Rotary Cutter Can't get bush hog on..

[RobertBrown]

I always have to turn the mower shaft, have never been able to turn my pto shaft. You do know there is a spring loaded ring on the mower to pto shaft coupling that has to be pulled back to slide them together once you get them lined up. Some have spring loaded button to push to accomplish this too.

You have live PTO....eh?
The OP may have the same or may have the PTO engaged, which would make it more difficult.
KIRMIL! You should become more familiar with the machine, have a better understanding for safety sake.
I hope you are doing this with the engine off right?
Anyway....no tricks.... you look at the end of the drive shaft and you look at the PTO shaft they go together as such.
You are pushing the spring loaded pin at the end of the drive shaft, when you push the 2 ends together ...right?

 

[jeff9366]

It is difficult to impossible to mate an implement PTO shaft to the tractor. With practice it remains difficult but becomes barely possible. Learn to live with it.

Sainthood to the person who come up with a better system able to withstand the tremendous stresses involved in powering ag implements.

 

[dave1949]

Should I hook the lower pins first or try to hook PTO first? It does have a spring button on the cutter (female attachment).

Technically, the order makes no difference. I prefer to get my lift arms pinned in first, then the pto shaft, then the top link. That gets the mower in position from side to side and the operating distance from the tractor before I mess with the pto shaft.

Either the mower shaft or the pto shaft will have to be turned to line up the splines. You really can't see if they are lining up, I push the female coupling against the shaft while pushing the release button in and rotating the mower shaft very slowly until the splines match. You have to keep pressure against the shaft with the coupling, or you will miss the splines engaging.

Rassling the shaft, the button and turning at the same time, can be cuss worthy.

 

[kebo]

Should I hook the lower pins first or try to hook PTO first? It does have a spring button on the cutter (female attachment).

LOL, you ARE pushing in the little spring button when you try to slide the female part of the PTO shaft (from the bush hog) onto the PTO output shaft on the tractor, right?? It has to be pushed in before it will slide onto the PTO output shaft. Once you have it on there, release the button to lock it in place, but be careful... that button has to line up just right with the PTO output shaft on the tractor for it to lock itself in place. Good luck.

 

[Sawdustsmb]

Just a thought, guys - if the OP has to raise the mower to get it started could the shaft be to long? And if so it could ruin the pto or tranny!

Bob

 

[big lar]

I generally attach my pto shaft1st so I have more length to play with, then attach thepins to the hydralic lift arms.

Hint, if you don't know already; always attach your left side hydralic arm 1st; your right side will have a crank to adjust up and down so you can hook up; be sure however to have both sides even, otherwise you will be digging one side in the ground. Like everyone else said, it takes oil, grease and practice; some pto shafts have a "push pin" other have a spring like collar, got to get used to it.

 

[JimRB]

My female PTO driveshaft has a raised strip of metal on the outside that corresponds with the raised tooth on the inside. You need that indicator to plug into a slot on the pto output shaft of the tractor. http://www.nstmop.psu.edu/tasksheets/5.4 Making PTO Connections.pdf

 

[Sockwell]

If your 8' Land Pride is like my 7' model, I had a devil of a time figuring it out the first time myself. My PTO shaft does not have a spring loaded pin that engages with the groove ahead of the rear splines. Instead, it uses a locking sleeve. You will see two flanges on the end of the shaft coupling. Either the end piece has to be pulled back while it is being slid on, or the inside flange has to be pushed forward, I forget which. If you keep having trouble, post again and I'll walk out to the barn and check. These closing ceremonies are boring.

 

[Depmandog]

Although probably not applicable to the OP's situation, I have a 13' Bush Hog behemoth RC. That sucker sits so low to the ground it has to have the hydraulics engaged to raise the deck or you can't turn the PTO shaft.

It could be possible that after he parked his landpride, some vermin has rearranged the dirt underneath the RC - and he might have to raise the deck to get the shaft to turn.

As stated by the other posters, there is definitely a trick / learning curve getting the shaft hooked up. I have had the detent ball seized up before - I fought that shaft for 15 minutes till I thought to stick a screwdriver in the yoke to see if that little ball could be depressed. Had to work it with some WD40 - after that the shaft slipped right on.

Keep trying, you will get it!

 

[dave1949]

You have live PTO....eh?

No, it has its own independent clutch. But it doesn't free-wheel with the tractor off and the pto clutch disengaged. I always figured that's just the way it is. It works fine.

I hope he got hooked up okay.