PTO Shaft for John Deere Square Balers

Rated Power

35 HP

@ 540 RPM

Yoke Size

1-3/8″

6-spline, female, dual

Slip Clutch

1-3/8″

6-spline overload protection

Input Shaft

1.750″

-6 profile, standard output

Joint Type

CV

Constant velocity, two-piece

Tractor Category

CAT5/6

Both configurations stocked

⚙  Constant Velocity Joint for Smooth Headland Performance

Standard cardan-only PTO shafts produce second-order vibration when the tractor and baler are not in a straight line — which describes virtually every headland turn in UK field conditions. The CV joint in this shaft maintains perfectly uniform output speed regardless of the operating angle, eliminating the pulsing that accelerates wear in the baler’s input gearbox and knotter mechanism. Operators who switch from a non-CV shaft to this assembly frequently report a marked reduction in knotter malfunctions during tight-turning field operations.

🛡  Precision-Calibrated Slip Clutch for Gearbox Protection

The slip clutch on this shaft is set to disengage before a torque spike can cause internal damage to the baler’s input gearbox — a costly repair whether you’re farming in Norfolk or Ayrshire. The friction disc pack is calibrated specifically for the torque range of John Deere square baler input shafts, which means it protects without unnecessary false-trips during normal slug-feeding conditions. Replacement friction disc kits are available separately, allowing the clutch body to be rebuilt without replacing the entire shaft assembly.

🔨  Telescopic Tube for Fleet Flexibility

The implement-side driveline section features a sliding, splined telescopic tube that adjusts to varying hitch-to-input distances across different tractor models and baler configurations. This matters when a single contractor runs, say, a John Deere 6130R and a 6215R paired with the same baler — the same shaft covers both setups without modification. The sliding section incorporates a grease nipple for field lubrication and the internal tube profile is machined to H7 tolerance to prevent stick-slip under load.

🔒  Full-Coverage Safety Shield, Tool-Free Service

The outer shield assembly is co-rotating with the driveline profile and remains stationary from the operator’s perspective, preventing entanglement hazards. Shield retention brackets are designed for tool-free removal during maintenance, which reduces the temptation to operate with shields removed during a quick grease-up at the field headland. UV-stabilised HDPE construction means the shield remains serviceable through multiple UK harvest seasons without becoming brittle or discoloured.

Power Path Through the Driveline

Rotation originates at the tractor’s PTO output stub shaft turning at 540 RPM. It passes through the CV joint assembly — which handles articulation at the tractor hitch point — into the splined telescopic tube section. The inner and outer profile of the tube telescope under load while transmitting torque continuously. Power exits via the implement-side universal joint into the baler’s input gearbox, which converts the continuous rotation into the high-force reciprocating motion of the bale chamber plunger. The slip clutch sits between the tractor yoke and the first universal joint, acting as the sacrificial break-point in the event of an overload shock. The entire system is designed so that mechanical failures always occur at the cheapest, easiest-to-replace component.

Material Breakdown

Driveline tubes are cold-drawn, high-yield carbon steel with internal spline profiles precision-machined to ISO tolerance. Universal joint cross-kits use forged alloy steel, case-hardened, with needle-roller bearing assemblies pre-packed with lithium-complex grease at assembly and accessed for re-lubrication through standard grease nipples. CV joint bell housings are investment-cast nodular iron for dimensional stability under cyclic bending loads. Yoke forgings are drop-forged medium-carbon steel, phosphate-treated and coated before assembly. External shield cones are UV-stabilised HDPE, rated for extended outdoor service in the variable UK climate.

Cereal Straw Baling
East Midlands & East Anglia

Hay Production for Livestock
Wales & Northern England

Multi-Machine Contracting
Yorkshire & Scotland

Dealer Parts Inventory
Agricultural Merchants UK-wide

★★★★★

“Ordered shafts for our John Deere 348 and 458 balers. Both fitted straight on, no faffing about with adapters. We’ve run them through wheat and barley straw with no problems at all. The slip clutch already saved us once when a piece of baler twine got wound into the mechanism — shaft slipped and nothing downstream was damaged. Good build quality and the pricing makes sense for what you’re getting.”

— James T., Farm Manager, Norfolk, England

★★★★★

“We’re a machinery dealer in North Yorkshire and we stock these as our standard John Deere baler shaft replacement. The part number chart makes cross-referencing easy — our counter staff can use it without needing to call the back office. No warranty returns since we switched to this supplier. The price is competitive enough that we can hold margin and still sit below OEM dealer pricing, which our farmers notice and appreciate.”

— Richard M., Parts Manager, Agricultural Dealer, North Yorkshire, UK

★★★★★

“Mixed farm in Shropshire — we run a John Deere square baler for hay and straw. The original shaft had done four seasons and was starting to feel rough through the CV. Replaced it with this and the difference was immediate; the vibration through the tractor seat on headland turns is noticeably reduced. The adjustable length made fitting easy on our hitch geometry. Solid product.”

— Catherine H., Farm Owner, Shropshire, UK

✅  Custom Length & Spline Profile

Made-to-drawing collapsed and extended dimensions for any tractor–baler hitch combination

✅  Torque-Specific Clutch Setting

Slip threshold set to your implement’s rated maximum input torque at time of assembly

✅  Private Label for UK Dealers

White-label packaging and parts numbering available for dealer stock programmes

✅  DDP Shipping to UK Ports

Tiered volume pricing with all duties and freight included in the landed cost

Agricultural PTO Gearboxes

Right-angle and in-line ratio gearboxes for mowers, spreaders, and balers. Custom ratios available for UK dealer programmes.

Standard Cardan PTO Shafts

Series 4 through 8 for tractors from 18 HP to 200+ HP, covering the full range of UK-used tractor-mounted implements.

PTO Shaft Shield Replacement Sets

HDPE cone and outer tube shields for series 4–7 shafts. UV-stabilised for extended outdoor service in UK conditions.

Universal Joint Cross Kits

Individual UJ cross kits for in-field replacement. Forged alloy steel, pre-greased needle roller bearings, snap-ring installation.

Friction Disc Slip Clutch Assemblies

Standalone friction clutch units for 1-3/8″ and 1-3/4″ shafts. Field-adjustable spring tension without specialist tools.

For John Deere square balers — including the 328, 338, 348, 458, and similar models — the correct specification is a 5-series CV PTO shaft rated at 35 HP at 540 RPM, with dual female 1-3/8″ x 6-spline yokes and a matching slip clutch. This is the Weasler 35N CV specification. For UK arable farms where straw volume and machine output rates are high, the CV joint is particularly important because it eliminates vibration during headland turns. Our CAT5 and CAT6 variants cover the most common tractor output shaft profiles used in the UK with these baler models.

CAT5 covers the standard 1-3/8″ x 6-spline tractor PTO output stub shaft — the spline tip circle measures approximately 34.9 mm across. CAT6 covers the larger 1-3/4″ x 6-spline output found on heavier tractors, with a tip circle of approximately 44.5 mm. Measure your tractor’s PTO stub shaft with a vernier, or check the tractor’s operating manual, which will state the PTO output shaft category. If you’re ordering for a dealer stock without knowing the end tractor, holding both CAT5 and CAT6 is the standard approach.

UK agricultural dealers and parts distributors can contact us directly at [email protected] for stocking programme pricing on John Deere square baler PTO shafts. We supply on DDP terms to UK delivery addresses, so there are no additional import or customs fees to factor in. We offer tiered pricing from small stocking quantities up to container volume, and samples can be supplied before any commitment to a volume order. Private-label programmes for dealers wanting to stock under their own part numbers are also available on request.

Cost varies depending on whether you need a complete CV assembly or only a half-shaft replacement, the tractor category (CAT5 or CAT6), and the order quantity. OEM parts through John Deere dealer channels in the UK carry a premium for the brand association. Our aftermarket equivalent is produced to the same dimensional and material specification at a meaningfully lower price point — contact us at [email protected] for a current quote, as pricing reflects live material and logistics costs.

Replace the slip clutch if it slips under a normal working load — indicating worn-down friction discs — or if it fails to slip during a clear overload event, which suggests corrosion or seizure in the disc pack. Visual warning signs include heat discolouration around the clutch housing, a burnt smell after a heavy slug feed, scoring on the friction faces, or uneven spring compression when the clutch is disassembled. For UK commercial baling operations, inspecting the clutch pack at the start and end of each season and replacing the friction disc set every two to three seasons is considered good maintenance practice.

Yes — custom-length John Deere square baler PTO shafts are produced to your specified collapsed and extended dimensions, along with any non-standard yoke or clutch specification you require. Single-unit custom orders are accepted for evaluation purposes at commercial unit pricing. For UK dealer programmes or OEM supply with higher volumes, tooling costs are amortised across the order quantity. Send your required specification or a dimensioned sketch to [email protected] and we will confirm feasibility, pricing, and lead time within 48 hours of receipt.

For complete CV assembly replacements of the Weasler 35N CV, use 14503548 (CAT5) or 14505548 (CAT6). For the shielded half-shaft, reference 19503506 (CAT5) or 19505506 (CAT6). For Walterscheid half-shaft equivalents, use 4GZM139 (CAT5) or 4GYM140 (CAT6) for the first profile group. Alternative configurations are shown in the part number chart above. If you’re working from an existing shaft without a visible part number, send us a photograph of both yoke ends and the clutch assembly — we will identify the correct replacement and confirm availability before you place an order.