Hooking up pto shaft arrgh!

[MossRoad]

Off-topic: Is there such a thing as a hydraulically operated mower?

Yes. I have a hydraulic finish mower and hydraulic brush cutter.

 

[Soundguy]

A plastic bag and rubber band will help preserve the end if you can't store it inside.. just lube the end well and slip a ziplock or similar bag over, and rubber band in place..

soundguy

 

[aczlan]

The spring loaded locking pin is missing on my mower.

Tractor supply carries replacement locking pins for many styles of shafts. You might bring the tractor half of the PTO shaft in and have them find you a replacement locking pin assy.

Aaron Z

 

[FrogLick]

My experience has been that the main difficulty is aligning the splines which usually involves rotating either the PTO drive on the tractor or the implement. Once I get them aligned the shaft will usually slip on partly and I can deal with seating the shaft fully to lock in place. Of course the safety shrouds on the tractor and implement shaft don't help with easy access either. I'd be very hesitant to use files, grinders, etc. to "modify" the drive splines - but an occasional wire brush cleaning and plenty of grease is good.

 

[Soundguy]

If there are burs.. a wire brush won't get you very far.. but a couple swipes with a file will... same with heavy rust.

soundguy

 

[J_J]

I agree with Soundguy, the file is used to scrape the rust out of the groves and across the ridges. You are not modifying anything.

There are several different type connectors for the shaft. Some of them have the push button, and others have a sleeve that you turn about a quarter turn, push on and then release.

 

[WilliamBos]

It just takes a few times to get the hang of it.

My main problem is coordinating the twist of the coupler to get the shaft to lock because the shaft shield is in the way. I saw a neat new version shield in a tractor dealer that allows you to slide the shield back out of the way for an unobstructed hook-up.

That is why we removed ours. I would be interested in seeing the shield you describe though.

 

[WilliamBos]

The best thing I,ve found to use is the aeresol carb cleaner with the little straw nozzle to clean all the hard to get areas to clean off the old grime & surface rust . use a little brass wire brush to get to the hard to get spots .

Then put Powdered graphite on the telescoping shaft & both ends ( I use a cheap plastic mustard dispensor ) to apply the graphite powder. Seems to work much better then grease or oil. . Bob

Now that is something I may try. Used synthetic brake grease last time, worked OK, but would like to try the graphite. Where do you buy it? Auto parts store??

 

[MossRoad]

A plastic bag and rubber band will help preserve the end if you can't store it inside.. just lube the end well and slip a ziplock or similar bag over, and rubber band in place..

soundguy

I used to do that with my brush hog when I had a conventional tractor and implements, since I only used it once or twice a year. Works good.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I wire brished it out today, it went on snugly. Couldn't find the right locking pin, no one had one in stock, just happened I had a push lawnmower axel in my junk bin it fit right in put a nut on it and went to work. When it was time to unhook the shaft slid off smoothly. I put the pin and the end of the pto shaft in a plastic bag, well greased of course. Should hook right up next time. Thanks for all the useful information. I was so happy I even washed my tractor before I put it away.

 

[RalphVa]

I do the following and have no trouble at all now:

1) raise the shield over the top of the shaft
2) put the PTO selector into the forward position (for those without a forward position; there should be an "off" position)
3) clean off the shaft with a rag.
4) apply new white grease to the shaft
5) place implement PTO onto end of shaft and rotate shaft off tractor by hand until the splines mesh
6) then move pin release (one shaft has a button; another has a collar)
7) push implement PTO onto shaft until I hear a click.
8) tug it back and forth to make sure it locked.
9) lower shield back into place

Ralph

 

[aczlan]

I do the following and have no trouble at all now:

1) raise the shield over the top of the shaft
2) put the PTO selector into the forward position (for those without a forward position; there should be an "off" position)
3) clean off the shaft with a rag.
4) apply new white grease to the shaft
5) place implement PTO onto end of shaft and rotate shaft off tractor by hand until the splines mesh
6) then move pin release (one shaft has a button; another has a collar)
7) push implement PTO onto shaft until I hear a click.
8) tug it back and forth to make sure it locked.
9) lower shield back into place

Ralph

I recommend adding shutting off the tractor before #1.

Aaron Z

 

[SPYDERLK]

Now that is something I may try. Used synthetic brake grease last time, worked OK, but would like to try the graphite. Where do you buy it? Auto parts store??

NH sells an aerosol graphite that is nearly as good as the best [Slip Plate by Superior Graphite]. Can be bought more conveniently than Slip Plate.
larry

 

[WilliamBos]

NH sells an aerosol graphite that is nearly as good as the best [Slip Plate by Superior Graphite]. Can be bought more conveniently than Slip Plate.
larry

I wonder if it also available at Case Dealers??

 

[Soundguy]

Good luck!

soundguy

 

[SPYDERLK]

Now that is something I may try. Used synthetic brake grease last time, worked OK, but would like to try the graphite. Where do you buy it? Auto parts store??

NH sells an aerosol graphite that is nearly as good as the best [Slip Plate by Superior Graphite]. Can be bought more conveniently than Slip Plate.
larry

I neglected to mention that I dont consider a dry lube to be a good choice for the telescoping pto shaft because it does not cushion as grease does. If the shaft is covered grease is the way to go. If open it would probably favor graphite to prevent developing a grit slurry.
larry

 

[PA hayseed]

I have found that everytime I disconnect one shaft, and then connect a second implement's shaft, by the time I am done I have grease from fingertip to elbow on both arms. (not complete 360 coverage, but most on here will likely know what I mean)

At least I look like I did something at the end of the day.

 

[6string]

I bought a new Buhler finishing mower a couple weeks ago and it took me about 45 min. to get the pto shaft collar de-rusted and lubed up before it would slip on the tractor. If the dealer had stored the pto shaft indoors or the manufacturer had coated the collars with grease it would have made things a whole lot easier.

 

[Soundguy]

It would be 5 minutes of preventative maint that would save much work downt he road.

soundguy

 

[banjodunn]

G'day a good dealer would have freed it up before you got it


Jon