PTO yoke won't slide on

[tony83]

I'm trying to hook up my finish mower yesterday. It was attached to the tractor by the dealer when I bought it. I disconnected it once, and this is the first time I am trying to hook it up (second time attached to tractor ever). The PTO shaft yoke (tractor-end) has this plastic sliding collar instead of the metal push button. The collar retracts three bearing balls within the yoke that allow it to slide over the tractor PTO shaft and lock in place.

The problem is that the balls are not retracting. I can feel spring pressure on the collar when I slide it, but no matter how much prying, pounding or swearing I do, I cannot get the yoke to slide over the shaft past the retaining balls. I have trying greasing it, prying on the balls with a large screwdriver - nothing seems to make a difference. I may replace this yoke with the push-button style, but for right now I would just like to get this stupid thing hooked up. Anyone have experience with these collar-style yokes?

 

[DaveOmak]

Are you lining up the splines on the PTO shaft with the grooves in the coupler ??? I have to rotate the PTO shaft until it partially slips into the coupler, before it will engage properly... When they are new, they do fit tight...

Dave

 

[tony83]

Yes, everything is lined up. I can slide the coupler the first 1+ inch onto the shaft, until the retaining balls hit the end of the shaft. Then no amount of pushing or pounding (with the collar retracted of course) will move it any further onto the shaft.

 

[sweettractors]

Twist your locking collar and look into the female spline. You should be able to push each individual ball down clear of the spline with your finger. Once you have each one free and clearing, it will slide on fine. Ken Sweet

 

[fordmantpw]

I had a similar problem with the rotary cutter on my previous tractor. It had the same collar you mentioned. A little WD40 and lots of prying on the balls with a screwdriver solved the issue for me.

 

[unbidden]

I have the same type of collar on one of my shafts, be sure you completely turn the collar while sliding the shaft forward. It may also help if you raise the deck a bit so the shaft is level from the deck to the tractor. Just be careful the deck doesn't lower and the tractor doesn't roll while you're back there.

I find the push-pin types much easier to attach.

 

[pjbci]

Good advice. Those balls are the DEVIL!!!

 

[tony83]

I agree that I would rather have the push-pin type, but I'm going to feel stupid/relieved if it is just operator error. I thought the collar just slid forward towards the tractor - I was unaware that it may also twist. I will give it a try tonight and see what happens.

 

[TerryR]

Mine slides backwards, away from the tractor.

Terry

 

[sweettractors]

I agree that I would rather have the push-pin type, but I'm going to feel stupid/relieved if it is just operator error. I thought the collar just slid forward towards the tractor - I was unaware that it may also twist. I will give it a try tonight and see what happens.

Either Slide back or twist makes no difference, the balls have to go below the female spline. Ken Sweet