Jul. 21, 2025
Automobiles & Motorcycles
We get a lot of questions surrounding PTO shafts and how to attach them to your tractor. In today’s post, we’ll cover the basics of PTO, PTO Shafts, and PTO adapters for your tractor mounted implements.
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Spoiler alert: Yes – PTO shaft is included with all tractor implements purchased from Victory Tractor at etractorimplements.com!
PTO stands for “Power Take-Off” and is the primary mechanism for providing power to an attachment or implement (such as a flail mower) via PTO shaft.
By providing rotational energy through the driveshaft (or cardan shaft) a variety of tractor mounted implements can be operated by small and mid-sized tractors.
A PTO shaft transfers the power from the tractor to the PTO powered attachment. This enables the tractor to power a variety of tractor implements including flail mowers, wood chippers, rotary tillers, excavators, and more.
PTO shaft connectors on tractors are not standardized which can lead to complications when connecting the PTO shaft. For example, some older tractor models have the connection flange closer to the tractor itself making it difficult to connect and lead to a potential safety hazard.
To avoid potential connectivity issues, you may want to consider a PTO Adapter for your tractor. The PTO adapter extends the connection to the implement, providing additional space for the PTO shaft to turn without touching the Arm Weldment or other parts of your tractor or the implement.
As a precautionary measure, it is a good idea to purchase a PTO adapter to ensure compatibility with your particular tractor model.
The PTO shaft included with all Victory Tractor mowers has a longer extension than the typical PTO Shaft. The added length is necessary because of the far reaching movement of the mowers to the right of the tractor.
A PTO Adapter can be useful when operating Victory’s EMSD and EMHD Embankment Flail mowers.
The absence of a PTO Adapter could cause the PTO shaft to conflict with the arm weldment, which connects to the CAT I/II 3 point hitch.
Prior to running the PTO, you will need your tractor to reach the starting RPM (revolutions per minute). Once the starting RPM has been reached you can begin operating the PTO.
Once the PTO has begun to power the attachment, steadily increase the throttle until you reach the operating speed. The typical running RPM (revolutions per minute) for a tractor mounted PTO is 540 RPM, although there are tractor models that rev higher.
Always refer to your particular tractor model for instructions prior to first-time use.
The most common PTO related injuries tend to occur when articles of loose clothing become entangled in the shaft.
When operating the PTO, never reach over the shaft for any reason and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing.
Injury can occur quickly, providing the operator little time to react, and in some cases resulting in death.
https://extension.psu.edu/power-take-off-pto-safety
Final thoughts
Before making a decision it’s a good idea to call the company you are considering purchasing from and ask questions directly. If you are able to speak with someone who is knowledgeable it’s probably a good sign that you are making the right decision.
Victory Tractor Implements is proud to offer a wide range of products including flail mowers, wood chippers, rotary tillers, and backhoes, all designed to be connected directly to your tractor’s PTO for maximum efficiency and performance. In addition, we also offer winter equipment such as snow plows and snow blowers, designed for use with skid steers.
We source all of our equipment directly from the manufacturer and pass the savings on to our customers. As always, the team is standing by to answer any questions to assist with your decision. Victory support can be reached directly at (562) 534- or
Many PTO Link® customers do NOT need to shorten their driveline to accommodate the 5 inches added by PTO Link®. However, everyone should verify whether this is necessary by first evaluating and comparing the following two 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 (collapses 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 yet. 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).
Note for those with extending lift arms: Always have your extended arms back in their operational mode, BEFORE getting your measurement A & B.
(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.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit PTO Shaft Adapter.
Related links: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 or stump grinder) 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 by your dealer.
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-, ext 3.
This is a Video Demonstration for the above Instructions:
The above instructions and video does not cover measuring with an posthole digger/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) around both of the covers (where they overlap each other). Now that the 2 locations have been “taped” (they should be side by side), 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 a a minimum of 1 inch 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 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 when using the “tape test” on other implements.
We don’t cover this tip on the measuring driveline video because that is one implement that is hardest to get “pre-install measurements” for, when using the “driveline measuring guideline” (Watch Video HERE).
For all other implements, please use the video guide at FAQ #5, to determine if you need to adjust the implement driveline.
If you need further assistance, please call 833.444. ext 3 (Customer Care line).
In our videos we often refer to the benefits of using the “free-wheel 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 free-wheels, that is usually the best way to make the connection…even easier!
A ‘free-wheeling’ 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 ‘free-wheeling’ PTO’s, while testing and shooting our videos. Some will ‘free-wheel’ 100%, with no stops; and some rotate a 25-50% turn then stop; and some have literally no rotation at all.
Does my tractor free-wheel? 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. Plus, if your tractor engine is running, the hydraulic pressure may prevent any manual rotational movement of the PTO during this test–so PLEASE first turn off the tractor. Then with a rag, 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® Tractor Coupler. No more greasy hands for you!
What if my tractor’s PTO does not free-wheel? In some cases, your tractor may not free-wheel OR there may be a setting to “get it to free-wheel”. 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? We get two responses to this. Some say they their “E” model tractors won’t free-wheel – while some say their ‘E’ model will free-wheel. So please check your tractor’s operating manual, 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 free-wheel… we have a couple helpful tips collected over the years:
1. While we recommend using the free-wheeling 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 couplers.
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. Use the PTO Align™ Spanner Wrench on the PTO Link® Implement Coupler spline installed inside the implement shaft’s female receiver. The Spanner Wrench is designed for just a task as this! The special offset angle of the Spanner Wrench will allow ease of access under the PTO Shield and connect at the splined narrow gap between the Implement coupler and the female receiver. See PTO Align™ Spanner Wrench page for more illustrations.
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. Note: be careful not to damage the grease zerk (located in this area).
5. Some say they have had to use a second person to rotate the blades of the tiller, belt-driven finishing mowers, flail mowers, batwings, etc. All of these options are unnecessary if you have a PTO that will free-wheel.
Please watch our “Unboxing the PTO Link® System Pt 2 – Install & Connecting Tips” for video demonstration of free-wheeling and other helpful tips.
If you have any further tips for…getting your tractor to free-wheel or other ways to rotate the implement side (that are not mentioned above), please send me an to [ protected] or call if you have other questions at 833.444. ext 3.
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