Chipper Trouble Connecting Bearcat to PTO

[RAMARSDEN]

I recently bought a used (barely) Bearcat chipper/shredder, model 70554 to use with my older Kubota 2550. The only other PTO tool I own is a Gearmore mower, which I can attach easily. To attach the female part of the shaft extension to the male PTO drive, there is a single button you depress allowing the spring-loaded ball to retract, so the male slides in and the ball snaps into the groove in the shaft. Works fine.

On the Bearcat, the shaft extension female end has a spring loaded metal ring, a black plastic or rubber ring surrounding the universal joint, and three retractable balls. All parts are clean and well greased, the ring can be easily depressed, but I can't get the female to slide on the shaft past the initial point of contact with the balls. It seems as if the balls are not retracting sufficiently to clear the path of the grooves in the male shaft. I've worn out my arms and shoulders trying to force it on, to no avail.

Anyone ever experience this problem? I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Randy Marsden, Aptos CA

 

[jpm1]

RAMARSDEN, when i put my new Farm King snowblower together, i had the same problem. The easiest way i found is move the tractor away from the chipper and pull the PTO shaft apart on the chipper. Sounds to me there is a little rust or dirt inside. I have several of the shafts you are talking about. Pull the lock ring back and look inside it with the lock retracted and see if the balls are all back, spray with some good penetrating oil, It doesn't take much. Put a little grease on the female side of the splines and pull up a chair and play with it a bit. You said the old mower shaft slides right on, well its got some wear on it. A little grease helps and after its been on and off a few times i'm sure it will work fine. . . .John

 

[RAMARSDEN]

John;
Thanks for the reply. The PTO shaft parts are virtually new, and slide together very easily, so it doesn't seem to me that that is the problem. I'm thinking it is the balls not being 'unlocked' enough to clear the grooves. I'm leaving town with the wife in a little while, and I'll take the shaft with me and show it to the guy at the tractor repair shop. Maybe he can let me attach it to one of his tractors and see at least once how it's supposed to work.

BTW, I'm gettin' older and the forces (muscles) required to attach even my mower shaft cause me a lot of shoulder strain. The angles you must work from can be very frustrating. I'm always surprised there wasn't some method developed that would allow use of a tool of some kind to apply some leverage.

Appreciate your help.

Randy

 

[nspec]

I have the same chipper, same problem. The shaft is fine. The lock and balls are fine. The problem is that the flywheel inside is so heavy, it makes it hard to turn. The pto shaft when properly aligned will slide right on without even touching the locking ring. Trick is getting it lined up. Get it lined up, slide it on, THEN pull the ring back to slide it on the rest of the way. Don't mess with thw ring at first. The trick then is to get the splines aligned.

I know I'll catch grief for this, but with everything turned off, I reach in the top of the chipper and rotate the flywheel just a little one way or the other while repeatedly trying to get the shaft to slide on. You only need to rotate a little bit because of the reduction. It stinks, but it eventually works. Single most difficult pto I've ever hooked up.

 

[JohninCT]

This issue has been discussed many times before. I think your problem is that you need to push the ring toward the end of the shaft and not pull it to hook it up.

 

[RoyJackson]

This issue has been discussed many times before. I think your problem is that you need to push the ring toward the end of the shaft and not pull it to hook it up.

One thing I've had to do with my Woods 5000 (same as the Bearcat chipper/shredder) is to slip the plastic ring towar the end of the drive shaft and pull the metallic ring back (toward the chipper)...then it slips right on.
It appears pulling the black ring toward the chipper doesn't move the metallic ring enough to loosen the sprngs holding the ball detents.

Seems like this is a common prolem with the Bearcat Chipper/Shredder, doesn't it?

 

[gwdixon]

I got so absolutely fed up with that PTO hook-up that I changed it out for the push-pin style. Take that half of your PTO shaft to a tractor dealer (Tractor Supply didn't have it) and tell them what you want.

I replaced the hook-up and U-joint for about $40. Worth every penny. While I did the disassembly/assembly in my shop, it may be easier for the dealer to press out and back in the bearings.

It is ridiculous to bend over for X-amount of time and try to get that d@mn connection to slide on. It is ineffective to try to push the ring on while pulling the ring back! Many swear words have been used - none have worked.

Another possibility that I just thought of would be to use a pin-type PTO shaft extension, mount the extension to the ring and then mount the extension to the tractor's PTO. It would effectively turn the shaft into a pin-type. You may have to shorten the PTO shaft a few inches.

http://www.agrisupply.com/pto-adapter-spline-male-spline-female-pto-adapter/p/11971/

 

[SPYDERLK]

John;
Thanks for the reply. The PTO shaft parts are virtually new, and slide together very easily, so it doesn't seem to me that that is the problem. I'm thinking it is the balls not being 'unlocked' enough to clear the grooves. I'm leaving town with the wife in a little while, and I'll take the shaft with me and show it to the guy at the tractor repair shop. Maybe he can let me attach it to one of his tractors and see at least once how it's supposed to work.

BTW, I'm gettin' older and the forces (muscles) required to attach even my mower shaft cause me a lot of shoulder strain. The angles you must work from can be very frustrating. I'm always surprised there wasn't some method developed that would allow use of a tool of some kind to apply some leverage.

Appreciate your help.

Randy

When they give me trouble I find its because Im not holding the ring back far enuf as I try to push it on. Holding back with one hand while pushing the coupling with the other doesnt work well because the actions fight one another. Try consolidating the forces. Use both hands to squeeze the ring back - fingers on ring - thumbs on coupling. Then, while holding it squeezed just push it on. It may be that the guard bell prevents you from doing this. Maybe you can cut away a small amount of the belled out portion so you can get appropriate purchase.
larry

 

[jbrumberg]

I have had occassional problems with attaching and locking the slip ring on my RC's PTO shaft to the PTO shaft as well. Alignment is critical to ease of attachment. I agree with nspec.

"BTW, I'm gettin' older and the forces (muscles) required to attach even my mower shaft cause me a lot of shoulder strain. The angles you must work from can be very frustrating. I'm always surprised there wasn't some method developed that would allow use of a tool of some kind to apply some leverage." Sadly I agree.

 

[RoyJackson]

Another possibility that I just thought of would be to use a pin-type PTO shaft extension, mount the extension to the ring and then mount the extension to the tractor's PTO. It would effectively turn the shaft into a pin-type. You may have to shorten the PTO shaft a few inches.

Pto Adapter 1-3/8 X6 Spline Male X 1-3/8X6 Spline Female Pto Adapter

That's exactly what I did, BTW. I had to use an extension (adapter is what Agr-Supply calls them) since I had the Pat's Easy Change and we all know how short the Bearcat Chipper's PTO driveshaft is....which necessitated that extra 4" length of the adapter.

Good thinking, gwdixon!