Ford 860, PTO Flail Mower disengages pto under load

cerestes · May 17, 2016

One of these days I swear I'll run into something easy that turns out easy. The replacement shaft arrived, but it won't fully insert. It'll go until the cover is maybe 3/8" from seated, and then just stick. I can turn the shaft by hand, and hear gears turning. Shaft doesn't look to be keyed, but I tried rotating it a bit at a time, and still can't get it further in. Any tips and/or steps I'm missing?

Soundguy · May 18, 2016

Bring me up to date, what shaft did you order, from where, have you measured the old one and the new one tip to tip?

cerestes · May 18, 2016

Both old and new are the same length. I was going to call 32-5/8".
The assembly was purchased from here, which says 32-11/16".
Ford 860 PTO Shaft, Conversion Assembly - NCA700-38

Soundguy · May 19, 2016

if it's the exact same length shaft, give it a few taps with a copper or brass mallet.

cerestes · May 20, 2016

Soundguy said:
if it's the exact same length shaft, give it a few taps with a copper or brass mallet.

Mallet got it 95% of the way there. Bolts tightened it up. Can't imagine I'll ever be able to pull it out by hand. Hopefully that won't end up being my problem =p
Hopefully I'll get some time to hook it up to the flail and try it out over the weekend. Thank you for all of the help.

Soundguy · May 20, 2016

Make sure the engagement lever still works. I have seen son with burs on shaft splines that had to be tapped in, but then couldn't be engaged till slid out and filed.

To remove, put a bolt in hole and drive out with hammer, or use a slide hammer to tug it out.

You can clean the splines then smoke with acetylene, reinsert, pull again, and see witness marks where it binds.

Hopefully it just works

cerestes · May 22, 2016

As far as I can tell, it's working great. No engages properly, no vibration on the engage lever. Didn't pop out once. Now to get the flail into better working order. Thanks again for the help Soundguy.