Need 3 hands to connect PTO shaft to tractor.

Rebeldad1 · May 12, 2019

I have two PTO shafts with the newer style quick release ring that slides back to attach to the tractor.
I keep them clean and well oiled.
It takes two hands to slide the ring back fully and that at best is just barely enough. The balls dont retract 100%
It also takes another hand to grab the shaft to push it on the tractor.

More often than not I wind up grabbing a bar and pushing it on. I cant "tap" in place because of the plastic safety guard on the shaft

Is there some kind of adjustment for these?

Oldoak · May 12, 2019

No adjustment. There has been another thread running about this very same PTO drive shaft arrangement. It can be a royal pain.

jeff9366 · May 12, 2019

I like to use spray Dry Lubricant on the tractor-end PTO splines. If you must use oil, wipe it off with a paper towel before making the PTO connection. Oil eventually thickens in this hot junction and holds dirt and dust to the shaft and collar balls.

I connect PTO implement to the Lower Links, then raise the implement so the path for the PTO collar to the splines is LEVEL. This aids the shaft to slide on. ((No bungee suspending the PTO shaft required with this method.))

With the tractor transmission and PTO in neutral, the tractor-end splines can be rotated in either direction through part of an arc.

Often mated implements wear in and become easier to mount.

bcp · May 12, 2019

Rebeldad1 said:
I have two PTO shafts with the newer style quick release ring that slides back to attach to the tractor.
...

Obviously, you need at least two tractors.

Bruce

BertZegers · May 12, 2019

Rebeldad1 said:
I have two PTO shafts with the newer style quick release ring that slides back to attach to the tractor.
I keep them clean and well oiled.
It takes two hands to slide the ring back fully and that at best is just barely enough. The balls dont retract 100%
It also takes another hand to grab the shaft to push it on the tractor.

More often than not I wind up grabbing a bar and pushing it on. I cant "tap" in place because of the plastic safety guard on the shaft

Is there some kind of adjustment for these?

If there is some crap around the balls then they wont retract far enough. Take it apart and clean.
I push the pto coupler till the balls hit the pto shaft on the tractor. Than I pull and hold the collar and push forward. Use Fluid Film or the like to grease the shaft.

The way this coupler is designed, well it just seems to works against you.

bullbreaker · May 12, 2019

Also helps if shaft cover on tractor if it has one is loosed up and flipped up to get in there better . I have fought that in south Fla 98 degree /80 per cent humidity and it can be a witch ! Also of course the splines got to be lined up .

ericm979 · May 12, 2019

A trick I saw here is to use a bungie cord to suspend the PTO shaft. That way you're not also trying to hold it up while sliding it on.

With most PTO couplers you can slide it on the tractor stub a short ways before the balls hit the end of the stub. Then you can pull back the collar or push the button to retract the balls and push the collar further on the stub.

Gary Fowler · May 12, 2019

I have one like that. The spring is so strong that it takes 2 hands just to retract the collar so you have to pull back on the collar and push forward on the coupling. Not an easy task. It is a -itch to hook up but not so much getting it off. The spring could be a lot easier to collapse and still hold securely.

CADplans · May 12, 2019

This is a sure fire cure for PTO connection problems,,,

Really, I never have a problem with any type PTO shaft, if it is clean and lubed,,
I do use synthetic 90WT on the shaft so that it slides effortlessly,,, NOT grease,,,

jbrumberg · May 12, 2019

I agree about the need for a decent application of lubricant and cleanliness. I fashion a "noose" hanging from the toplink to keep the PTO driveshaft coupler in-line with the tractor's PTO stub instead of a bungee cord and a liberal application of lidocaine topical cream afterwards.

RalphVa · May 12, 2019

My dealer replaced my collar with a button type on the bush hog. It isn't quite as good as the button on the chipper/shredder but far better than that sliding collar. Talk about bad ergonomics!

Ralph

Leejohn · May 12, 2019

Rest the shaft on your knee while putting on.

Industrial Toys · May 12, 2019

Sometimes it's just a matter of how dirty you are willing to get.

And the pain really starts when the shaft falls onto the drawbar with your fingers inbetween.

chevy · May 12, 2019

It looks like this may solve the problem.

Easy PTO quick connect for tractor attachments - Tractor PTO Link

jeff9366 · May 12, 2019

chevy said:
It looks like this may solve the problem.

Easy PTO quick connect for tractor attachments - Tractor PTO Link

3,000 sold is less than a drop in the bucket.

Does it Extend the Shaft?
Yes, the tractor's PTO spline is extended 4.5″ once equipped with the PTO Link system.

Industrial Toys · May 12, 2019

It's worth looking into. For the safety minded, does it put something dangerous out beyond the PTO safety cage? I take mine off as soon as the tractor is delivered anyway.

In general, the single button system, if kept lubricated, is easier to put on, than the collar which requires two hands to pull back, if you ask me.

AchingBack · May 13, 2019

Rebeldad1 said:
I have two PTO shafts with the newer style quick release ring that slides back to attach to the tractor.
I keep them clean and well oiled.
It takes two hands to slide the ring back fully and that at best is just barely enough. The balls dont retract 100%
It also takes another hand to grab the shaft to push it on the tractor.

More often than not I wind up grabbing a bar and pushing it on. I cant "tap" in place because of the plastic safety guard on the shaft

Is there some kind of adjustment for these?

Check out this technique, no hands required. Fast forward to the 10min. 20sec. mark.Ford To The Rescue......I'm Stuck!! - YouTube

widefat · May 13, 2019

I can honestly say I have never had an issue with the ring couplers. grab the ring with the finger tips of each hand, sandwich the housing between the heel of of my hands, and slide it on.
I do keep both the shaft and the implement side clean, and use a dry spray lube though. makes it much easier. And, I cut off the plastic shaft guards on the implement side.

paulfun9 · May 13, 2019

AchingBack said:
Check out this technique, no hands required. Fast forward to the 10min. 20sec. mark.Ford To The Rescue......I'm Stuck!! - YouTube

Well after watching this I am just going to smile every time someone complains about hooking up the pto shaft.

Oldoak · May 13, 2019

And, I cut off the plastic shaft guards on the implement side.

And, that is why you never had an issue with ring couplers. A person can't sandwich the housing between the heel of of my hands without altering the plastic safety guard.

Although I never saw a need for the coupling to be completely guarded. Common sense would tell anyone not to stick your hand in there while the tractor is running. Well, then again, in today's world...............common sense is terribly lacking.