. While we recommend using the freewheeling option on the tractor side, if your tractor doesn’t have that feature, continue to use the implement side for rotation to connect/disconnect the PTO Link™ coupling plates.
2. If you can’t rotate the implement side easily, you may have a ground clearance issue. If so, make a partial hydraulic lift to raise your mower or tiller blades/tines off the ground so you can rotate your implement side to make the connection.
3. Some have used an adjustable wrench on the PTO Link™ (male side) spline, just in front of the Implement’s female receiver.
4. Some also use a large screwdriver or small pry bar in the u-joint area for greater leverage to manually rotate the implement side for connection.
5. Some say they have had to use a second person to rotate the blades of the tiller, belt-driven fishing mowers, batwings, etc. All of these options are unnecessary if you have a PTO that will freewheel.
Please watch our video (#2 on the page), “Unboxing the PTO Link™ System Pt 2 – Install & Connecting Tips” for video demonstration of freewheeling and other helpful tips.
If you have any further tips for…getting your tractor to freewheel or other ways to rotate the implement side (that are not mentioned above), please send me an email to [email protected] or call if you have other questions at 833.444.5465 ext 3.
Buy NowCurrently the PTO Link™ system works with most 6 spline PTO (540 RPM) tractors* under 40HP (Compact) or up to 100 HP (SD) and up to 130HP (HD).
*PTO Link™ SD – Ideal for tractors 20HP up to 100HP. (for tractors with spline lengths less than 3″, see PTO Link™ Compact)
*PTO Link™ Compact – Ideal for tractors up to 40HP and those who have PTO splines shorter (less than 3″ in length), but can also be used on standard spline lengths (greater than 3”). The Compact System is REQUIRED for the following tractor models: Kubota BX, B & LX Series, Kioti CS Series, Yanmar SA Series, John Deere 2520, New Holland Workmaster 25S, Cub Cadet 6284D, Bad Boy 3026 and LS MT125.
*PTO Link™ HD – Ideal for tractors 35HP to 130HP. Also, for any tractor w/8′ or wider Shedders/Mowers, and any size Flexwing/Batwing rotary cutters.
NOTICE: For pull-behind implements with two-stage or “dual” drivelines (two distinct drivelines connected by a universal or CV joint located midway between the PTO and the main gearbox of the implement), the PTO Link™ system may not be compatible and not generally recommended.
If you need further assistance in evaluating your tractor for compatibility, please Call before purchasing. 833.444.5465 ext 3
Buy NowThe PTO Link™ is by design not classified as an adapter, but rather a PTO quick-connect system. By contrast, a PTO adapter (which is not a quick-connect system) serves two entirely different purposes: 1. to intentionally extend the PTO driveline or, 2. interchange a 540 rpm spline to 1000 rpm spline. Also, a PTO adapter is a single-piece device, whereas the PTO Link™ consists of two interfacing male/female couplers designed to simplify the connection process between a PTO and the implement shaft. In fact when our engineers went through the ASABE certification standards review, the PTO Link™ was found to be in compliance with ASABE as long as our quick-connect system was not used in tandem with PTO adapters. This is why our product labeling specifically warns against using the PTO Link™ with PTO adapters in order to comply with the ASABE standards.
Buy NowNOTE: This video features the original “Plunger Pin”, but we have upgraded that pin with the new “Safety Bolt” (video coming soon). The Grade 8 pin serves the same purpose as the Plunger Pin, but can be installed from either the tractor side or the implement side…for added ease to install and removal. The ball detent holds the pin in place. To remove it, simple press it back through the hole during when disconnecting the coupled plates.
Spare Safety Bolts are available for the PTO Link™ Compact, SD and HD systems. Compact systems will have either the original Plunger Pin or the new Safety Bolt (when ordering a spare).
We believe in “America First” and the exceptional nature of our country’s constitution and its founding. We therefore strive to make our products the highest quality and at the most affordable cost to our customers. PTO Link™ is made in the USA of domestic and imported parts. The manufactured components of PTO Link™ are supplied by various vendors all located in the USA. Our domestic vendors, in turn, source their component materials and parts from various places in the US and around the world. To insure product safety and consistency, all manufactured parts (regardless of their origin) are routinely tested and inspected for material specifications, quality control and performance standards in keeping with our HP and torque ratings. All PTO Link™ products are compliant with ASABE standards and are assembled in our Texas headquarters prior to customer shipment.
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