Posthole Digger Post hole auger PTO attachment question

jpat34721 · Dec 30, 2013

I bought a used tractor a few years back that came with a post hole auger which I am just now hooking up for the first time. The problem I'm having is that the drive shaft doesn't reach the PTO shaft (it's about 18" short). I'm wondering if the auiger drive shaft needs to be extended (it won't budge, rust I suppose) or if I need some sort of extension shaft that connects to the PTO and the the PH digger drive shaft attaches to that. If it's the former, any hints on getting rusted extendable drive shafts to budge? Also, I can't get the universal joint of the drive shaft off the auger head so any help there would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,
Jeff

grsthegreat · Dec 30, 2013

all auger shafts should be extendable types. they have to be able to slide in and out as the units lowers into the ground. yours is probably frozen ((rusted) inplace.

Papasmirf · Dec 30, 2013

Take some ATF and Kerosene (50/50 mix) or J&B rust buster. Keep trying to get the mixture into the two shafts, one slides into the other. Tap lightly, I said lightly, around the outer shaft housing. May try to add some heat. Take your time and it should come loose. The outer shaft housing should be towards the PTO so when it is detached you can chain it up ^ so rain doesn't flow into it and cause this same problem. There should also be a grease zesty on the outer shaft housing for greasing: about 5 pumps or so on a regular usage basis. That ought to do it. Happy New Year

jpat34721 · Dec 31, 2013

Thanks for the tips guys. Once I knew it was supposed to slip (thanks grsthegreat ) I chained it to my draw bar and broke it loose with my rear lift arms. Greased it up and it slides smooth now.

I'll try the J&B to get the universal joint free from the auger spline.

grsthegreat · Dec 31, 2013

jpat34721 said:
Thanks for the tips guys. Once I knew it was supposed to slip (thanks grsthegreat ) I chained it to my draw bar and broke it loose with my rear lift arms. Greased it up and it slides smooth now. I'll try the J&B to get the universal joint free from the auger spline.

good to hear....good luck

Poopdeck Pappy · Dec 31, 2013

Get yourself some Kano Kroil if you don't have any. It's a miracle product for breaking free stuff that's rusted together.

Halftrack · Dec 31, 2013

If you are removing the pto universal joint from the smaller input shaft of the drive head, you should look for that connection to be the shear pin safety point for the drive head. Typically, I would expect the bolt through the universal and the input shaft to shear upon overload. The universal joint then spins freely on the shaft and is allowed to spin with either a hex set screw or roll pin engaging a groove in the input shaft. Besides the shear bolt holes in the universal, look for either a set screw (one hole) or a roll pin (two holes), which will need to be loosened or removed to remove the driveshaft. The other options would be a shear pin at the tractor end of the pto shaft or a slip clutch somewhere. Mine was a roll pin and was an absolute bear to remove. Good luck.