Hi again Busy_Dad
Switching between rear- and front-PTO modes, is literally a matter of seconds on these tractors, as one only has to turn the handlebar, the gear lever and the PTO lever 180 degrees, and you are ready to go. I am very puzzled that it does not work for you
There are no hidden pins anywhere, and the only thing that can prevent you from engaging the PTO, is the little PTO lockout on the PTO shift arm. This lockout is black on my tractor, but if your tractor is similar to the one on the mentioned page from BCS America, it is probably red. As you have been working with your tractor in the rear-PTO mode, you have had the handlebar and the gear and PTO lever above your implement. In this position the red PTO lockout face
towards the tractor, thereby physically preventing the PTO from being engaged, when reverse is selected. This is a safety feature, preventing your feet from being run over by a reversing tiller for instance.
In the front-PTO mode, the handlebar and the 2 levers are above the tractor, and is this position, the PTO lockout will face
away from the tractor. - This is very important, as with the little lockout in this position, it has no influence on the reverse mechanism, and the PTO can be engaged in both forward and reverse.
Please dobble-check the position of the PTO lockout! Make sure that the PTO lockout is probably fixed to the PTO shift arm, and that it rotates as described above when you rotate the PTO lever through 180 degrees.
The lower end of the PTO shift arm is directly connected to the inner parts of the PTO mechanism in the tractor housing, and on tractors that are used only in front- or rear-PTO mode, there is a risk that the shift arm will stick, and be difficult or impossible to rotate when needed. Try to rotate the PTO lever back and forth between the 2 modes, and make sure that the shift arm rotates freely. - Or even better, make someone do it, while you keep your eyes on the PTO lockout
I apologize if some of this was a repetition of me first reply, but I can’t get this problem out of my head. If possible, it would be very helpful if you were able to show a few fotos of the PTO lockout in its 2 positions.
I cross my fingers that you can get this problem solved, so you can use your sickle bar mower
Best regards
Jens