3-Point Hitch Is there an easy way to connect power takeoff to tractor?

[jobguy]

Any suggestion on an easy way of attaching the power-take-off shaft from and to the tractor would be appreciated.
My back is too bad this year to accomplish this task without asking someone else to do it.
If you have ever waited for your kids to find the time to stop by you'll understand why I want to
do this myself.
Thanks in advance.

 

[TSO]

What implement?

 

[k0ua]

Any suggestion on an easy way of attaching the power-take-off shaft from and to the tractor would be appreciated.
My back is too bad this year to accomplish this task without asking someone else to do it.
If you have ever waited for your kids to find the time to stop by you'll understand why I want to
do this myself.
Thanks in advance.

What seems to be the major problem?.. I am pretty old, hate bending down (big gut), and have arthritic fingers, but I don't seem to have a lot of trouble. I have the kind of coupler with a push button on the side you hold in with your thumb (yeah it hurts) and slide it on the splines.

Now some tricks: If you support the weight of the shaft with a bungee cord it is less tireing. Makes sure the coupler and the splines are well lubed up. I use Fluid Film. Inspect and make sure there are no burrs in the "lands and grooves" of the splines on either the PTO shaft coming out of the tractor or the coupler on the PTO shaft itself, if there are any, remove with a file. . If you have the pull back collar or the twist collar kind of coupler make sure before you get down and struggle with it, that its function of retracting the retaining balls is fully lubed up and working. Work on it on your bench not bent over out on the ground.

Make sure you can either turn the PTO shaft out of the tractor or the implement so that you can line up the splines. Makes sure when it does slip on the shaft, you shove it all the way forward, let go of the retainer (ring, collar, or pin) and pull backwards on the coupler to make sure it is retained. Don't want it slipping off and beating the he77 out of everything in sight, and then flying off in the weeds or over your head.

I used to have a lot of trouble, but when I started taking my own advice, and made sure things were clean, deburred, well lubed and supported, it is totally a non event now.

 

[jveretto]

Plenty of lube has fixed my problems!

 

[JD5210]

How I do it, first on the PTO shaft coupler on the outside with white paint I mark a few of the groves. This way I know were the groves are that I will need to line-up with the PTO shaft on the tractor.

I connect the attachment to the tractor without the PTO connected. I disconnect the top link from the attachment. Where the attachment attaches to the top link, I have a rope that connects here goes under the PTO shaft and back up and insure the PTO shaft is level with the PTO on the tractor. I have a rope made for each attachment. At this point the PTO shaft is being held up by the rope and not me.

Also by having the top link disconnected it is not in the way.

If my groves markings do not line up with the tractor at least on my tractor with the tractor OFF I can rotate the tractor PTO shaft to line things up.

If this does not make sense let me and I will try again.

 

[Gary Fowler]

What seems to be the major problem?.. I am pretty old, hate bending down (big gut), and have arthritic fingers, but I don't seem to have a lot of trouble. I have the kind of coupler with a push button on the side you hold in with your thumb (yeah it hurts) and slide it on the splines.

Now some tricks: If you support the weight of the shaft with a bungee cord it is less tireing. Makes sure the coupler and the splines are well lubed up. I use Fluid Film. Inspect and make sure there are no burrs in the "lands and grooves" of the splines on either the PTO shaft coming out of the tractor or the coupler on the PTO shaft itself, if there are any, remove with a file. . If you have the pull back collar or the twist collar kind of coupler make sure before you get down and struggle with it, that its function of retracting the retaining balls is fully lubed up and working. Work on it on your bench not bent over out on the ground.

Make sure you can either turn the PTO shaft out of the tractor or the implement so that you can line up the splines. Makes sure when it does slip on the shaft, you shove it all the way forward, let go of the retainer (ring, collar, or pin) and pull backwards on the coupler to make sure it is retained. Don't want it slipping off and beating the he77 out of everything in sight, and then flying off in the weeds or over your head.

I used to have a lot of trouble, but when I started taking my own advice, and made sure things were clean, deburred, well lubed and supported, it is totally a non event now.

I see that you left out the one thing that bugs me, lubricating the PTO shaft and it protecting sheath so they slide in and out without much effort. On one bush hog that I had, I had to slit the outer plastic protecting sheath and spread it so I could get some grease in it and free it up so it would slide back and forth, the splined steel shaft was free, but the plastic was so tight that I couldn't move it.

 

[jobguy]

I have a tiller and brush hog. My problem is ruptured discs (surgery tomorrow) I'm not supposed to do any thing for 6 weeks. I never thought of supporting the shaft with bungee cords (I like that idea). I keep everything well lubed.
Has anyone owned the John Deere system where the driver hooks up and unhooks without leaving the seat? If so is it worth the money?

 

[k0ua]

I see that you left out the one thing that bugs me, lubricating the PTO shaft and it protecting sheath so they slide in and out without much effort. On one bush hog that I had, I had to slit the outer plastic protecting sheath and spread it so I could get some grease in it and free it up so it would slide back and forth, the splined steel shaft was free, but the plastic was so tight that I couldn't move it.

Yep, about once a year, you do need to lube the inner/outer shaft joint. I store inside, so it is not as bad as outside storage which can get water in there and rust.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Sometimes the PTO splines can get mucked up to the point that it is hard to get the shaft inside the receiver. Clean it and re-lube.

 

[MF283]

I have a tiller and brush hog. My problem is ruptured discs (surgery tomorrow) I'm not supposed to do any thing for 6 weeks. I never thought of supporting the shaft with bungee cords (I like that idea). I keep everything well lubed.
Has anyone owned the John Deere system where the driver hooks up and unhooks without leaving the seat? If so is it worth the money?

Been down that road, don't do anything for 6 weeks, trust me. I like to have went crazy best garden i had in years & couldn't do anything, family came & helped with it.
Bouncing on a tractor is one of the hardest things on your spine, especially if your turned looking at the implement's.
Good advice given as to hookup, can't add anything there.

Ronnie

 

[Bavarian]

Good luck with your surgery. Had it done 14 years ago. Please do yourself a favor and don't sit the first 4 weeks, not even for eating. Either walk, stand or lie.
Might not be easy.
Good advise from previous posters on hook ups.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Good luck with your surgery. I use salvaged seat belts instead of bungies so that they adjust and remove very easy and also don't stretch out. Belts then go back on during storage (outside) to keep the end out of the dirt.

 

[Scooby074]

There are some things to try when hooking it manually, like lubrication and leaving the PTO in neutral. Not that Id advocate removing guards for safety reasons, but some times they are more of a hindrance and "modifying" them can make hookup easier.

Theres the Deere auto hitch

There is also a manufacturer out of europe (Gangl Docking Systems) making semi and full auto hitches, including the option to hook up any auxiliary hyd lines fully automatic. No idea of cost or availability in NA (im sure it will be $$$), but if you look at it as an investment that will allow for you to keep using your tractor, it might be worth checking into it

 

[MF283]

Good luck with your surgery. Had it done 14 years ago. Please do yourself a favor and don't sit the first 4 weeks, not even for eating. Either walk, stand or lie.
Might not be easy.
Good advise from previous posters on hook ups.

Yep, walked myself to death those first 4 weeks, then i got to drive again.

Ronnie

 

[RSKY]

I think your Bobcat is the same as my CK20. I ALWAYS kill the engine when attaching the PTO. I engage it where the shaft doesn't move and usually have no trouble. Also use plenty of grease.

RSKY

 

[bdog]

Grease seems to hurt as much as it helps as it collects to much dirt and grime. I have switched to fluid film in the spray can for my PTO splines and it seems to work much better.

 

[k0ua]

Grease seems to hurt as much as it helps as it collects to much dirt and grime. I have switched to fluid film in the spray can for my PTO splines and it seems to work much better.

I will back you up on that one!:thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

Grease seems to hurt as much as it helps as it collects to much dirt and grime. I have switched to fluid film in the spray can for my PTO splines and it seems to work much better.

Thirded (it is SO a word!) Although I use a lanolin based spray... must be due to all of the sheep we have here in Aus.

The other thing you need when connecting the shaft is a good collection of cursing/swear words! [Note: try to warn the neighbours to keep their wee ones indoors until you've finished]

 

[brown40]

+1(s) on using a rope to support the shaft at level, and keeping them telescoping well. If both sides are a quick connect style, I'll hook up the tractor side first, since thats the harder to get at.
If you can tie a clove hitch--you can tie the midshipmans hitch (it's an extra wind to the inside, though I find the extra wind done outside the loop ties, slides and grips slightly better.) Slide the barrel of the knot to the desired height and a dogleg forms to hold when pressure is applied. Works like the prussik knots.
Also great for tensioning lines, tying a tow rope for quick release, holding things at varying levels, and being an extra set of hands. Best knot ever.

 

[Wagtail]

Nice knot brown40. I'm going to have to practice that one. (although in 40 years of Naval service I've yet to observe a Midshipman tying this knot)

Midshipman's Hitch | How to tie a Midshipman's (Taut Line), Hitch | Boating Knots