Posthole Digger POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM

   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #1  

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Hello, I purchased a used post hole digger from a dealer. The first time I went to use it I noticed that the PTO shaft was about 2 feet too short. The shaft is telescoping but won't budge. The shaft is also locked into the post hole digger gear housing and will not come out (the "button" which holds the shaft onto the PTO spline presses in but the shaft will not release from the spline). I called the dealer and he said that this sometimes happens and he will have to put it between two tractors to get the shaft to move. He said that it is probably rust that won't let go. Isn't the PTO shaft greased well enough to prevent this. My questions are Why does this happen? and is there any way to prevent it? Has this REALLY happened before?
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #2  
It could be rust, or it could be something else. When my rotary cutter was delivered, I couldn't get the shafts to slide apart. I had to use the tractor to get it to move. Once apart, I found out the shaft was bent. I'd be sure to take the plastic cover off and look it over if the dealer gets it apart.

--Brad
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #3  
Ron m,

Being how it is used it is hard to say how it was used and how well it was maintained. It would also depend on the dealer if they would go through the effort on used equipment. We have some that leave it lay and sell it that way. It is very possible it wasn't greased and rusted together. Pull it apart and inspect it and decide to grease it well, repair or replace. If it hasn't been greased be sure to check the U joints and gearbox.

Good luck,
Michael
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #4  
The auger end of the pto shaft should be placed on with a shear bolt/pin. If someone has used a steel bolt or it is one of the old ones that mounted onto the gearbox without protection your shaft may be twisted not allowing it to slide apart. Also I have seen shafts that have a safety crimp to stop it from just sliding apart as a safety feature to keep it from being over extended. These shafts are not one size fits all. Different tractors could require different pto lengths for the same implements. You have to use a punch and hammer to seperate them.
Do you know what brand of PHD you have?
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #5  
On some PTO to gearbox hookups theres also a set-screw (allen bolt) to hold the PTO shaft onto the gearbox shaft once the shear bolt goes. Look for that little bugger too.
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM #6  
I recently bought a used (over 25 years old) sickle mower. The PTO shaft was stuck and wouldn’t move in either direction. I managed to get it hooked up to the tractor by hooking up the PTO shaft without hooking the mower to the 3pt hitch. Then, I used the leverage of the 7’ cutter bar to yank the shaft apart. Once I had it apart I cleaned it with a wire brush and parts cleaning solvent (mineral spirits), greased it up good, and now it works great.
 
   / POST HOLE DIGGER PROBLEM
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thank you for all of the advise. I ended up getting the pto shaft apart. I used a hammer, alot of elbow grease and almost a can of Dura-Lube. It was really stuck on there. It took alot to slowly work it apart. I checked the shaft and it was nice and straight. When I took off the pto shaft plastic cover, there was ALOT of moisture in there that I am sure created the initial problem. I am still trying to get the pto shaft off of the PHD gear housing unit. I do not know what brand of PHD it is. It has a "button" type release for the shaft and although the button release is working, I am afraid that I will have to use the remaining can of Dura-Lube to slowly work it off. I will clean it up with a wire brush and mineral spirits and I am sure it will work fine. Part of the problem was that the person who owned it before me painted it with a brush and was a very messy painter. Paint actually got in the plastic pto shaft and acted like glue on the telescoping shaft inside. He tried to make it look good I guess. Needs a lesson in painting. I will be sandblasting the unit and will paint it up nice. Thank you again.
 
 
 
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