Need 3 hands to connect PTO shaft to tractor.

[Diggin It]

Kind of a related question. I can understand why the two halves of the PTO shaft itself are keyed. But, at least in my case, the mid PTO shaft collar and spline are keyed to only interlock at one point. THAT makes it a real bear when trying to connect the MMM since you have to get it just right while having both arms extended under the machine. Why? What difference could it make as long as the collar is fully seated and locked by the retainer ring?

I plan to paint some marks on both halves to make it a bit easier to reconnect.

 

[tree grower]

I read through this entire thread, because I frequently have difficulty with PTO attachments. This problem is clearly an example of the designer and his supervisors never having to live with the results of their decisions.

 

[CobyRupert]

Kind of a related question. I can understand why the two halves of the PTO shaft itself are keyed. But, at least in my case, the mid PTO shaft collar and spline are keyed to only interlock at one point. THAT makes it a real bear when trying to connect the MMM since you have to get it just right while having both arms extended under the machine. Why? What difference could it make as long as the collar is fully seated and locked by the retainer ring?

I plan to paint some marks on both halves to make it a bit easier to reconnect.

Do they do because there are universals at opposite that need to be in "phase" with each other? That is, if you put the two shafts together with one universal yoke rotated 90 degrees from the yoke at the other end, you'd could get serious vibrations.
(See "drive line phasing")

 

[Diggin It]

Do they do because there are universals at opposite that need to be in "phase" with each other? That is, if you put the two shafts together with one universal yoke rotated 90 degrees from the yoke at the other end, you'd could get serious vibrations.
(See "drive line phasing")

I'm not sure I explained that right. Once the PTO shaft is assembled to the MMM and the other half of the PTO shaft is in place (the two keyed halves together), any coupling or phasing should be complete. But from that point, when placing the female coupling on the PTO shaft onto the male PTO nub at the transmission is where I'm asking about. That coupling is keyed and will only slide over that nub when they are both aligned to a certain point. I'm not sure how or why that would affect operation.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

I'm just a newb, so don't take this wrong, but I had trouble with mine too, because one ring pulls back under spring tension but it doesn't affect the ball locks in any way that I can tell. There is another ring right in front of that ring that pushes forward to unlock the balls. Once I figured out the one ring was just a diversion, I didn't have any trouble. This was on my land pride rotary cutter.

 

[s219]

My new PHD's PTO shaft came with this collar-style coupler, and it sucks. Anything that requires the person to fight a spring in the opposite direction the coupler slides on is just plain dumb. Makes me really appreciate my other shafts that have push button couplers.

 

[CobyRupert]

There's the bungee cord to the top link for support trick, but the latest spin to that is actually just that...spin.

With a (high inertia) rotary mower, I find it best to give the pto shaft a little rotation before attempting to put it on the tractor's pto shaft. With the momentum SLOWLY rotating it, the two WILL eventually be align without needing to apply rotational force at the same time you're trying to wrestle the pto shaft forward onto the tractor.

 

[Avenger]

There's the bungee cord to the top link for support trick, but the latest spin to that is actually just that...spin.

With a (high inertia) rotary mower, I find it best to give the pto shaft a little rotation before attempting to put it on the tractor's pto shaft. With the momentum SLOWLY rotating it, the two WILL eventually be align without needing to apply rotational force at the same time you're trying to wrestle the pto shaft forward onto the tractor.

This.

If you can spin the pto shaft slightly, it will greatly ease your install. No need to make marks where the splines are.

I seriously do not understand this struggle.

 

[paulfun9]

This.

If you can spin the pto shaft slightly, it will greatly ease your install. No need to make marks where the splines are.

I seriously do not understand this struggle.

I’m with you. Never seem to have a problem with any pro shaft.
I have however started to notice that many people today seem to be unable to use thier hands for tasks that to me always seemed easy. Working with a couple new drivers and the trouble they have with attaching the air lines is almost hysterical.

 

[1010]

I can see a constant velocity joint on a bat wing being trouble. I've had to work at it (attempts) but got it. I dread hooking one up.. Not that big a deal tho, just have to be tuff..