PTO Shaft lube ideas ????

[EddieWalker]

The hardest part of hooking up my mowers is getting the PTO Shaft to slide in and out. I probably made it worse by greasing it, but of the two mowers that I own, I only greased the one, and they are both a bear to get to slide in and out. With the rainy weather and muddy conditions, I want to clean them off and try something new.

What works for keeping them loose and easy to slide in and out?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin Eddie,
You might start by really cleaning everything off the PTO shaft. Then file any knicks or dings off of the OD and then wirebrush the splines real well. Then clean the female yokes the same way. Go get some graphite powder and coat the PTO with that along with the yokes. This wont pick up anywhere near the dirt that oil or grease will.

One more thing, after cleaning the PTO and yoke make sure they slide easily before going any further !

Good luck !

 

[Duffster]

..........

 

[LD1]

I grease mine, but not a heavy type grease like you use in your grease gun.

I use a light weigh lithium motor assembly grease. Usually comes in white tubes that are like an oversized tube of toothpaste. Lubriplate (sp) i think is the brand.

 

[pitt_md]

Are you having a hard time with the PTO shaft itself or attaching it to the tractor?

 

[greg_g]

Yeah, overgreasing can create more problems that it fixes - since it attracts and accumulates dirt/dust/chaff. Pulling the shaft apart, you obviously know that the inside shaft is the easiest to clean/lube. But if you don't do a good job on the inside of the outer shaft, all is for naught. I flush mine out with diesel fuel.

While they're separated (and the plastic housings are removed) use a long straightedge to determine if they're true. Both halves. If there's any curvature in them at all, no kind of lubricant is going to help

//greg//

 

[Egon]

Try some used UDT fluid.

 

[zzvyb6]

I now use the JD dry chain lube (in a spray can). There are 2 parts to the problem . One is the tractor end (keep it dry, nick-free and covered when not in use) and the many implement females with their many different types of keepers: pins, balls, plungers and twisting mechanisms. This includes having a hanger on the implement so the tractor end of the driveshaft does not lay in the dirt when not in use. A plastic bag can be used to cover the yoke, but they disappear after use. Same issues for the driveshaft. Greasing is great but a problem in cold weather and when it extends a lot during use as it can fill with dirt, chaff, moisture or oil. Keeping the friction clutches working and properly adjusted (I keep them "loose"), makes it unlikely that you will ever twist the spline on the tractor's shaft. I have seen it done from over loading and from the coupler not being completely on. Once this happens, attaching different shafts becomes a major headache.

 

[Soundguy]

The hardest part of hooking up my mowers is getting the PTO Shaft to slide in and out. I probably made it worse by greasing it, but of the two mowers that I own, I only greased the one, and they are both a bear to get to slide in and out. With the rainy weather and muddy conditions, I want to clean them off and try something new.

What works for keeping them loose and easy to slide in and out?

Thank you,
Eddie

My JD 1517 btwing mower has grease fittings on the telescoping side shafts.. so.. geasing them must not be too bad of an idea if JD did it.

I did clean mine down with a wire brush and diesel fuel to remove old dried grease and gunk..then cleaned with a towell. then hand geased the entire 'shrouded' portion of the shaft that telescopes.. then I just hit it with the grease gun before use.. etc..

seems to work fine for me.

soundguy

 

[jmc]

Eddie,

I've been experimenting with easier ways to hook up the PTO. As far as grease dragging on the extension of the shaft, it's proportional to the amount of overlap between the inner and outer shafts. So if you halve the amount of overlap, you halve the amount of force required to stretch the shaft when you're in "that awkward position". (don't cut off your shaft yet!) Lately, I've been squaring up the tractor with the implement, but instead of hooking up the 3PH, I pull the tractor straight forward a foot or so, (depending on how much overlap your PTO shaft has to begin with) attach the shaft to the tractor, and back straight up to connect the 3PH. This helps in two ways:

First, you have to stretch your PTO shaft to reach the tractor, which reduces the overlap and, therefore, the grease drag. Ideally, you would pull forward enough so the shaft is within a few inches of full extension when hooked up. And since you prealigned the tractor with the implement, there is no maneuvering required afterward, except backing straight up.

A secondary benefit is more room to work.

I've wondered if grease is preferred for the shafts because its viscosity may dampen torsional impact that would otherwise wear the shafts. (?)

Someday I'm going to mark the shaft housing for the right pre-extended position rather than just guess.

John