Removing PTO shaft on MF-1250

[Joe Batt]

My PTO shaft wobbles just a bit. Dad didn't completely disconnect the rotary mower and ended up backing over half the PTO shaft last summer. I think the PTO output is bent on the tractor, so I'm trying to remove it.

It looks like it's held in with a snap ring and a pressed in bearing. Should I be able to pull the whole shaft and bearing out with a slide hammer all at once? Do I need to take that snap ring off (I've tried, and failed...). I removed the two bolts that hold in the bearing and have yanked as hard as I can with a slide hammer attached to the shaft with a chain.



Joe

[Harry in Ky]

Remove the chain, pry the shaft seal out and remove the internal snap ring. The shaft and bearing should then come out with the slide hammer. Looks like a fun project to put back though. The sliding gear will have to be held in place on the shift fork while the new shaft is put back into place.

[Joe Batt]

Shoot! I didn't notice that snap ring behind the seal in the parts diagram. Too bad the seal is $81. Thanks!

Remove the chain, pry the shaft seal out and remove the internal snap ring.

[Joe Batt]

Excellent! Thanks.

Didn't require the slide hammer at all. The bearing towards the front of the tractor wasn't even pressed in tight. This is a heck of a lot easier to work on than the junk cars I normally work on, but the parts cost 5-20X as much as 20 year old Accord parts (24 hours of Lemons).

I think this shaft is bent less than 1/8". I can see a wobble, but not bad enough to stop from mowing about 5 acres last fall. Any opinion on having a shop straighten it versus buying a new one ($236)? I'll have to buy a new seal ($81) and I will replace the bearing ($11).

[jimmysisson]

I wouldn't think a shop would have much luck with straightening. With enough power they might straighten it but I would think that hardened steel might fracture. 'Course it didn't when it was damaged (maybe) so I think it's worth a try. By the time you find out, you'll be good at replacing the seal and shaft!
Jim

[jimmysisson]

I wouldn't think a shop would have much luck with straightening. With enough power they might straighten it but I would think that hardened steel might fracture. 'Course it didn't when it was damaged (maybe) so I think it's worth a try. By the time you find out, you'll be good at replacing the seal and shaft!
Jim