790 Mid PTO Installation

[mountain_man]

I recently installed a Mid PTO option on my JD 790 (in preparation for a used snowblower) and thought this info would be helpful. The P/N for the Mid PTO (790) is BM17994 and cost $390. It took about 6 hours for the installation. Besides the kit, I also used 4 gals of Low Viscosity Hy-Gard transmission/hydraulic oil, and a new power steering filter.

Here's the PTO kit (started feeling like Tim "the tool man" Taylor) - "Sure are a lot of parts..."

 

[mountain_man]

Bottom of transmission with access plate removed. You also need a container to hold 4 gals of old transmission oil.

 

[mountain_man]

Mid PTO gearbox installed. (The easy part).

 

[mountain_man]

Wheel, fender, covers removed before PTO linkage installed.

 

[mountain_man]

Linkage installed. Note new PTO lever. With all the springs, levers, bellcranks, pushrods, Rube Goldberg would have been proud!

Note the tractor is being supported by a jack stand (close to the wheel hub) as well as the hydraulic jack (like having both a belt and suspenders).

 

[mountain_man]

More linkage to PTO gearbox. Parts fit easily however linkage adjustments take some time to get right with the dual stage clutch.

 

[mountain_man]

Cover installation. A PITA - trust me...

 

[mountain_man]

Final picture of cover from below. Tested PTO and safety lockouts.

 

[F350Lawman]

Nice to know. I didn't order the mid-PTO option and wondered if it was a mistake. Even though I doubt I will ever want the mid-PTO it is good to know it can be installed fairly easily and inexpensively.

Thanks for posting the good photos.

 

[Whiskey]

Mountain_Man:

I'll have to chim in with Scott...I didn't get it mid-pto either but thanks for the info on install, the pic's are great felt as if I was under mine looking up.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Whiskey

 

[RobS]

Nice install Mountainman and great photos. I'll be doing my trans fluid change soon, what did you use to catch the fluid? Will a five gallon bucket fit under the tractor?

I suppose you've noticed that the drawbar will no longer slide forward with the mid-PTO. That was a minor disappointment for me as the tractor I looked at on the lot did not have a mid-PTO and I liked that the drawbar could be stored out of the way of the implements. So I take it off and never have it nearby when I need it. Still a great tractor though.

Be sure to post some more pictures when you get that snowblower hooked up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MGADon]

Mountain man,
Glad to see that the install went well. The kit looks very similar to that for the 870. I'll soon be trying my mid pto with a mid mount moweer.
Don

 

[mountain_man]

I have a 15 quart "Blitz" oil drain pan (from Wally World about $6), which was filled to the brim. The power steering filter holds the other quart. Also the oil screen on the right side also needs to be cleaned (mostly fine metal particles). BTW the screen only fits in one direction... Here's a picture.

You're correct about losing the drawbar storage. I do use it frequently for pulling a manure spreader.

I agree it's a great tractor and much easier to work on then most cars (easy access and better ground clearance). However some torque setting are higher (drawbar bolts take 250 ft/lbs!!)

 

[mountain_man]

MGADon - Thanks for your past comments, which gave me perspective (and encouragement) as to the complexity of the installation (which after all wasn't too difficult).

The used snowblower is next (waiting for some parts on order). BTW - We actually had a dusting of early snow on Saturday (today its 83 degrees...). Tops of the fourteen'ers are already snow covered above treeline. Aspens are starting to turn. I think winter's comin' way too soon...

 

[jrdellaratta]

I'm curious: how would the snowblower be attached, if it were to use the mid-PTO for its power? Doesn't it need to be rear-mounted? I'm sure there's a simple explanation I'm just not seeing.

 

[mountain_man]

It's a 59" front mounted snowblower (JD specific), which uses a driveshaft from the mid PTO to the front of the tractor. Besides connecting the PTO shaft, it has a quick front attachment with 2 pins and some hydraulics (for height adjustment and spout rotation). I'll post some pictures once I have it all together.

 

[F350Lawman]

I suppose you've noticed that the drawbar will no longer slide forward with the mid-PTO. That was a minor disappointment for me as the tractor I looked at on the lot did not have a mid-PTO and I liked that the drawbar could be stored out of the way of the implements. So I take it off and never have it nearby when I need it.

Why don't you cut the drawbar down so it's shorter? Could one drill out a new hole and cut it shorter?

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue"> Why don't you cut the drawbar down so it's shorter </font>

Aah, what a simple question. Seems like it would have a simple answer, eh? Not so in my life. Like anything else I might complain about it's really a matter of inconvenience versus solution priority.

Allow me to explain...

Yes, I could just cut it down but I haven't fully considered the ramifications of a shorter drawbar. Another mental priority I haven't made. What I'd really like is one of those three point reciever doo-hickeys that so many others show pictures of. Then I could ease up to my trailer, raise the tph and pull away like a gentlman. Of course, that will most likely require welding. Not enough of a priority to hire it out but also not quite enough to justify that welder that I'd like to own someday.

Of course, tonight I stopped at TSC on the way home and they have a pretty slick deal on a MIG welder (Hobart 175) including gas kit, bottle, auto darkening hood and all. Good deal, but just that much more than I was previously thinking of spending on a more basic package. Once again, it's the old priority thing.

So instead, I sit here typing with my two boys surrounding me not thinking about it a bit. Drawbar too long... too bad. I'll still sleep well tonight /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mountain_man]

I agree, cutting and drilling is the solution if the drawbar needs to be shorter. Currently I only use it to pull around a manure spreader. However the storage feature (backwards underneath the tranny where the new mid pto now resides) was helpful. In the meantime I'm working on a ballast box with a 2" receiver so probably won't be using the drawbar anyway.

 

[dklistul]

I bought my 770 4 years ago and it didn't have a mid PTO. I want to put a mid mount mower under it but need the mid-PTO to make that work. I've been searching for a PTO installation kit (JD doesn't make it any more) and finally, one came along on eBay. It arrived on Thursday, and I installed it today.

5-1/2 hours front to back, including an hour for lunch and several short breaks (I'm fighting a cold and don't have much stamina). The kit came with everything I needed to do the installation; the only thing I couldn't do was connect the safety switch because the wire from the switch is too short to reach the pigtail on the tractor's harness. I'll look at it more later.

The pictures on this thread were invaluable to the installation. Thanks!

Now, I have to set up an eBay search for a 60" Mid Mount Mower, since putting a mower under this machine is the main reason for doing the mid-PTO installation in the first place.