Rotary Cutter Can't get bush hog on..

[bilrus61]

Use some white paint on the female PTO shaft from the mower. Put a white dot were there is a groove. When you try to push it on aline the white dots with the raised ridges on your tractor's PTO shaft.

 

[Sackett2]

Use some white paint on the female PTO shaft from the mower. Put a white dot were there is a groove. When you try to push it on aline the white dots with the raised ridges on your tractor's PTO shaft.

Good idea...

Also, I have a 6' hog i raise the hog free of the ground and make sure it is level. if not, the weight of the blades rotate the PTO shaft and make the lining up difficult.

 

[chim]

.............................................Rassling the shaft, the button and turning at the same time, can be cuss worthy.

Why not fight one battle at a time? Assuming the shaft and splines are lubed - Bring the PTO shaft to the point where it just kisses the tractor's output shaft and apply pressure to it. Rotate whichever end you can till you feel the splines engage and get it on thet first 1/2". Depress the button (or twist the ring or pull the ring back) and run the shaft till it bottoms out. Release the button and pull back on the shaft till the locking detent grabs.

I've had three different types of locking mechanisms on my PTO shafts - button to push, ring to twist and a ring to push back. None require any button or ring action to get them started. It is only after the splines are engaged that I need to fiddle with the locking button / ring.

 

[dave1949]

Why not fight one battle at a time? Assuming the shaft and splines are lubed - Bring the PTO shaft to the point where it just kisses the tractor's output shaft and apply pressure to it. Rotate whichever end you can till you feel the splines engage and get it on thet first 1/2". Depress the button (or twist the ring or pull the ring back) and run the shaft till it bottoms out. Release the button and pull back on the shaft till the locking detent grabs.

I've had three different types of locking mechanisms on my PTO shafts - button to push, ring to twist and a ring to push back. None require any button or ring action to get them started. It is only after the splines are engaged that I need to fiddle with the locking button / ring.

That's very true. The OP was having trouble and the most fool-proof way of explaining it to him was to cover all the bases. I do the same as you.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would only add that you need to be sure the pto shaft will slide (telescope) back and forth a few inches before you attempt to connect it. I pull mine apart and clean and grease these shaft sections often.

 

[KIRMIL]

I would only add that you need to be sure the pto shaft will slide (telescope) back and forth a few inches before you attempt to connect it. I pull mine apart and clean and grease these shaft sections often.

Mine won't budge. It has hard plastic covers on so I can't find where to grease it at. It is a Land Pride cutter which has worked good. Wonder if I can hook a chain to it and pull out with the tractor to loosen?

 

[bigballer]

Bring the PTO shaft to the point where it just kisses the tractor's output shaft and apply pressure to it. Rotate whichever end you can till you feel the splines engage and get it on thet first 1/2". Depress the button (or twist the ring or pull the ring back) and run the shaft till it bottoms out. Release the button and pull back on the shaft till the locking detent grabs.

+++++1

 

[dave1949]

Mine won't budge. It has hard plastic covers on so I can't find where to grease it at. It is a Land Pride cutter which has worked good. Wonder if I can hook a chain to it and pull out with the tractor to loosen?

Well, that explains a lot. You can't possibly hook it up until the shafts slide freely. You could take the pto shaft completely off the mower by disconnecting at the gearbox end. Get it freed up, lube the universal joints (they should have zerks), pto shafts, check gearbox oil, or drain and replace it, etc. Probably needs some TLC.

 

[jenkinsph]

Mine won't budge. It has hard plastic covers on so I can't find where to grease it at. It is a Land Pride cutter which has worked good. Wonder if I can hook a chain to it and pull out with the tractor to loosen?

Could pull it with the tractor, I would pull on it by hand typically and tap with a weighted rubber mallet. Once you get it apart I would remove the plastic covers and clean it up and regrease the tubes so that they slide easily. .Clean and grease the ujoints and check for wear while it is apart. Put the plastic covers back on before using.