Rotary Cutter Locking collar ball stuck

[redka]

Tried to hook up the bush hog today, but the locking ball inside the yoke is stuck and won't recede when the slip collar is pulled back. Therefore I cannot get the yoke completely onto the pto shaft. I sprayed some lubricant around the slip collar crack and into the yoke, but never could get the ball freed up. Never happened before. What could be causing it to be stuck like this, and what to do to get it loose? Thanks

 

[lostcreekranch]

May just be jammed with old grease and dirt?

Spray it down with some good degreaser then blow it out with compressed air. Repeat once or twice then use a lube like fluid film. Keep working it until it frees up.

I use the Simple Green Degreaser. Comes in gallon jugs from Home Depot.

Good luck!

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[Steave]

Not for sure but can you put a screw driver or something inside the yoke to pry a little on the ball while pulling on the collar and keep spraying. Maybe tap on it with a hammer but dont beat on it. It just sounds stuck from sitting up a couple months. I got some old equipment I'll have to do that to this spring if I forgot to oil it before putting up.

 

[Mendonsy]

Mine has done that a couple of times also, but soaking it overnight with some penetrating oil has always worked to get it loose.

 

[lostcreekranch]

This one.



About $14 at Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon.

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[Farmer495]

Even better when it gets STUCK ON THE TRACTOR...

You learn how to disassemble quick and pop the balls out.

 

[oosik]

When the collar on my chipper pto shaft get stiff its usually dirt, dust, sawdust & old dry grease. Fluid film, WD40 or some brand of penetrating oil & let it sit over night. When it finally does free up - clean it well and lube with a light grease.

 

[ovrszd]

Good advice so far. I'll only add. Frequent cleaning and lubrication is your friend. For something like this I like spray white lithium grease. Doesn't collect dust as bad as regular grease or oil.

 

[redka]

Thanks for the replies. I did spray it pretty good with a diesel based penetrating oil before I left. I'll check on it tomorrow.
Farmer 945...I sure hope I never have that one!

 

[Egon]

Get underneath with a sturdy pry bar or hammer and chisel. Try and hammer the slip catch towards the back.

Bumping the hitch with release up will sometimes help.

 

[Soundguy]

when i have bought old pto equipment at auction, usually they have stuck yokes, etc.

I put the end in my parts washer or in a can of diesel and let it set a day or 2.. that usually softens any old dried hard grease and lets dirt and stuff fall to the bottom of the can.. usually starts moving ok after that.

 

[redka]

An update. I finally got it working. After spraying it several times with penetrating oil and no success I resorted to taking it apart to look closer. I did not find anything gummed up or stuck. Then figured out the three balls were not receding deep enough to allow the thing to slide onto the pto shaft. Then finally realized the flexible rubber cover around the retractable collar had slipped(or been unknowingly pushed) from under the spring and up just a bit and not allowing the collar to retract far enough to let the balls recede. Put it back together correctly and now working fine.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[oosik]

Hey, good to hear you found out what was wrong and got it fixed. Sometimes its something that you never think of. Sounds like its well greased now - ha,ha.

 

[Soundguy]

glad to hear a report back!