Zapfwelle für Woods Batwing-Rasenmäher BW240X, BW240XHD, BW1620X, BW2400X

Zuverlässige Zapfwelle für Woods Batwing-Mähermodelle

PTO Shaft for Woods Batwing Mower Model: BW240X, BW240XHD, BW1620X, BW2400X

CMN Transmission manufactures high-performance PTO shafts for Woods batwing mowers, engineered as a direct replacement of Weasler PTO shaft and replacement of Woods PTO shaft units. Available in Cat 4, Cat 5, and Cat 6 constant velocity configurations, our tractor PTO shaft assemblies support both 540 PTO shaft and 1000 PTO shaft speed ratings. Each shaft is precision-built to fit the BW240X, BW240XHD, BW1620X, and BW2400X models without adapters or modifications, delivering reliable torque transfer for demanding mowing operations across large acreage.

Whether you are maintaining 100-acre cattle pastures, clearing roadside vegetation, or shredding heavy crop residue after harvest, this batwing mower PTO shaft is designed to withstand the continuous, high-load cycling that flexwing mowers demand. The constant velocity joint design reduces vibration and extends component life, making it ideal for long operating hours. With multiple tractor PTO spline options (1.375"-6, 1.375"-21, and 1.750"-20), this agricultural PTO shaft fits a wide range of tractor makes and models, giving you flexibility across your fleet.

The original equipment is the Weasler PTO shaft. But we can make high-quality replacements for Weasler PTO shafts.

Technische Spezifikationen

Main Shaft Cat 4 / Cat 5 Constant Velocity

Available Configurations by Tractor PTO Spline

Features of PTO Drive Shaft for Woods Batwing Mower

1. Constant Velocity Joint Design
Unlike standard cross-joint PTO drive shafts, this shaft features a constant velocity (CV) joint that maintains a uniform rotational speed throughout the full range of operating angles. This eliminates the pulsation and vibration commonly found in conventional PTO driveline shaft assemblies, reducing stress on the mower gearbox and extending the service life of all connected drivetrain components during extended field operations.

2. Multiple Category Ratings
Available in Cat 4 (60 HP @ 540 RPM / 110 HP @ 1000 RPM), Cat 5 (90 HP @ 540 RPM / 170 HP @ 1000 RPM), and Cat 6 (110 HP @ 540 RPM / 184 HP @ 1000 RPM) ratings. This range of PTO shaft sizes ensures you can match the shaft to your tractor's horsepower output and the specific demands of your batwing mower, whether running at 540 or 1000 rpm PTO shaft speed.

3. Integrated Safety Shield
Every PTO shaft cover is included as a standard feature, not a paid add-on. The full-length safety shield rotates freely around the shaft during operation, protecting operators from the spinning driveline. The guard meets CE safety requirements and is constructed from impact-resistant material that will not crack or degrade under UV exposure, even after years of outdoor use in agricultural environments.

4. Direct-Fit Replacement
Engineered as a bolt-on replacement of Weasler PTO shaft and replacement of Woods PTO shaft assemblies. No shimming, no PTO shaft adapter required, and no modifications to the mower input shaft or the tractor PTO output. The PTO shaft yoke dimensions, spline profiles, and overall shaft length are matched to the OEM specification so the shaft slides straight on and locks into position.

5. Heavy-Duty PTO Shaft Tubing
The telescoping PTO shaft tube sections are manufactured from high-strength alloy steel with a precision-machined profile. This heavy duty PTO shaft tubing delivers superior torque capacity and resists deformation under peak loads. The lemon-profile or star-profile cross section provides a positive, low-backlash fit between the inner and outer tubes, ensuring smooth telescoping action and consistent power delivery across the full stroke range.

6. Flexible Spline Configurations
This tractor PTO drive shaft is offered with three different tractor-side spline profiles: 1.375"-6 spline, 1.375"-21 spline, and 1.750"-20 spline. This covers the vast majority of North American, European, and Asian utility and row crop tractors used with batwing mowers, allowing you to order a single custom PTO shaft that matches your exact tractor without aftermarket spline adapters.

Tractor PTO Shaft Parts

• Tractor-Side Yoke
  The tractor-side PTO shaft yoke is the forged steel coupling that slides onto the tractor's PTO output spline. It features a spring-loaded locking collar that snaps into the detent groove on the PTO stub, providing a secure connection that can be released quickly for disconnection. The yoke bore is precision-broached to match one of three spline profiles (1.375"-6, 1.375"-21, or 1.750"-20).
• Universal Joints (U-Joints)
  Each PTO shaft universal joint consists of a precision-machined cross with four needle bearing caps. These bearings allow the shaft to transmit torque through an angular offset between the tractor and the implement. High-quality needle bearings with grease-sealed caps ensure long service life. Each PTO shaft u joint should be re-greased at regular intervals to maintain performance and prevent premature failure.
• Constant Velocity (CV) Joint
  Located at the implement end, the CV joint is the defining feature of this PTO driveline shaft. Unlike a standard U-joint that produces speed variation at operating angles, the CV joint delivers a constant output speed. This is achieved through a double-cardan or ball-type mechanism that cancels out the inherent velocity fluctuation. This reduces gearbox wear and provides smoother cutting performance in your Woods batwing mower.
• Telescoping Profile Tubes
  The inner and outer PTO shaft tube sections are manufactured from precision-drawn alloy steel with a lemon or star cross-section profile. This profiled PTO shaft tubing prevents relative rotation between the tubes while allowing smooth axial sliding. The tubes accommodate changes in distance between the tractor PTO and the mower input during turns, terrain changes, and three-point hitch adjustments.
• Safety Shield Assembly
  The PTO shaft cover consists of two telescoping plastic guard tubes with bearing-mounted end caps, plus restraining chains that attach to the tractor and implement. The shield is designed to remain stationary while the shaft spins inside it, protecting the operator from contact with the rotating driveline. Replacement shields and chains are available as PTO shaft parts and should be replaced immediately if cracked, missing, or not rotating freely.
• Overload Protection Device
  Depending on your configuration, this shaft can include a shear bolt PTO shaft or a PTO shaft with slip clutch mechanism. The PTO shaft shear bolt is a sacrificial fastener that breaks under a predetermined torque load, disconnecting the driveline to protect the gearbox. The slip clutch PTO shaft option uses a spring-loaded friction plate assembly that allows the shaft to slip momentarily under overload and then re-engage automatically.

How Does the PTO Drive Shaft for Batwing Mower Work

A PTO shaft (Power Take-Off shaft) is the mechanical link between a tractor's power source and a towed or mounted implement such as a batwing mower. The tractor engine generates rotational power, which is transmitted through the tractor's internal transmission to a splined output stub at the rear of the tractor. This tractor PTO shaft assembly connects to that stub and transfers the rotational energy forward to the mower's input driveline.

At the tractor end, a splined PTO shaft yoke slides over the tractor's PTO output and is secured with a locking mechanism. This yoke connects to the first PTO shaft universal joint, which allows the shaft to operate at an angle relative to the tractor's centerline. The universal joint is a cross-and-bearing assembly that permits rotational motion to be transmitted through a changing angle as the tractor and mower move independently over uneven terrain.

The center section of the shaft consists of telescoping PTO shaft tubing with a profiled cross section (typically lemon or star shaped). As the tractor turns or the mower wings fold, the distance between the tractor PTO and the mower input changes. The telescoping tubes slide in and out to accommodate this change in length while continuing to transmit full torque. This is critical for batwing mower applications because the three-section cutting deck creates significant geometry changes during turns and transport.

At the implement end, a second PTO shaft u joint connects the shaft to the mower's gearbox input. In the case of this Woods batwing mower PTO shaft, the implement end features a constant velocity (CV) joint instead of a standard U-joint. The CV joint maintains a uniform output speed regardless of operating angle, eliminating the twice-per-revolution speed fluctuation inherent in single U-joint designs. This is particularly important for batwing mowers, where the three gearbox units on the center and wing decks require smooth, vibration-free input to avoid premature gear wear.

During operation, the tractor PTO spins at either 540 RPM or 1000 RPM depending on the tractor configuration. This rotational speed is carried through the shaft assembly at full torque to the mower gearbox, which then distributes power to the cutting blades via internal bevel gears. Overload protection can be integrated through a PTO shaft shear bolt or slip clutch PTO shaft mechanism, which will disengage or break under excessive load to protect both the shaft and the gearbox from damage caused by striking solid objects like rocks, stumps, or buried debris.

Applications of Batwing Mower PTO Shafts

1. Management von Ernterückständen
After grain harvest, batwing mowers equipped with this PTO drive shaft efficiently shred standing corn stalks, soybean stubble, and wheat straw across wide swaths. The 20-foot cutting width of the BW2400X, powered through this shaft at full rated torque, processes residue in a single pass, accelerating decomposition and preparing fields for the next planting cycle.

2. Weidemanagement
Cattle and livestock pastures require regular clipping to promote tender regrowth and control unpalatable weed species. This PTO shaft for batwing mower delivers consistent power to all three cutting decks simultaneously, allowing operators to mow 100+ acres per day. The constant velocity design ensures the mower operates smoothly even when traversing rolling pastureland with frequent terrain changes.

3. Rasenpflege
Airports, sod farms, recreational parks, and industrial grounds require precision grass height control over large areas. This tractor PTO shaft assembly provides the smooth, uninterrupted power delivery that wide-area mowing requires. By eliminating driveline vibration, it reduces blade chatter and produces a cleaner, more uniform cut across the entire mowing width of the batwing deck.

4. Zerkleinerung von Reihenkulturstängeln
Following cotton, corn, or sunflower harvest, standing stalks must be shredded to prevent pest harborage and facilitate tillage. This heavy duty PTO shaft handles the high-torque demand of chopping thick, fibrous stalks at ground level. The Cat 5 and Cat 6 options deliver up to 184 HP throughput at 1000 rpm PTO shaft speed, ensuring no stall-out even in dense stalk conditions.

5. Weed and Light Brush Control
CRP land, fence rows, and neglected field edges often develop dense weed growth and light brush. Woods batwing mowers paired with this agricultural PTO shaft can reclaim these areas in a single pass, cutting through saplings up to 2 inches in diameter. The overload protection options, including shear bolt PTO shaft and slip clutch PTO shaft designs, safeguard the driveline when hidden obstacles are encountered.

6. Kontrolle der Straßenrandvegetation
County highway departments and DOT contractors rely on batwing mowers for roadside ditch and shoulder maintenance. This PTO driveline shaft supports the continuous, high-hour operation these applications demand. The telescoping PTO shaft tube easily accommodates the geometry changes as the mower follows uneven ditch contours while the tractor maintains a straight path on the road surface.

7. Orchard and Vineyard Management
Between tree and vine rows, floor vegetation must be managed to reduce competition for nutrients and minimize pest habitat. While full-width batwing mowers are used on orchard access roads and perimeter areas, the smooth power delivery from this PTO shaft tractor connection minimizes vibration that could damage nearby irrigation lines or trellis supports. The ability to order a custom PTO shaft in the exact length and spline configuration needed makes it adaptable to specialized orchard tractor setups.

How to Install PTO Shaft on Your Woods Batwing Mower

Step 1: Safety Preparation.
Before beginning installation, park the tractor on level ground and engage the parking brake. Shut off the engine and remove the ignition key. Ensure the tractor PTO lever is in the disengaged or "OFF" position. If you are replacing an existing shaft, allow the driveline to come to a complete stop and cool down before handling any components. Wear heavy work gloves and safety glasses throughout the procedure.

Step 2: Remove the Old PTO Shaft.
If replacing an existing PTO shaft, disconnect the implement end first. Release the locking collar or pull-back latch on the PTO shaft yoke at the mower input. Slide the yoke off the mower's input shaft. Then, move to the tractor end and release the locking collar on the tractor-side yoke. Pull the yoke off the tractor PTO output stub. Support the shaft during removal to prevent it from dropping, as a fully assembled PTO drive shaft can weigh 50 to 80 pounds depending on the category rating.

Step 3: Verify the New Shaft Configuration.
Before installation, confirm that the new shaft matches your required specifications. Check the category rating (Cat 4, 5, or 6), the tractor-side spline profile (1.375"-6, 1.375"-21, or 1.750"-20), and the implement-side connection. Extend and retract the telescoping PTO shaft tubing to verify smooth operation. Inspect both PTO shaft universal joint assemblies and the CV joint for free movement and proper greasing. Confirm that the PTO shaft cover (safety shield) is in place and rotates freely.

Step 4: Set the Shaft Length.
Position the tractor approximately at the hitch point distance from the mower. Measure the distance between the tractor PTO output and the mower gearbox input. Extend the new shaft to match this distance. Ensure that in the fully compressed position (e.g., during tight turns), the inner and outer tubes maintain at least 6 inches of overlap. In the fully extended position (e.g., during transport), at least one-third of the tube profile should remain engaged. If necessary, the shaft can be cut to length following the manufacturer's guidelines for your specific PTO shaft sizes.

Step 5: Connect the Implement End.
Align the implement-side yoke with the mower's gearbox input shaft. Slide the yoke onto the splined input until the locking collar clicks into the detent groove. Verify that the collar is fully engaged and the yoke cannot be pulled off by hand. This connection point must be secure to prevent the shaft from separating during operation.

Step 6: Connect the Tractor End.
Pull back the locking collar on the tractor-side yoke, align the spline profile with the tractor PTO output stub, and slide the yoke on. Release the collar and verify it locks into position. Tug on the shaft to confirm positive engagement. If the shaft uses a PTO shaft shear bolt overload device, install the correct grade shear bolt at this time. If equipped with a PTO shaft with slip clutch, verify the clutch spring tension is set to the recommended value for your mower model.

Step 7: Final Check and Test.
Secure the PTO shaft cover chains to the tractor and mower to prevent the shield from rotating with the shaft. Start the tractor engine and slowly engage the PTO at low RPM. Listen for any unusual noise, vibration, or binding. Increase to operating RPM and confirm smooth operation. Check all locking collars again after the first five minutes of operation, and re-grease all PTO shaft u joint fittings after the initial break-in period of approximately 8 to 10 hours.

Common Troubleshooting for PTO Driveline Shafts

• Excessive Vibration During Operation
  If you notice increased vibration while the PTO is engaged, the most likely cause is worn PTO shaft universal joint bearings. Inspect each U-joint cross for play by gripping the yokes on either side of the joint and twisting. Any perceptible movement indicates bearing wear and the cross should be replaced. Other causes include a bent PTO shaft tube, misalignment between the tractor PTO and the mower input shaft, or debris trapped inside the telescoping tube profile. Remove the shaft, clean the profile tubes, re-grease, and check for straightness by rolling on a flat surface.
• Shaft Will Not Engage on the Tractor PTO
  If the tractor-side yoke will not slide onto the PTO output, verify that you have the correct spline configuration. A 1.375"-21 spline yoke will not fit a 1.375"-6 PTO output even though the outer diameter is the same. Also check for burrs or corrosion on the tractor PTO stub. Lightly file any raised material and apply anti-seize lubricant. If the locking collar will not engage, inspect the detent groove on the tractor PTO for wear or debris accumulation.
• Shear Bolt Breaks Repeatedly
  Frequent PTO shaft shear bolt failure indicates either an obstruction in the cutting path (rocks, stumps, or fence wire) or an underlying driveline problem. First clear the mowing area of debris. If the bolts continue to break under normal load, check for a seized U-joint, a locked-up mower gearbox bearing, or a blade that is binding against the deck. Never install a harder-grade bolt than specified, as this defeats the overload protection and transfers the failure to the gearbox.
• Telescoping Tubes Binding or Sticking
  If the inner and outer tubes do not slide freely, dirt and dried grease have likely built up inside the profile. Separate the tubes completely, clean both the inner and outer surfaces with a wire brush and solvent, inspect for scoring or corrosion, apply a thin coat of quality lithium grease to the entire profile surface, and reassemble. In severe cases, the tubes may need to be replaced as PTO shaft parts if the profile is worn beyond the service limit.
• Slip Clutch Not Re-Engaging
  If the slip clutch PTO shaft slips continuously and will not re-engage under normal load, the friction plates are worn or the clutch springs have lost tension. Disassemble the clutch housing, inspect the friction plate thickness against the minimum specification, and replace worn plates. Check the springs with a torque wrench and replace any that do not meet the specified pre-load. Reassemble and verify clutch engagement at the rated torque setting before returning to field operation.

CMN Transmission vs. Other PTO Shaft Brands