PTO shaft

[MoArk Willy]

I have to leave my implements in the weather, fairly protected under a tree but still outdoors.
The only issue I have is the PTO shaft on my 3 point finish mower never wants to slide in and out easily.
I believe it is the sleeve that is the issue. I have seen videos suggesting that WD 40 be used on the sleeve.
That seems to work once or twice but if the mower sits a month or so it's back to being difficult to extend.
Standing behind the tractor, straddling the 3 point lower arms and trying to stay balanced at the same time is difficult when you have to fight with the PTO shaft to extend it.
Any lube you can suggest that will keep it loosened up?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You pull the front half of the pto shaft out and store it indoors, spray everything with WD40 when you put it back in...

SR

 

[mikester]

KY Jelly

 

[John0829]

Get a piece of pvc pipe in a large enough diameter to slide over the PTO shaft, anything that will protect it from the weather will help. If it is like the finish mower I just sold the shaft has quick connects on each end of the shaft, remove it and store it inside.

 

[ericm979]

Grease from your grease gun (#2) will keep it from rusting but will make the shafts hard to slide especially when cold. Light grease like spray lithium grease will stick longer than WD40 and still be light enough to let the shafts slide easily.

 

[LittleBill21]

buy this stuff, it lasts months in direct rain. I use it on everything.

https://amzn.to/3qwYgCv

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't want the WD40 to last longer, I want it to clean/lube the shaft/pto right then, while I put it together, and then I'm done with it.

I don't want anything left behind to collect dirt or anything else, as keep in mind, those shafts have a lot of bearing surface and don't get moved much. SO, why does something that doesn't get moved much need a lube in the first place.

I've been doing my farm equipment the above way for MANY years, and I've yet seen any wear on even one shaft...

Forget the messy dirt collecting grease!

SR

 

[PILOON]

You do want a lubricant of some kind otherwise rust will weld the shafts together.
Don't ask how I know.
My preferred lube is synthetic based as it won't harden like clay based ones will.
WD40 is my preferred method of flushing out old crap and it helps liquify dry greases.

 

[RoyJackson]

With the exception of the snow blower, I remove the entire shaft from my flail mower and chipper. I grease 'em, than store them in an outbuilding or in my garage.
The chipper is also stored in an out building. The flail mower is covered with a tarp during the winter months

 

[Hughman]

What about permatex anti-seize?