PTO Equipment Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries in Arkansas
In Arkansas’s agricultural and industrial communities, Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft accidents remain one of the most devastating and under-discussed threats on the job. These rotating shafts are used to transfer mechanical power from tractors to equipment. Developed in the 1920s, they have existed for decades, and so have the injuries. Despite advances in shielding and safety guidelines, PTO-related accidents continue to cause amputations, spinal trauma, and fatalities across the state.
Most Arkansas workers understand that farm and industrial machinery can be dangerous. But not everyone knows just how quickly a PTO shaft can pull a person in. Once contact is made — even just fabric brushing against an unshielded stub — there’s little time to react. And yet, PTOs are still being operated with missing or damaged guards, outdated equipment, and little awareness of the risks.
Industries and Workers Most Affected by PTO Accidents
PTO shafts are used extensively in farming, landscaping, and heavy industrial work — all major parts of Arkansas’s workforce. Tractor-mounted mowers, augers, balers, feed grinders, and sprayers often rely on PTO connections. When that machinery is used without proper shielding or when safety steps are skipped, the results can be life-changing.
Some of the most common causes of PTO injuries include:
- Clothing caught in rotating shafts.
- Broken or missing shaft shields.
- Exposed universal joints or connection pins.
- Stepping over or working near an active shaft.
- Improper hitching between tractor and implement.
- Shaft separation during operation, causing the driveline to swing or detach.
And while OSHA guidelines and equipment manuals often cover the basics of safety, they’re not always followed, especially when machinery is shared, retrofitted, or poorly maintained.
After a PTO Accident: What Are Your Legal Options?
In Arkansas, many injured workers initially turn to workers’ compensation — and that’s often the right first step. Workers’ comp is designed to provide medical care, partial wage replacement, and other benefits without needing to prove fault. However, the benefits are limited, and they often don’t fully reflect the long-term costs of a PTO-related injury.
There are situations where a third-party claim may also apply. These cases can result in additional compensation for pain and suffering, future lost earnings, and long-term care damages that aren’t covered by workers’ comp.
Here are some examples of when a third-party claim may be appropriate:
- Defective Equipment: If a shield or safety component failed due to poor design or manufacturing.
- Improper Maintenance: If a company or contractor failed to inspect or repair hazardous machinery.
- Negligent Operation: If another worker or employer knowingly operated unsafe equipment near others.
- Rental Equipment: If a farm or business leased equipment that was defective or dangerously altered.
In these cases, the legal process becomes more complex, but the potential recovery may be far more substantial.
What Injured Workers Should Do Next
PTO injuries happen fast, and the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical care often comes first, but taking the right steps early can also protect your legal rights.
Here are the key actions workers should take after a PTO accident:
- Report the Injury Immediately: Notify a supervisor or employer and request that the injury be documented in writing.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Even if the injury seems manageable, early care creates a clear medical record.
- Preserve the Evidence: If possible, take photos of the equipment, clothing, or surroundings.
- Identify Witnesses: Make note of anyone nearby who saw the incident or the condition of the equipment.
- Avoid Altering Equipment: Do not attempt to fix or remove damaged machinery before it can be inspected.
These steps not only help with a workers’ compensation claim, they also lay the groundwork if third-party liability is later discovered. A qualified attorney can help ensure the right evidence is preserved and the strongest possible case is built.
PTO Safety Practices: Why Prevention Matters — But Blame Doesn’t
Working around PTO-driven machinery requires constant attention to safety. Arkansas farmers and industrial workers are often trained to follow strict protocols when operating or maintaining equipment. And many do everything right, only to be seriously injured anyway.
The truth is, even well-trained, cautious workers can be hurt by faulty shielding, aging machinery, or equipment that was never safe to begin with. PTO accidents are rarely the fault of the person injured. More often, the real problem lies in poor equipment maintenance, missing safeguards, or employers pushing workers to rush through dangerous tasks.
Still, good safety practices can reduce exposure to risk. These are some of the most important steps workers are taught to follow, as suggested by the National Ag Safety Database:
- Always Disengage The PTO, Shut Off the Engine, And Remove the Key Before Dismounting: This keeps the equipment from being restarted during maintenance and prevents accidental entanglement.
- Keep The Master Shield in Place at All Times: It should only be removed when absolutely necessary — and only if the replacement equipment includes equivalent protection.
- Check PTO Driveline Shields Regularly: When the PTO is off, rotate the shields by hand to ensure they’re not stuck to the shaft. If they don’t spin freely, they may fail to protect you when it matters.
- Never Modify the Driveline Shield to Make Connections or Maintenance Easier: Drilling into or cutting the shield compromises its integrity and puts the operator at serious risk. Shields exist for a reason.
- Walk Around — Not Over — Any Rotating PTO Shaft: Even if the shaft is shielded, loose clothing or shoelaces can catch in a second. The safest route is always the longer one.
- Use the Correct Driveline for Each Machine: Swapping parts between equipment may save time, but it introduces a risk that no worker should have to accept.
- Operate With Care to Protect the Shaft: Avoid sharp turns that can pinch the driveline, keep telescoping movements minimal, and don’t overtighten slip clutches. These steps reduce mechanical stress and lower the chance of sudden failure.
- Wear Snug, Secure Clothing: Loose jackets, hoodie strings, or untied laces can spell disaster. Work boots without laces and fitted garments offer an extra layer of safety.
Even when all of these measures are followed, equipment failures still happen, and when they do, workers often pay the price. That’s why it’s so important to treat PTO accidents not as personal mistakes, but as serious mechanical failures or preventable workplace hazards.
If a PTO shaft caused an injury because of poor maintenance, missing guards, or defective design, that’s not on the person who got hurt. It’s a failure of the system, and in Arkansas, the law provides options for holding the right parties accountable.
Don’t Wait to Get Legal Help After an Accident
Legal deadlines apply to injury claims in Arkansas. Waiting too long to speak with an attorney could mean losing access to key evidence — or worse, missing the statute of limitations entirely. And when equipment manufacturers or employers are involved, their legal teams will move quickly to protect themselves.
If you or someone you love suffered a serious PTO injury in Arkansas, now is the time to get answers. At McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, our lawyers have represented clients in cases involving defective farm machinery, missing PTO guards, and unsafe industrial equipment — and we know what it takes to hold negligent companies accountable.
Our law firm has the resources to investigate, consult with mechanical experts, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no cost to talk, and no fee unless we win your case.
“My experience with McDaniel Law Firm was very professional. Brett, in particular, was exceptionally helpful and thorough. He was able to get me the maximum settlement after I’d experienced a horrific wreck. I am so thankful that he was able to do all the background work for me and within a reasonable timeframe. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer that values getting the client what they need. After working with McDaniel, I left without the worry of paying for medical bills that were brought on after the wreck. They made my experience easy and less stressful.” – Bri P., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐