Rotary Cutter Bush Hog driveline won't lock onto PTO

[RobA]

Tried to hook up my Bush Hog 286 rotary cutter today and could not get the driveline to lock onto the PTO. I had no problem lining it up and sliding it on the PTO but could not get it past the first 1 inch or so. I was able to push the collar foward wich should have allowed the ball bearings to retact and let the driveline slide all the way onto the PTO and lock on. What am I doing wrong!?!? I added grease and sprayed the driveline with WD40 to help. I also tried to attach my post hole digger and had no problems.

The Bush Hog has not been used in about 4 months. Any ideas?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Tried to hook up my Bush Hog 286 rotary cutter today and could not get the driveline to lock onto the PTO. I had no problem lining it up and sliding it on the PTO but could not get it past the first 1 inch or so. I was able to push the collar foward wich should have allowed the ball bearings to retact and let the driveline slide all the way onto the PTO and lock on. What am I doing wrong!?!? I added grease and sprayed the driveline with WD40 to help. I also tried to attach my post hole digger and had no problems.

The Bush Hog has not been used in about 4 months. Any ideas?

I've got a 286 Bush Hog too. PTO shaft locking collar can be a little obstinant after sitting a while. There's two moving collars. Try moving the one that is closest to the tractor. Move it rearward and leave the second collar where it normally sits. Push shaft forward and release that front collar. It should "click" in place. Make certain the shaft is going far enough forward to engage in the detent. Move the telescoping part of the shaft back and forth a good bit farther than normally needed to make certain it's extending freely.

 

[DaddyRabbit]

LOL, I have the same Bush Hog that you do and had the same problem bite me in the arse. You must pull back the silver collar at the end of the drive shaft that slides on the PTO 1st. I was trying to work w/the plastic portion and was going no where fast. It is a very snug fit and requires some "Oomph" but its doable.

Tried to hook up my Bush Hog 286 rotary cutter today and could not get the driveline to lock onto the PTO. I had no problem lining it up and sliding it on the PTO but could not get it past the first 1 inch or so. I was able to push the collar foward wich should have allowed the ball bearings to retact and let the driveline slide all the way onto the PTO and lock on. What am I doing wrong!?!? I added grease and sprayed the driveline with WD40 to help. I also tried to attach my post hole digger and had no problems.

The Bush Hog has not been used in about 4 months. Any ideas?

 

[Z-Michigan]

This may or may not be an issue, but the PTO coupler clearances can be really tight, and the grease you added could actually be making things worse. I would try to remove all the grease and have the coupler and PTO shaft as clean as possible. The WD40 or another thin oil shouldn't cause a problem.

 

[dweitzel]

Tried to hook up my Bush Hog 286 rotary cutter today and could not get the driveline to lock onto the PTO. I had no problem lining it up and sliding it on the PTO but could not get it past the first 1 inch or so. I was able to push the collar foward wich should have allowed the ball bearings to retact and let the driveline slide all the way onto the PTO and lock on. What am I doing wrong!?!? I added grease and sprayed the driveline with WD40 to help. I also tried to attach my post hole digger and had no problems.

The Bush Hog has not been used in about 4 months. Any ideas?

I've had the same thing happen several times with my woods bb60 while it's sitting all the way on the ground. Try lifting the 3-point up a little to give you a straighter shot on the pto after hooking up the cutter to the 3-point hitch. Not sure why it binds, but this helped me out several times.

 

[RobA]

LOL, I have the same Bush Hog that you do and had the same problem bite me in the arse. You must pull back the silver collar at the end of the drive shaft that slides on the PTO 1st. I was trying to work w/the plastic portion and was going no where fast. It is a very snug fit and requires some "Oomph" but its doable.

Boy do I feel stupid!! I was absolutely sure you had to push the collar forward. Struggled with it for a while yesterday then gave up. Went back ths morning and pulled the silver collar back instead of pushing foward and it slid right on.

Amazing how easily things work when you do them properly. I know I'm new to this but I'm a little embarassed about this one. Thanks for the help.

 

[DaddyRabbit]

At least you didn't go back to the dealer w/a portion of the drive shaft in hand to be checked out. I worked as hard as I ever have trying to get the PTO on mine and I just flat gave up after a couple of hours. I thought if its this hard going on I may never get it off. I handed it to the service guy and he was inspecting it when I saw him move the silver collar I thought to myself, "^%#@". I kindly removed it from his hands and exited the building w/no whatsoever pride left about me.

Boy do I feel stupid!! I was absolutely sure you had to push the collar forward. Struggled with it for a while yesterday then gave up. Went back ths morning and pulled the silver collar back instead of pushing foward and it slid right on.

Amazing how easily things work when you do them properly. I know I'm new to this but I'm a little embarassed about this one. Thanks for the help.

 

[RobA]

At least you didn't go back to the dealer w/a portion of the drive shaft in hand to be checked out. I worked as hard as I ever have trying to get the PTO on mine and I just flat gave up after a couple of hours. I thought if its this hard going on I may never get it off. I handed it to the service guy and he was inspecting it when I saw him move the silver collar I thought to myself, "^%#@". I kindly removed it from his hands and exited the building w/no whatsoever pride left about me.

Good story. Fortunately I got to learn from your experience. That's what makes this website so good.