7000 series PTO tachometer

The 1970-80s series 2 & 3 conventional Gleaners used a rotational rpm sensor system on their threshing cylinders that allowed for either a mechanical tachometer gauge (series 2) or digital readout tachometer (series 3). Maybe a guy could try installing those Gleaner components onto a 7000 series PTO shaft? Perhaps the pto’s 540/1000 configuration bolts might offer a pattern to fabricate a fit for the Gleaner’s magnetic? Cylinder shaft ring?? Then the Gleaner’s simple electrical pickup sensor is mounted to the pto’s housing within close proximity to the magnetic “tone” ring? Think the Gleaner’s cab’s upper console rpm selector/gauge & wiring should suffice the rest?
So if a successful trip to a good combine salvage yard could produce some unchewed mouse console selector/garage & cyl shaft components, along with a Gleaner parts wire-color schematics(agcopartsbook.com), & a guy might be able to have a tractor pto readout on the cheap?
If that happens, then maybe a guy could also hookup the 7060’s fuel sending unit (or the gleaner’s fuel sending unit plumbed into the 7060’s tank) into that same console/gauge display for either mechanic or digital fuel readouts too?? Gotta dream ~ right?

Edited by AC7060IL - 21 Jun 2026 at 6:11am

After thinking about this for a while I think I will set something up on the baler. I don't like having another wire in the same area as a rotating shaft, but I have enough parts ordered to put speed sensors on each baler, and I am getting all the tractors set up with the same power strip and monitor mounts, so it isn't difficult to switch things from tractor to tractor. And I'm not sure that any one of them has an accurate tachometer, not that it matters much most of the time. Balers run 93 strokes/minute at 540, in even hay when the baler is full I usually run up to about 100, light dry hay I drop down into the 80-85 range. This is more for middle of the night tired when it is easy to not pay attention to how far you pushed the throttle after a turn, especially on the 1000 PTO. Thank you to everyone that gave this some thought.

Ted

Nothing like deciding to do it differently and ordering more parts to get the thought process working. I had already ordered the cheapo tachs(3 of them, I think the only difference is the color of the display) and some extra sensors and after deciding to just put it on the baler I ordered a spool of three conductor shielded wire and some three pin Deutsch connectors(about the same money as the tachs and sensors). While working on other things today I realized I don't need a lot of teeth on a tone wheel, as long as the tach can be programmed for that amount. I can take the stub out and weld four pieces of keystock equally spaced around it, and probably drill a hole in the shield to poke the sensor through. I'm still going to mount a sensor on each baler, but I may try to make one work on the PTO too. One tractor already has the stub out, so I'm partway there.

Ted

Edited by TedN - 21 Jun 2026 at 5:15pm

There is a bit of spline exposed, but I think it would be too close to the part that is solid round to get a sensor to see the difference.

Ted

The optical tape may work, but if I put the keystock on the outer stub surface it will be in about the same place no matter which way it is in, so it could be used running either the 540 or 1000 PTO. I do appreciate the thinking though.

Ted

I don't think it complicates it much, and it actually makes it easier to have it measure the speed for either shaft. If I was doing the same project on one of the 4430s I'm really unsure how I would do it. That is part of the reason I decided to just go with a baler mounted setup, thinking I will put the sensor on the knotter drive gear as it has to be in time with the baler. But I am still thinking I will at least attempt one on one of the tractors.
I also liked the idea of using Gleaner parts to have a PTO tach as part of the dash, but if you search combine salvage yards in the 98837 zip code area you come up with a tractor salvage yard and a heavy equipment salvage yard. I know Walter in Odessa has some salvage machines, so maybe I will try to take a look sometime. Doesn't need to have the Gleaner tone ring, just the same amount of triggers as the Gleaner part. I imagine somebody with a water jet could cut out a piece that could either be bolted on or welded to the perimeter.
Again thank you for the thought process.

Ted

I looked back through the auction pictures and found one that shows the PTO fairly well then cropped it down and added some scribbles to it to show what I think might work. The blue dots are where the keystock will be welded on, and the red represents where the sensor could be mounted. This is the 7030 I purchased at auction last week, and it will probably be the first tractor I try this on. I will need to check the clearance to be sure there is no interference. I bought a pile of mounting brackets with the tachs and sensors, so I should have something that will work. If not I can build something. I think it will be easier than I thought it would be now that I have thought it out for a couple days.


Ted