Rotary Cutter newbie bush hog question

[Papasmith]

I would come to an accurate assessment as to how used this mower is before I bought a new pto shaft. You might have other problems as well and the new shaft could be wasted money.

With that said, I would not give up on trying to separate the two pieces of the shaft. Get with a good ole country boy with a good sized tractor or some expertise working with equipment. I am sure he can help you get it apart or, give you some good advice on what to do.

Also, I agree about the protective sleeve but, I think that Tractor Supply and others have replacements for not too much.

Dave in NC

 

[Gary Fowler]

One more thing you might try if the shaft is not completely shoved together, you might try heating it up, get it really hot with an oxyacetylene torch. Try to keep the male end cool as possible by wrapping in wet rags. When it is hot try driving the shafts together a little. IF you can get it to move even a small amount, then get some lubrication or penetrant solution into the joint, and just pound it back and forth. IT is possible that you may have kinked it slightly when trying to pull it apart with your tractor and now it might just be wedged together. If you get a straight line driving or pulling method you may be able to move it in then work it back out. If you ever get it to move just a little, it should come on out. You might even want to disassemble the u joints, so you are just dealing with the shaft ends. that will make it much easier to handle and to pull with a straight pull