John Deere

Power Take Off Shaft

Final Presentation
June 8, 2004
 Group Members-
The Ohio State University
„ Core Team: „ Consultants:
‰ Kate Blonski – ISE ‰ Greg Wells - FABE
‰ Maggie Neuder – ISE ‰ Erick Gracely - FABE
‰ Matthew Kreager – ME ‰ Kory Siesel - FABE
‰ Jon Ivory – ME ‰ Michael Podrosky -
‰ Wanjoon Cho – ME FABE
„ Advisors:
‰ Larry Heckendorn –
FABE
‰ Tony Luscher – ME
‰ Carolyn Sommerich –
ISE
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 Overview
„ Problem Definition and
Goal
„ Design Process
„ Schedule
„ Initial Designs
„ Final Design
„ CAD Models
„ Calculations
„ Wooden Mockup
„ Going Forward
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 Current Attachment
System

Rear of Tractor

Quick Hitch
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 Problem Definition

„ Tractor must be carefully aligned with implement to

allow for connection of a 3-point hitch
„ The PTO shaft poses a danger if the guards are
removed and can be inconvenient for one person to
manually connect and disconnect
‰ PTO shaft weight ranges approximately from 20-100 lbs
‰ Hook-up requires reaching around possible pinch points on
the tractor hitch
„ The process requires turning off and exiting the tractor
seat leading to long changeover times

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 Project Goal

„ To design and build a prototype system that:

‰ Does not require the tractor operator to dismount
the tractor during connection or disconnection
‰ Easily retrofits to existing equipment with limited
modifications to both the tractor and the implement
‰ Is as hands free as possible with minimal physical
exertion, less than a 100N force
‰ Is affordable, less than 10% of the implement cost

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 Design Process
„ Individual initial research
„ Define the problem
„ Individual brainstorming
„ Small group brainstorming session
„ Present ideas to the entire group
„ Discuss and refine ideas
„ Individual Re-design
„ Group Decision on Design
„ Detailed CAD Models
„ Wooden Mock-up
„ Design Review

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 Research

ASAE S278.7
U-Frame Coupler Standards

„ Power Shows in Columbus and

in Louisville
„ ASAE Standards
„ Previous Patents
ASAE S217.12
3-Point Attachment Standards
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 Original Schedule

Summarized by Week
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 Actual Schedule

Summarized by Week
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 Schedule Problems

„ Project Creep
‰ Wooden Mockup not in original schedule
„ Purchasing Materials
„ Delays in Machining
„ Lack of Experience with laying out Schedule

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 Project Budget

Prototype Cost
$2,357.65

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Spring & Hook Locator
„ Pros
‰ Eliminates need to
stabilize U-Joint
‰ Easily retrofitted
‰ Affordable
„ Concerns
‰ Hard to align shafts
‰ Springs can be inaccurate
‰ Requires exiting Tractor

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 Spring and Hook Locator
– Possible Additions
Squeeze Method of Stabilizing Linkage Method of Stabilizing

„ Constraints „ Constraints
‰ Cost - Hydraulics ‰ Range of Motion
‰ Feasibility

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Rollers – Revised

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 Rollers - Conceptualized
„ Pros
‰ Fairly simple mechanism
‰ Not many modifications from the existing system
‰ Low cost is expected
„ Concerns
‰ Controlling U-joint to align with the spline before the
connection
„ Must find a way to make the U-joint rigid right before the
connection to the spline.
‰ Lifting PTO shaft from the ground with the hitch:
„ Feasibility of lifting the shaft to the level of spline with the help of
roller is in question.

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 Stabilizing PTO Shaft
- Revised
Implement Attachment

Thrust Bearing

Compression Springs

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 Using Lever to Release
Locking Collar
Tractor

Lever Positioned to
Release Locking Collar
Locking Collar
compressed by Lever
Lever removed from
collar

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 PTO Shaft Stabilizer
with Release Lever
„ Pros
‰ For use with standard JD Quick Hitch
‰ Stabilizes PTO shaft while allowing for movement
‰ Allows for attachment and detachment from tractor cab
„ Concerns
‰ The thrust bearing must be able to slightly rotate
‰ The telescoping shaft will be troublesome for connection and
sitting in bearing
‰ The u-joint must be supported
‰ May need further guiding for connection
„ Conclusions
‰ Uncertainties are difficult to alleviate
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Two PTO Shafts
- Initial Sketch

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 Two PTO Shafts - Sketch
Tractor Side (1 of 2)

Detail Views of
Sliding Face

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 Two PTO Shafts - Sketch
(2 of 2)
Implement Side

Detail Views of
Fixed Face

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 Two PTO Shafts
- Conceptualized
„ Pros
‰ The PTO Shafts are connected at a fixed interface
‰ Allows for totally hands free attachment of implements
„ Need to release tabs when unhooking
‰ Lever/cable mechanism
‰ Allows for attachment of other 3-point implements and
drawbar implements
„ Concerns
‰ Tractor must be carefully aligned with the implement
„ Pins and interfaces help to ensure alignment

‰ Cost – multiple implements

‰ Vertical Range of Operation – Increase using CV Joints?

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 Two PTO Shafts
- CAD Models

Tractor Attachment Implement Attachment

(PTO Shafts not shown)
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 Two PTO Shafts
- CAD Assembly

View from Tractor Side View from Implement Side

(PTO Shafts not shown)

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 Connection Process

Attached to Attached to
Tractor Implement
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Connection Process

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Connection Process

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Connection Process

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Connection Process

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Connection Process

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 Two PTO Shafts
- Modified Splines

Female – Tractor Side Male – Implement Side

Ends of splines tapered to provide rotation

movement when connecting

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Spline Calculations

Need to perform tests to determine

required torque to spin shaft

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 Angle Calculations

Calculations

„ Operating angle of +/- 10

degrees provides an operating
range of between 6.7” and 8.4”
„ Design will be modified so
that range is best placed
‰ Approximately centered
Side View – Lower Link Horizontal
around horizontal (?)

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 Wooden Mock-up

Tractor Side Implement Side

Built to functionally model interaction during connection process

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Wooden Mock-up

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 Wooden Mock-up
Lessons Learned
„ Measure at all points
‰ Quick Hitch ‘legs’ slant in slightly
„ Closely analyze all interaction points
„ Remember that “4x4s” are not actually 4 inches
„ Drilling straight holes is not as easy as it looks
„ Wood and PVC are not highly precise
components

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 Recommendations
- Going Forward
„ Further Testing
‰ Spline Connection
‰ Running Conditions
‰ Operating Angles
‰ Operating Loads
„ Streamlining Design, Removing Weight
„ Adding Cable System for Latching/Unlatching
„ Integrating into Implement Design

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Possible Modifications

„ Idea generated during

Design Review
„ By sloping the back of
the slider, the travel of
the slider can be
increased
‰ Allows for ease of
connection

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Alternate Interface
„ For use with Two PTO
Shaft Design
„ This design would allow
for attaching PTO Shafts
as the Implement is
picked up
‰ Both faces would be
fixed, no springs
„ Concerns
‰ Shafts must be correctly
oriented (as shown) to
connect
‰ Could the altered shape
transfer the torque?

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 Thank You

„ Our Sponsor - John Deere

‰ Dennis Jeffries
‰ Bruce Beebe, Don Morgan, Fred Vanblarcom
„ Our Advisors
‰ Larry Heckendorn, Tony Luscher, Carolyn Sommerich
„ Gary Gardner, ME Machine Shop

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 Questions

Webpage: http://rclsgi.eng.ohio-state.edu/~ivory/

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