Hooking up PTO

[9973720wb19]

When I first got my my JD 3720, I thought about sending it back! I remember sweating and swearing up to 45 minuites at a time trying to put attachments on my PTO. My tractor has a mid and rear PTO. I found out (by accident) that if the lever (in the cab) is switched to the mid PTO, the rear one spins free...it's soooo easy now to hook up attachments. I would never remove the PTO safty cover, just take a bungee cord and temp. hook it up around something so its out of the way. Never hook anything up with the engine running.

 

[swmich42]

I too have experienced the frustration of trying to hook up my first PTO driven implement; L. Pride 2572 finish mower, about three weeks ago. Between getting the collar back on the PTO shaft coupler, lining up the shaft, having never done this before, and it being about 10:00pm in the pole barn, I gave up for the night, and went at it in the morning. I discovered the PTO collar was not allowing the spring loaded ball-bearing keepers from releasing. Worked at it a little more and finally got these released enough to get the shaft on. Ran the mower, and everything worked. However I noticed the collar had not released correctly, and the shaft could be slid back off, without dis-engaging the collar. (sticky release) I have had it soaking in oil bath and will check it again soon. Question for the group is: if this does not release correctly, how do I and is it an easy operation, to change the PTO coupler?

 

[Chilly807]

Generally speaking , the best way is to slide the coupler fully ahead while the collar is held back. Then release the collar and slide the coupler toward you, it should "snap" as the balls fall in place under spring pressure and you won't be able to move it any further toward you without moving the collar again.

Parts should still be available for that finish mower coupler, there really isn't much to them once you have them apart. The whole coupler isn't cheap to replace, it's likely only a broken spring or crud keeping it from working right.

They aren't hard to replace, just pricey. If you DO replace it, I'd recommend the spring-loaded pin type a la Eurocardan.

Sean

 

[clemsonfor]

or leave the PTO stub in neutral. Alignment is critical, so one or the other has to move.

If its not in neutral it will be spinning right, i hope no one leaves the pto in gear while trying this!

 

[Soundguy]

I'm pretty sure he is talking about a machine that has a multi speed pto, and when in the neutral setting, you can spin the shaft, vs being int he 540 , 760 or 1000 rpm setting that some machines have.

soundguy

 

[TGF]

its late in the thread but I have found the best way at least for me is don't be afraid to get dirty and greasy. I grab the PTO shaft right on the greasiest nastiest part of the u-joint and pull the ring back then just shove it on. Gives me just the right angle and leverage to twist and push as needed.

 

[Elkins45]

its late in the thread but I have found the best way at least for me is don't be afraid to get dirty and greasy. I grab the PTO shaft right on the greasiest nastiest part of the u-joint and pull the ring back then just shove it on. Gives me just the right angle and leverage to twist and push as needed.

My Dad has some implements with the ring coupler and I hate it! I much prefer the ones where you push in the pin from the side. It's a major PITA to be pushing in opposite directions at once. You have to pull back on the ring while simultaneously pushing forward on the coupler. Not a great design in my opinion.

 

[aczlan]

My Dad has some implements with the ring coupler and I hate it! I much prefer the ones where you push in the pin from the side. It's a major PITA to be pushing in opposite directions at once. You have to pull back on the ring while simultaneously pushing forward on the coupler. Not a great design in my opinion.

The only one that is worse is the ones where you rotate a ring to unlock the connection. We have one on our Kubota tiller.

Aaron Z

 

[taborekle]

I also think it's good safty to turn the tractor off before hooking and unhooking the PTO.

I ditto that it helps if the implement PTO shaft is level with the tractor pto nub.

My dealer showed me a trick. WITHOUT pulling back the collar, you should be able to slide the pto about a 1/2 inch onto the nub. Once that mating is done, you should be able to slide the collar back while you push it on the rest of the way.

 

[Soundguy]

hard NOT to get dirty when dealing with the pto yoke.. just one of those things..

soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

My dealer showed me a trick. WITHOUT pulling back the collar, you should be able to slide the pto about a 1/2 inch onto the nub. Once that mating is done, you should be able to slide the collar back while you push it on the rest of the way.

That works well with any type of PTO Driveline yoke...I do it all the time with mine (push pin lock).