Hooking up PTO male end?

VaTractorGirl · Apr 17, 2004

My husband I were trying to hook up the new rear finish mower we purchased to go behind the TC40. We know not a thing about PTO's and the tractor manual didn't really help because technically I guess the drive shaft itself is part of the attachment, which ours didn't come with a manual. So at one point I even jumped on the site and looked in the archives for something to help us. Someone mentioned that you could freely turn the male shaft to line it up, this was not the case with us, or are we doing something wrong? The only way we were able to line it up and get it on was to turn the blades on the mower which inturn turned the shaft.

There must be an easier way. Not to mention the fact that while my husband was umpiring a baseball game, I had a major scuffle with the grease gun, and LOST big time. Everything was going great until it ran out of grease, so I got the new tube, twisted the top off and popped the new one in, and it went downhill from there! We did get the lawn mowed though, well, at least in the front of the house

Rip · Apr 18, 2004

With the tractor engine !! OFF !! , you can usually find a "neutral" position between PTO lever fully engaged and fully disengaged (which also has a brake function) where you can turn the male PTO shaft end by hand. This is easier on some tractors than on others.

If this turns out to be too tedious on your machine, a Free Wheel Clutch is available to fit on the tractor PTO male stub and then your shaft from the mower connects to it. This will not only allow for easier shaft hook-up, but also allow the mower blades to coast to a stop when disengaging the PTO lever. This has its pros and cons, but many folks prefer this type of operation.

The free wheel clutch will not be a NH part, but your dealer should be able to get one easily.

Good Luck, and remember, there are many solutions to most problems.... you have found the fount of knowledge here with TBN, keep on asking.

Don't be embarressed....losing a round (or two or three) with a grease gun is one of the secret initiation rites into the world of heavy machinery. Welcome!!

Rip

DK35vince · Apr 18, 2004

Independant PTO's have a PTO brake that makes aligning for attactments difficult.
I added a overrunning clutch to my PTO for 2 reasons.
1. To save on my PTO brake when turning off my brush mower
2. Makes lining up the PTO splines for implements much easier (turns easily one way for lining up)

Cost of an overrunning clutch at Tractor Supply was around $50

DocHeb · Apr 18, 2004

I have not found a way to rotate the male PTO shaft on my TC40D. I will try the mid-position suggestion for the PTO lever.

I've used a 16" heavy duty screwdriver through the universal joint yoke to help turn the mower blades around. Once you get the splines lined up, there are several different types of locking mechanisms you need to activate to lock the PTO shaft in place.

One type requires a pin to be pushed in, another has a collar that needs to be rotated, and with a third type the collar has to be pulled toward the attachment. Activate the locking device, advance the shaft, and release the locking device.

I don't like grease guns, either.

jimg · Apr 18, 2004

Thats interesting. ON my 24D if the PTO is disengaged it spins freely. You're saying it shouldn't b/c of the PTO brake? Maybe the 24D doesnt have one?

DocHeb · Apr 18, 2004

I'm sorry, but I can't give a reply from experience other than my own tractor. I may have accumulated a lot of posts, but I only have limited experience from my one tractor.

Bird · Apr 18, 2004

Jimg, there are different "types" of PTOs. My Kubotas (as I believe with your TC24D) had a "live" PTO that was engaged/disengaged via the clutch pedal and no PTO brake, so yes, they turn freely by hand when disengaged. But some of the other tractors have a live "independent" PTO that's hydraulically engaged/disengaged, having nothing to do with the clutch, and some of them also have a PTO brake when disengaged, so you can't hardly turn it by hand. It just depends on which tractor you have.

thcri · Apr 18, 2004

Some PTO's have brakes and some don't. Get the overrunning clutch and you will save your brake and it will be easier to line it up. You can pick them up at most places for around $60.00.

murph

Soundguy · Apr 19, 2004

I've used the screwdriver method as well.. however I've found that if I don't have the scredriver handy.. just a bit of pressure on the yoke gets the blade to turn ever so slowly on my 5' kutter.. only gotta turn about a 1/4 of an inch to get it lined up anyway...

Soundguy