how to drill out stuck PTO shear bolt?

[2manyrocks]

The shear bolt on my 6' rotary cutter is really stuck. Cut the bolt head off and tried driving it out from both sides. The bolt will only move about 3/8" in before it won't go any further.

It isn't rusted in place. I'm guessing it is partially sheared?

At this point, I'm guessing my only option is to drill it out. It's a 1/2 inch regular bolt.

How do I drill it out without boring out the PTO collar and the PTO shaft by mistake? I would think I would first need to drill a pilot hole, but I would probably get it off center.

 

[ptsg]

I imagine the hole in the shaft is not aligned with the hole in the yoke anymore, so it doesn't allow you push the bolt any further. Can you slide the yoke out? That would help a lot and most likely allow you to remove all the broken pieces much more easily.

There is usually a circlip at the end of the shaft that prevents the yoke to just slide out. It needs to be removed first.

Every time I see this design of shear bolt, it just makes my eyes twitch. It's just terrible.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks. I hadn't thought of that.

There is a safety circlip.

I was able to mow with it a month ago when I parked it. Turning the PTO shaft still turns the blades. I don't think the bolt is entirely sheared, but will check it in the daylight tomorrow.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I would engage it more and maybe mow until it is sheared the rest of the way off on that side, then it'll just be a 1/2" shaft in the implement shaft, line up the holes then it will come out without much fuss, being partially sheared there's a lot of force involved...

 

[ruffdog]

I would engage it more and maybe mow until it is sheared the rest of the way off on that side, then it'll just be a 1/2" shaft in the implement shaft, line up the holes then it will come out without much fuss, being partially sheared there's a lot of force involved...

I would first flood it with penetrating fluid, go mow some rough stuff, then maybe it gets loosened up a bit. I would not have a problem drilling just down through the yoke on each side then.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

What RangerFred said. If it still turns then run it until it shears. Otherwise you are dealing with a major challenge. Once it shears completely it should be easy peasy.

 

[joecdeere]

My Dad had one like that, after I got it off, I scribed a line on the shaft so I would know if it had begun to shear or in fact had and was just hanging. Also makes it easier when putting shaft back on for lining up the hole.

 

[D&D]

The shear bolt on my 6' rotary cutter is really stuck. Cut the bolt head off and tried driving it out from both sides. The bolt will only move about 3/8" in before it won't go any further.

It isn't rusted in place. I'm guessing it is partially sheared?

At this point, I'm guessing my only option is to drill it out. It's a 1/2 inch regular bolt.

How do I drill it out without boring out the PTO collar and the PTO shaft by mistake? I would think I would first need to drill a pilot hole, but I would probably get it off center.


View attachment 4567249View attachment 4567250

Someone used a regular bolt. You now have something that looks like this ~. As was suggested, just run it and see if it ever breaks. Second option is to drill out both sides of just the yoke (pto shaft is off-center, don’t drill into) then use two large wrenches/pliers to twist off the yoke. Third option is to cut off the “tabs” on the yoke holding the bolt. Good luck

 

[LouNY]

Many of those pto bolts are not regular straight bolts many are tapered or conical bolts.

a search will show numerous different sizes of conical pto bolts.
These bolts are attaching bolts not usually considered shear bolts.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks for all the ideas.

The bolt that is stuck is just a regular bolt from TSC. It's not tapered or conical.

Any thoughts on trying to use an air hammer to drive it out? Might jamb it even worse?