DRIVELINE SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING AN ON-VEHICLE PTO SHAFT TO ON-VEHICLE AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES EQUIPPED THEREWITH

A driveline system for connecting an on-vehicle PTO shaft to on-vehicle auxiliary equipment installed on a vehicle. The driveline system is adapted for mounting to an undercarriage of a vehicle that includes a transmission, a PTO shaft connected to the transmission near a forward end of the transmission, and auxiliary equipment mounted to the undercarriage aft of the transmission. The driveline system includes a first shaft connected to the PTO shaft via a first U-joint, a second shaft connected to the auxiliary equipment via a second U-joint and to the first shaft via a third U-joint, a bearing installed on the first shaft for supporting the first and second shafts adjacent the third U-joint, and a bracket that is attached to the transmission rearward of the PTO shaft.