Push button PTO lock

[BethesdaEC]

Before I get started with my question, I just want to say that even though I'm not on the board nearly as much as I used to be, I still really appreciate all the great advice to be found here! I've been a member since 2003 (I think) and I can't think of a better source of practical tractor & implement info--basic and advanced.

Now for my question (and it's pretty basic). I rarely use rear PTO implements. In fact, the only one I have is a Farm Force SC (4 ft) brush cutter. I used it once 2 to 3 years ago and don't recall having any issues with it. I cleaned it all up a few days ago, regreased everything and mounted it on the tractor. Cut a few swaths with it but kept losing the coupler off the tractor's PTO shaft (possibly running it at too many RPMs--no tach on my tractor).

So, I've read this thread and others very carefully, many times now. Here's my question. Is the coupler supposed to slide ALL THE WAY up the tractor PTO shaft and lock OR is the coupler supposed to lock in the groove near the outer end of the PTO shaft? It seems it would be designed to slide completely over the shaft where it has maximum 'engagement' with length of the PTO shaft.

I have no trouble getting this pin-button couple to lock onto the groove near the outer end of the PTO but even though it slides all the way up the PTO shaft, it will not click into place in that position.

Am I making this harder than it is? Is it only supposed to catch in the obvious groove cut into the shaft? Or is my couple maybe just a almost unmeasurable amount too long to properly seat over the length of the shaft?

While awaiting your replies, I'll go see if I can clean it any better (I've already done everything recommended above I think, but I'll just make sure I didn't miss anything).

Thanks!

If you look down the throat of the driveshaft you should see piece of metal across one of the splines. This piece of metal slides out of the way usually by pressing a button on the outside of the coupler. You want to push the driveshaft onto the pto spine so that it is partially engaged and can't go further, now press the button and slide it further. Once you go an 1/2 inch let go of the button and keep sliding down. When the latch hits the slot the outside button will snap out and you have locked the shaft to the spline.

Good luck.

 

[44trxfun]

You want to push the driveshaft onto the pto spine so that it is partially engaged and can't go further, now press the button and slide it further.

When the latch hits the slot the outside button will snap out and you have locked the shaft to the spline.

Thanks BethesdaEC. Problem is, I think I tried exactly what you said. The initial 'catch' on the push button was in the groove that's machined into the PTO shaft. Pushing the button and sliding the coupler beyond that point toward the tractor is smooth, but the button doesn't snap out so I can't get it to lock onto the shaft.

I called my dealer and explained the situation. If you can believe this, he said the early GC2300s actually had a service bulletin issued for this because the distance from the machined groove to the outer edge of the PTO shaft is too short to keep the coupler from spinning without coming off. The center of the machined groove is only a 1/2-inch from the outer edge of the shaft! This is a design flaw by Massey apparently. In subsequent model years, they used a different shaft but for me to have mine replaced would mean splitting the tractor. Hopefully there's a different coupler / shaft I can get so I can utilize this cutter...