JD 2305 with 54c mid mount mower PTO connection issue

[netwayne]

Hello,

While recently mowing with the 54c mower deck, we had the PTO (female end from the deck) disconnect from the spline (male end on tractor). I didn't witness this happen. There doesn't appear to be any damage done with it coming disconnected while running the deck but now we are having trouble keeping the female end "in the cocked position" to try and re-establish the connection with the tractor. Curious if anyone else has experienced this while attempting to make PTO connections.

Thank you for any replies!

 

[beenthere]

May have bent something in that locking collar.. there is a spring in there.
Remove the snap ring and the collar, spring, and a locking ball should come off.
Inspect the parts, clean them, and replace a part if they don't look right.

 

[ovrszd]

Or slip the female part onto the male part until it won't go any further. Then pull the locking collar toward the mower/away from the tractor while holding the shaft in place. Then push the female part further onto the male part and release the collar. Move the female part until the collar locks in place.

Yours came apart because you didn't ensure the collar was locked when it was installed previously. I visually look at mine to make sure it's locked every time I install the deck.

 

[netwayne]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your replies. I will look at both suggestions and see what's going on. Yeah we probably didn't have the collar fully engaged. Taking that deck on and off is a little bit of a PITA from the standpoint that the deck is pretty heavy and if you aren't on perfectly level ground, you can't get the thing out without interference from components underneath. JD didn't provide much clearance. I'm sure that fight to get the deck on that day had something to do with that PTO collar not being fully snapped in. Kinda wished we had bought the drive over deck now. I'll post back what the resolution was. Thanks again.

 

[beenthere]

On some of the tractors the PTO can be reached a bit easier from behind and underneath. Might not be on the 2305, but worth a try.
The wrist doesn't bend well and offer much strength when reaching in from the front... I've found out.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm blessed with a smooth concrete shop floor to drop my deck on. Even then the top of the deck gear box hits the lift arms under the tractor. Have to yank it a bit to get it out/in. Would be a mess to do on uneven dirt or gravel.

I hook/unhook my PTO by reaching in front of the left rear tire. Usually can't see what I'm doing. After sliding the PTO shaft onto the tractor shaft I listen for the click of the collar locking. Last thing I do is feel with my fingers to make sure the collar has truly slid rearward until it's flush with the splined yoke.

 

[netwayne]

I have found the best way to get at it is to lay down next to the tractor facing aft and make the connection with my left hand. In this case, I can actually see the spline and the access with my arm and hand is good. That part of the dealing with the deck isn't too bad, it's more the jockeying the thing and then dealing with an issue if we are on uneven ground that has led to some frustration. I wasn't the one that made the connection that came apart but it is the first time it has happened to us. Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[netwayne]

I'm blessed with a smooth concrete shop floor to drop my deck on. Even then the top of the deck gear box hits the lift arms under the tractor. Have to yank it a bit to get it out/in. Would be a mess to do on uneven dirt or gravel.

I hook/unhook my PTO by reaching in front of the left rear tire. Usually can't see what I'm doing. After sliding the PTO shaft onto the tractor shaft I listen for the click of the collar locking. Last thing I do is feel with my fingers to make sure the collar has truly slid rearward until it's flush with the splined yoke.

Yeah I am about at that point to use the garage floor as the official mounting and dismounting area for the deck. I haven't stored the deck in the garage for space reasons but I just may have to look into that wheel kit again that allows you to stand the deck up on it's end to free up floor space. I think I didn't want to spend that much last time I looked into it but it might be worth it at this point to stop hassling with the deck outside on our property because of uneven ground. Thanks for your post!

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah I am about at that point to use the garage floor as the official mounting and dismounting area for the deck. I haven't stored the deck in the garage for space reasons but I just may have to look into that wheel kit again that allows you to stand the deck up on it's end to free up floor space. I think I didn't want to spend that much last time I looked into it but it might be worth it at this point to stop hassling with the deck outside on our property because of uneven ground. Thanks for your post!

I store my deck in the shop. Built a wheel kit that stands it on it's rear end. Solids on one end. Swivels on the other. Takes up about 10" of space along a wall.

 

[jsb2b]

I stand my 62C up on the rear wheels (in the locked deck removal (turned) position), put a length of 4"x4" lumber under the rear lift brackets, and I bungee cord the drive shaft against the deck. Hasn't fallen over in 9 years. If you have a hard time installing the drive shaft, jack up the left rear and remove the wheel. May be a PIA but everything is right there in the open.