BX mid PTO self destruct

[NYTrainer]

Had a mishap at 14 hours on the meter. The mid pto shaft for the mower self destructed. It was the movable collar portion where the shaft meets the PTO spline. All heck broke loose when it let go!
I've cut the lawn twice now and never had a problem with the shaft. I thought (even though it's a new tractor) that something didn't seem right. I was just beginning to cut (5 minutes into cutting) when all of a sudden something felt strange. There was something out of balance with the mower. You could feel the vibrations. Before I could reach for the PTO disengagement lever the mower suddenly stopped cold with a resounding thunk! That would not have been so bad but the half shaft (with the collar) decided to take out my Hydro filter, brake linkage and looks like it bent the idler pulley bar on the mower. When the hydro filter got hit it opened a gap between the twisted filter and the mounting surface quickly releasing 2.5 gallons of UDT on my lawn.
I had bought the filters, UDT, etc. when I bought the tractor in anticipation of the 50 hour service. Looks like I'll be buying another filter and 2.5 gallons of UDT.
I looked over everything (after cleaning the underneath, etc of used UDT) and except for a chip of paint here and there all seems well. Refilled the hydro and no leaks.
I do have question though for a fellow BX'er. Is the idler pulley on the mower deck (60 inch) parallel to the pulley under the gearbox? Mine is certainly not parallel and fear it may be bent. I'll try to attach a pic. Thanks for any help.

 

[NYTrainer]

Here's the parts!

 

[Bird]

NYTrainer, I'm not at all sure I understand just what happened. Was the part that came off and was damaged the splined end of the driveshaft that goes onto the PTO shaft. I'm only guessing at this point that you didn't have it all the way onto the PTO shaft so the lock pin was locked in place. I saw that happen once on a big John Deere on the rear PTO with about a 15' batwing brush hog. That driveshaft sure flopped around for awhile.

Bird

 

[NYTrainer]

No, it was "locked" on as I mentioned that I had previously cut the lawn twice the way it was set up. (One thing I kept checking as well as oil, etc..) The collar, spring and bearing assembly came apart causing it to, I guess, "unlock"?
If you look at the pic in the second post you'll see a ring next to the shaft. That part was still on the PTO shaft after I shut the tractor down!

 

[DrDan]

Based on my experience with the same arrangement on a G1800, I think it is a poor design. Once you think the shaft is locked you are supposed to tug on the shaft to tell if all is well. Ya right! Not a very convenient place to do much tugging. If they had a pop-out locking pin that would give a visual indication of engagement it sure would be a lot easier to tell if all is well.

Dr Dan

 

[frank_f15]

trainer : not quite sure what happened. but sounds like a lot of dammage. are u sure the pop out pin was out? and locked? if it was not , it could have come loose and slipped off, and that will surley do some bad things. does not matter thatu used it before, it may have just taken this long( and right conditions) to disengage.

 

[Charliebrn]

NYTrainer,

I would be taking it back to the dealer at this point, as it's still in warranty and shouldn't have happened at all. My idler is parallel to the deck, and it looks to me that your idler shaft is bent. I agree with you, if it wasn't locked on, that ring woudn't of seperated, IMHO. My guess is that the lock ring seperated, and all hell broke loose. Let the warranty take care of things, you shouldn't have to pay to get the parts back up and running...not to mention straightening that shaft....

 

[huckflynn]

I had the same thing happen to me last week -- with the same results -- smacked the filter and UDT drained on the lawn. I had been mowing for 3 hours.

I called the dealer and explained the situation. He said I must not have connected the collar to the pto tightly. All I know is that I followed the installation directions to the letter -- the only confirmation of proper installation is to tug on the shaft. I tugged and it was tight. I told him that as far as I was concerned the connection failed and that any repairs should be covered under warranty.

I was at 48 hours and planned on having the dealer do the 50 hour service so I didn't consider the filter and UDT part of the damage.

I got the tractor back a few days ago. I haven't received the bill yet -- but was told the flailing shaft also managed to punch a hole in the fuel tank. Although the collar was banged up pretty good they managed to "salvage" it. It does not give me the warm and fuzzies to think they managed to salvage a defective part. (but maybe the part did not fail -- maybe I failed to attach it properly -- there has to be a better confirmation than a tug on the shaft.)


Huck

 

[NYTrainer]

I only put it back in working order to minimize downtime. I was out using the FEL and box blade this afternoon. It wouldn't be worth the time (for me) it would take for the dealer to change the parts. I did talk to the dealer immediately after this happened (he always answers the cell number he gave me) Parts (except the UDT) are in transit, as well as the filter and credit for the UDT used. I can't complain. The deck, which does appear damaged, will also be covered he said. Even with that item I prefer he drop off a new one and I'll put it on.
Some posts mention a pin that pops out when the sleeve is locked on. There is no pin but you do feel/hear it lock onto a groove on the PTO shaft. The ring that was pictured holds the spring and bearing assembly together (pressed in). It seems that it just came apart (remember I mentioned that it was still on the PTO after this ordeal). Anyway, I became very familiar with my BX (especially underneath it) and figure the unexpected UDT fluid change at 14 hrs. can't hurt in the long run.

 

[Charliebrn]

hmmmmm... (memo to me...check the retaining ring on the mower shaft)....