Clean Sweeps, Quality Silage: PTO Drive Shafts for Hay Rakes
In the Netherlands, grass is gold. High-quality silage is the foundation of the dairy industry. When the weather window opens, contractors (“loonwerkers”) move fast. Rotary Rakes (harken) and Tedders (schudders) work long hours, covering hundreds of hectares of uneven polder land. The PTO shaft driving these machines faces a unique challenge: Maneuverability.
Unlike a plow that works in straight lines, a rake is constantly turning at the headlands, navigating around ditches (sloten), and folding for transport. The driveline must accommodate these extreme angles without “chattering” or damaging the input gearbox. A seized u-joint or a failed torque limiter can leave rows of cut grass rotting in the rain.
At EVER-POWER, we have engineered the “H-Rake” Series specifically for the dynamic demands of grassland machinery. We focus on lightweight, wide-angle capabilities and reliable torque protection to keep your harvest moving.
🌾 Grassland Specialist Report: The Headland Turn
Emplacement: Dairy Farm, Friesland
Équipement: 2-Rotor Side Delivery Rake
“I observed a contractor raking silage. Every time he turned at the headland, the rake’s safety clutch would ratchet loudly, ‘Click-Click-Click’. He ignored it, saying, ‘it always does that.
This is a classic error. The clicking meant the standard PTO shaft was binding due to the sharp angle (over 45 degrees), causing torque spikes. This wasn’t just annoying; it was fatigue-stressing the rake’s main gearbox input shaft.
La solution : We upgraded the tractor-side connection to a Wide-Angle (CV) Joint. This allows smooth power transmission up to 80 degrees. The clicking stopped immediately. The operator could turn tighter and faster without disengaging the PTO, saving valuable time per hectare and protecting the gearbox.”
Technical Superiority: Engineered for Agility
Raking and tedding require a driveline that is flexible yet protected.
1. Wide-Angle (CV) Freedom
Dutch fields are often small and irregular, bordered by canals. Tight turns are inevitable. Our shafts feature Joints homocinétiques (CV) à 80°. This technology eliminates the “velocity fluctuation” (speed pulsing) that occurs with standard U-joints during turns, ensuring the rake rotors spin at a constant speed for a uniform windrow.
2. Ratchet Torque Limiters (The “Clicker”)
Rakes are prone to hitting obstacles—earth lumps, fence posts, or old tires on the silage clamp. We use Automatic Ratchet Clutches (SA Series). When torque exceeds the limit (e.g., rotor hits a mound), the clutch slips with an audible noise but re-engages automatically once the load drops. No shear bolts to replace, no stopping the tractor.
Matrice complète des paramètres techniques
Below are the engineered specifications for our “H-Rake” Series, optimized for grassland machinery.
| ID du paramètre | Attribut technique | Spécifications / Valeur |
|---|---|---|
| RKE-001 | Application | Rotary Rake / Tedder / Windrower |
| RKE-002 | Couple nominal (540 tr/min) | 400 Nm – 900 Nm |
| RKE-003 | Régime moteur maximal | 540 RPM (Standard) |
| RKE-004 | Profil du tube | Lemon Profile (Type L) or Triangular |
| RKE-005 | Revêtement de tube | Rilsan (Low Friction) – Optional |
| RKE-006 | Spline (Tracteur) | 1 3/8″ Z=6 (Standard) |
| RKE-007 | Spline (Implémenter) | 1 3/8″ Z=6 or Keyed Bore |
| RKE-008 | Grand angle (CV) | 80° (Tractor Side) |
| RKE-009 | Angle de travail | Max 35° (Continuous – non-CV) |
| RKE-010 | Taille du kit Cross | 27mm x 74.6mm (Size 4) / 30.2mm x 92mm (Size 5) |
| RKE-011 | Joint d'étanchéité de roulement | Double-Lip NBR (Dust Proof) |
| RKE-012 | Type de graisse | Complexe de lithium EP2 |
| RKE-013 | Matériau de protection | HDPE (Yellow) – UV Stabilized |
| RKE-014 | Certification de garde | CE / ISO 5674 |
| RKE-015 | Type d'embrayage | Ratchet Torque Limiter (SA) |
| RKE-016 | Réglage du couple | Factory Set: 400 – 1200 Nm |
| RKE-017 | Embrayage à roue libre | Available (For high inertia tedders) |
| RKE-018 | Matériau de l'étrier | Acier forgé C45 |
| RKE-019 | Finition de surface | Yellow Paint or Zinc Plated |
| RKE-020 | Longueur réduite | 810mm – 1210mm |
| RKE-021 | Extension maximale | +400mm |
| RKE-022 | Température de fonctionnement | -20°C to +50°C |
| RKE-023 | Poids | 12 kg – 22 kg |
| RKE-024 | Garantie | 1 an |
Client Success Story: The Tedder Solution
Client: Organic Dairy Farm, Utrecht
Défi: Using an 8-rotor tedder. The outer rotors were vibrating violently, and the PTO shaft connecting the tractor was overheating. The standard “Lemon” tube was twisting under the startup load of 8 rotors.
Solution EVER-POWER : We upgraded the main drive shaft to a Star Profile Tube (S4), which has 40% higher torsional rigidity. We also added an Overrunning Clutch (RL). The overrunning clutch allowed the heavy rotors to spin down freely when the tractor stopped, preventing the momentum from pushing the tractor forward.
Résultat: Vibration eliminated. Safer operation for the driver, and extended life for the tractor PTO brake.
Regional Relevance: Safety for the Lone Operator
Raking is often done by younger operators or seasonal help. Safety is non-negotiable.
Nos arbres comportent “Full-Coverage” Guarding that completely encloses the wide-angle joint. The guard cones are made from a flexible polymer that resists cracking if stepped on. We use robust anti-rotation chains with quick-clips to ensure the guard is always secured, meeting strict Dutch safety regulations.
Compatibilité des marques et mentions légales
We supply replacement drivelines compatible with major grassland machinery brands used in the Netherlands, such as Lely (AGCO), Kuhn, Claas, Krone, and Fella.
Clause de non-responsabilité: Les références aux fabricants d'équipement d'origine (OEM), tels que Walterscheid, Comer Industries, GKN, Bondioli & Pavesi ou Weasler, sont strictement réservées à des fins de référence technique et d'identification de compatibilité. EVER-POWER est un fabricant indépendant de pièces de rechange pour transmissions agricoles et industrielles. Nos produits ne sont ni sponsorisés, ni approuvés, ni fabriqués par les OEM mentionnés ci-dessus. Nous proposons des solutions de remplacement de haute qualité, conçues pour respecter, voire dépasser, les spécifications des OEM.
The Rotor Driver: Agricultural Gearboxes for Rakes
The PTO shaft gets the power to the machine, but the Boîte de vitesse distributes it to the rotors. In a rake or tedder, the gearbox network is complex, often involving a main splitter box and individual rotor drives.
EVER-POWER fabrique des produits spécialisés Bevel Gearboxes designed for grassland machinery:
1. Main Splitter Gearboxes
The central hub.
- T-Box Design: Splits the single PTO input into two lateral outputs for left and right wing drives.
- Couple élevé : Designed to handle the combined load of all rotors.
2. Rotor Drive Gearboxes (The Cam Track)
For rotary rakes.
- Sealed Cam Track: Our gearboxes often integrate the cam track mechanism (which lifts the tine arms). We use oil-bath lubrication for the cam rollers, ensuring smooth operation and long life compared to dry grease systems.
- Dust Sealed: Double-lip seals to keep fine grass dust and pollen out of the oil.
3. Tedder Gearboxes
For spreading grass.
- Compact & Light: Die-cast aluminum housings to keep the machine’s weight low, reducing soil compaction.
- Finger Drive: Specialized output shafts designed to mount the tine arms securely.
Synergie du système : A vibrating PTO shaft puts immense stress on the input bearings of the main splitter gearbox. Always inspect the gearbox input shaft for play. Sourcing a matched set (Shaft + Gearbox) from EVER-POWER ensures correct geometry and a unified warranty for your hay season.
Foire aux questions
No. Taping is illegal and unsafe. A spinning shaft can grab clothing instantly. We stock universal replacement guards that are easy to install. They fit most European profile tubes (Lemon/Triangular) and cost a fraction of a potential injury lawsuit.
It depends on your driving style. If you lift the rake and turn sharply at the headland while the PTO is running, yes, a Wide-Angle (CV) shaft is highly recommended to protect the gearbox. If you always disengage the PTO before turning, a standard shaft is sufficient.
We strongly advise against it. The ratchet clutch protects your rake’s expensive cam track and tine arms from bending if they hit the ground. Removing it saves money on the shaft but risks destroying the machine.
We offer next-day delivery for standard components to the northern Netherlands via our logistics partners. We know that when the sun shines, the grass must be cut.
