Ford 4000 kicking out PTO

Old Virginia Joe · Sep 18, 2013

Has anyone had any experience with a Ford 4000 1963 kicking out of the PTO when mowing or other uses? Mine has kicked out of gear several times, when under a load. Mostly it does it if I am bush hogging some significant saplings, or the blade slices through a hump of dirt. Is it supposed to do this to save the transmission or clutch or shear bolt, or not? I could bungy cord it in place, but that may not be smart. The PTO is nice and tight in the rear end, no slop or looseness at all. Just wondering about this. I'm going along fine, and all of a sudden the blade is not turning, and I see under the seat the PTO lever has moved forward, out of gear. Thanks for your opinions.

RickB · Sep 19, 2013

You have a problem within the detent assembly for the PTO shift lever, or a twist in the PTO shaft's front splines.

Kirk-NJ · Sep 19, 2013

There is a fork at the end of the shifter rod that has a nut on it that sometime works loose. The shifter rail itself could have a worn groove or a flat spot on the ball or weak spring. Or it couple be something in the assembly as stated.

Kirk

Old Virginia Joe · Sep 19, 2013

OK, thanks. Having said those possibilties, until I can look into fixing it formally, would I be OK to rig a "tie-back" hook to keep it engaged, or would that cause any damage?

Soundguy · Sep 19, 2013

ditto what Rick sid.

if there is no thrust play at the shaft ( bearing / carrier damage ).. then check that detent and shifter mech..

any damage to the shaft stub itself you can see?

Old Virginia Joe · Sep 20, 2013

Soundguy said:
ditto what Rick sid.

if there is no thrust play at the shaft ( bearing / carrier damage ).. then check that detent and shifter mech..

any damage to the shaft stub itself you can see?

The end of the PTO shaft looks completely normal to me.