Mid PTO/Drive Kit/Broom

[timbrehse]

I picked up a used (never used) MF2330 Rotary Broom for my GC2310 TLB. Came complete w/ everything from the Sub Frame / Quick Hitch forward.
But now I realize I need the PTO shaft or kit to connect the mid PTO to the Sub Frame/ Quick Hitch.
Can someone please give me some info? (I know it's 25mm 15 spline shaft)
Part number(s)?
Price?
One more dumb question:
Do I have to remove the whole mid shaft/Sub Frame/Quick Hitch setup when I want to put the loader back on?

 

[wallace]

I can not get the parts break down to up load on here if you shoot me a PM with your email I can send you the parts break downs.

As far as your last question of removal yes you do.

 

[irvingj]

timbrehse-- IF the broom set-up is the same as for the 2360 blower, I respectfully disagree with wallace.... I do occasionally switch from blower to FEL, and the sub-frame & driveshaft assembly does not interfere with FEL operation. One thing I will do, however, is remove the frontmost stub driveshaft, to prevent packing snow or dirt into it- it has a quick disconnect located way back in there.

I raise the shoe, disconnect the quick-hitch hydraulics, coil up the hydraulic lines and simply lay them on the floor while the FEL's on. But this is just for a quick, temporary FEL job. The sub-frame is very easy to remove if you choose to.

The only other detriment is that you won't have the grille guard in place, so you need to be careful when pushing the FEL into a pile. Not so much of a problem with snow, but dirt/stones could impact the front of the tractor if you're not careful.

 

[timbrehse]

Thanks Wallace- I pm'd this morn.

timbrehse--
...you won't have the grille guard in place, so you need to be careful when pushing the FEL into a pile. Not so much of a problem with snow, but dirt/stones could impact the front of the tractor if you're not careful.

Didn't even think about that - having to remove the grill guard.
I realize now I'm short the manual for the subframe/quick hitch.
(unit came w/ the MF 2330 operator instruction book only) I'm sure, if I can get my hands on one, a lot of my questions will be answered.
So is there yet another separate Mid PTO Drive Kit manual as well?

Irving: Thanks for posting the photo's
I can see by nature of how low & out front the subframe rides, it'll have to come off. Most of the work I do w/ the FEL would destroy it.
As it is, I'm constantly replacing the zerts on the FEL's upper pivot pins.
I imagine removing the sub frame means removing the whole mid PTO shaft/setup as well?
It's not like I'll be mounting & removing the broom often.
It's primary use will be getting rid of all the sand I lay down on my driveway throughout the winter.
For that reason, I'm thinking about ordering the optional Side Caster Wheels (p/n 8303201 ?)
(I might get brave & try using it to de-thatch, I'll just need to find a "practice area" first)

 

[irvingj]

"I can see by nature of how low & out front the subframe rides, it'll have to come off."

I thought about that afterward-- if you're into dirt, absolutley. (Apologies, wallace!) The only time I have the subframe on is to use the snowblower, so swapping for the FEL to move snow is not nearly the same thing!

"I imagine removing the sub frame means removing the whole mid PTO shaft/setup as well?"

The mid-PTO driveshaft comes off very easily-- trip the quick-release on the rear at transaxle and slide driveshaft forward over splined shaft in subframe, drop rear, then pull rearward to slip off subframe's splined shaft, 1-2-3.

The subframe itself is only held on by its hanger flange (hooks onto front of tractor frame) and a large T-handled bolt, so it's also easy to remove. You might want to have a wheeled dolly handy, though-- it's heavy enough you wouldn't want to carry it too far. Once the broom or blower's off, only takes about 5 minutes to remove driveshaft and subframe, if that.

One thing you want to be sure to do is to check the 2 setscrews that hold the subframe's stub shaft in the 2 bearings-- there've been some problems with those loosening up on some units. Have fun!

 

[irvingj]

timbrehse-- we got about 18" last night, so I've been blowing... here are some better shots of driveshaft extension, sub-frame, and T-bolt with hanging lip that supports the subframe. (For the first time, I snapped the impeller shearbolt... now have a small job to take care of! )

Hopefully you can see the quick release at the rear of the driveshaft, as well as the splined slip-joint at the front of the drivesahft/rear of subframe.

 

[jaybrad]

irvingj - we got the same storm and it's just winding down now. So I'm about to start clearing our driveway.

BTW - I *really* like the pictures of your tractor with the snow blower AND the backhoe attached.

Jay
Enjoying winter in central Maine.

 

[timbrehse]

Thanks for the photos IrvingJ - exactly what I needed to see.
I realize now one must steer clear of any kind of rough terrain w/ the mid shaft and sub frame attached.
Now all I need is a Part # & Price for the mid shaft.

BTW - I feel a little like a wimp now.
You're out running a snowblower on an open tractor w/ 18" on the ground?
Hope your driveway is short.
Mine's about 1/8mi and steep.
This tank has an auto start & is nice & toasty before I'll even put my boots on!

 

[irvingj]

There are those of us who WISH we had a cab....

No, my driveway's not as long as yours, but it ain't short, either-- about 200' uphill for the main "driveway" part (only 12' wide!), then a large turn-aound area in front of the garage, with a side off to a shed, and I keep a path clear all around the house- I like to have all exits available.

Used to take 3-1/2 to 5 hrs with a walk-behind, now takes 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. After last winter's storms, I decided it was time to get a tractor; had been thinking about it for at least 7 years.

Jaybrad--I had already "dusted off" the tractor a bit --hood & dash-- before the photo was taken; I looked like a snowman! The wind was fierce all day today, but I got out early enough that I missed the worst of it. We were pretty much done with it by 7AM or earlier, but it sounds like you folks continued to get snow throughout the morning. I'll post a pic of my daughter's Volvo --not that you'd recognize it-- but you can see the effect of the overnight wind & snow!

 

[timbrehse]

IrvingJ- When my neighbor retired from plowing, no one else wanted the job.
There's peace of mind and practicality in being self sufficient (& a lot easier pushing down hill.) We have a deep ravine across the road so I don't skimp on layin down the salt/sand mix.
It's why I got the broom.
By the end of the season it's hard to tell the d-way's paved.

One year, when I was still running urethane cutting edges on the truck, we had 3" of ice w/ 8" of snow on top.Truck was useless.
Had to crank up the Massey & scrape the whole d-way and a good sized parking area on top w/ the FEL.
Wouldn't want to have to do it on a reg. basis - It wasn't fun.
I love my TLB- have a little over 400hrs on it.
But I like it best when the canopy keeps me from being sun fried.