Bent PTO shaft

[BKColeman]

I just got my new rotary cutter two weeks ago. I have been struggling to get the PTO shaft to telescope in and out. So I took it apart tonight to grease it, and I believe it is bent. I'm going to call the dealer in the morning to have him look at it, but I thought I would ask the experts here if it does indeed look bent. This is my first pto powered implement so I don't want to call him if I'm wrong.
So what do you think? Doesn't this look bent? I put a level beside it as a straight reference. Or are they supposed to look this way?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Brad,

It's bent. Probably because it was to long when the deck is raised.
Al

 

[BKColeman]

Here's another view.

Thanks for the advice.

--Brad

 

[Inspector507]

I would NOT use it that way

 

[BKColeman]

Al, thanks for the fast response. That's impressive service.

I thought so, I'll give the dealer a call in the morning, glad he's the one who cut the shaft in the first place.


Thanks,
--Brad

 

[BKColeman]

Glad I asked. Thanks Inspector.

--Brad

 

[Inspector507]

It will vibrate something awful..............could tear up a seal at the least

 

[BKColeman]

Jerry,
Where could it tear up a seal at? I'm asking because the other thing I was going to talk to the dealer about is I have a small leak I think near the rear end of the tractor. I haven't found the leak yet, I just noticed a wet spot on the floor tonight.
I have only used the rotary cutter once and there wasn't any real vibration, but it did shear the shear bolt when I first engaged the PTO (which now makes sense). I called the dealer about that over the weekend and he said it didn't sound right and if it kept happening he would come to take a look. That was before I realized it was bent.

Thanks for the feedback. Your wisdom is appreciated.

 

[Inspector507]

Could damage the seal on the gearbox of the cutter or the seal at the PTO shaft

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...glad he's the one who cut the shaft in the first place...</font color=blue>

Brad...

I'm not familiar with the Top Link Bracket on the TC40... but if you have the top link mounted in the "bottom" hole and raise the cutter all the way up in transport position (also check the lift pin placement on the cutter)... (without looking and raising it too high)... you... may have bend the shaft unintentionally when it came in contact with the front of the rotary cutter deck and bent it... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Another PTO shaft assembly will run you ~ $140-200... I really don't think the dealer will "eat" this one.../w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif (but if he does... you better take him out to a few dinners... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif)