PTO Shaft frozen by rust or something?

[rv7charlie]

Another vote for ATF/acetone. I've read tests showing it equal or better than any commercially available rust buster. Should help with dried grease, too. [looks like others type faster than me] I used it many years ago on an ancient MF-50 tractor, when I had to rebuild the head. it is 'magic'.

The just-mentioned vibration trick also helps; hitting it with a hammer is just short-term vibration. If you have an air hammer/rivet gun, that might be a good option.

 

[hube2]

Based on several responses here, maybe try a solvent for grease rather than for rust?

I agree, if it is dried grease I might be temped to throw the shaft into a large container of hot water with a generous amount of Dawn added. But I don't know what that would do for the grease in the joints, but then that's probably hardened as well.

 

[SylvainG]

I agree with you 100%. In 2001 I bought a 15 month old New Holland 1920 that had 72 hours and had been kept in a Cover It garage. For the first 2 years it was parked in my garage but got displaced to sitting outside. The worst thing I could have done to it. I am now going to have to have the stuck clutch replaced at 650 hours. Bill C

On my tractor, they mention if the tractor is to be stored for a prolong period of time, to use the clutch locking pin to keep the clutch disengaged so it would rust to the plate and get stuck.

 

[RancherGuy]

I left my near new post hole digger out for a couple of years. It was greased and I left left the shaft elevated off the ground. Never the less, It welded itself together with rust. I soaked it in Kroil, chained one end to a tree and chained the other end to my tractor. Broke a 1/4" logging chain twice. Never budged. I tried keeping it stretched by chain and come along for 2 days hitting hit with Kroil and hammer. No luck. Don't own a torch. looking for ideas. It is like new on the outside, hardly any rust at all.

My first comment is that a 1/4" chain is not a logging chain. Otherwise maybe I have a solution. Kroil is good, ATF is good, Liquid Wrench is good, PBB is good. You can see Youtube videos that show they all have value, especially if you re-apply daily and let it work. As you mention, maybe try something that might liquefy solid grease.

But here is my recommendation: be sure you understand how to disconnect. I say that with all seriousness. I have a post hole digger and found myself a month ago flustered to no end because I could not get it disconnected. It was only connected for a week. The problem was that mine was a two part operation. There is a plastic ring that must slide towards the tractor, then a metal ring closer to the tractor that slides away from the tractor, then the drive shaft can be pulled off the PTO. I was only sliding the plastic ring. If that is not your design then be aware that to release retaining balls, some sleeves slide towards the tractor and some slide away from the tractor. Just be sure it is sliding.

 

[Loaderman22]

I agree, if it is dried grease I might be temped to throw the shaft into a large container of hot water with a generous amount of Dawn added. But I don't know what that would do for the grease in the joints, but then that's probably hardened as well.

IMO I would avoid water, it might help loosen it, but the potential for rust adding to your problem is too big of a chance if it doesn't loosen it!

 

[hube2]

IMO I would avoid water, it might help loosen it, but the potential for rust adding to your problem is too big of a chance if it doesn't loosen it!

That's why a said I might be tempted, probably be my last resort.

And why I'm reading things like this to avoid similar problems myself. While I will probably need to store some things outside I have indoor space to keep the PTO shafts where I can not forget about them and check on them frequently.

 

[DutchInNZ]

I have a Zetor that had been standing for abt. ten years. Every joint that was greased had seized completely. I had to take off all 21 of them and most I managed to get free by hammering, but several ones were so stuck that I needed a 30-tons hydraulic press to free them up. Took me a week. As Piloon and deserteagle say, it is most likely the grease and that you can not get going again by heating. Maybe immersing it a long time in thinner might do the job with you, but with me it did not because it did not penetrate.

 

[sixdogs]

My first comment is that a 1/4" chain is not a logging chain. Otherwise maybe I have a solution. Kroil is good, ATF is good, Liquid Wrench is good, PBB is good. You can see Youtube videos that show they all have value, especially if you re-apply daily and let it work. As you mention, maybe try something that might liquefy solid grease.

But here is my recommendation: be sure you understand how to disconnect. I say that with all seriousness. I have a post hole digger and found myself a month ago flustered to no end because I could not get it disconnected. It was only connected for a week. The problem was that mine was a two part operation. There is a plastic ring that must slide towards the tractor, then a metal ring closer to the tractor that slides away from the tractor, then the drive shaft can be pulled off the PTO. I was only sliding the plastic ring. If that is not your design then be aware that to release retaining balls, some sleeves slide towards the tractor and some slide away from the tractor. Just be sure it is sliding.

I also had one that was not fully disconnected. Oops. There are some strange connections on older equipment and it was just one I hadn't seen before.

These days I don't use grease on a PTO stub because it but just makes assembly more difficult. I spray oil on the shaft and stub end before attaching and then when I take things apart and they are still hot from use.

 

[Williy]

does anyone use grease with silicone ?

willy

 

[PILOON]

does anyone use grease with silicone ?

willy

Since I once had to unjamb a PTO shaft I now only use synthetic greases.
No more baked clay for me.

Learned about clay based grease when I was given an electric grease gun.
Baked so hard that I had to drill and chisel it out.
Previous owner must have stored it over the furnace.