PTO hook-up question

[TigerfaninAR]

Have a brand new finish mower and was hooking up the PTO tonight and it was a big pia. A brush hog was my first pto implement and it hooked on with just a little nudge after greasing both ends. This finish mower has a big guard which doesn't leave much working room to begin with. I first put it on but didn't feel that click and have that little play it has when on the tractor end that you know you're on. I started on and it came off on the mower end. Luckily the throttle was fairly low and I was keeping an eye on everything.

I greased both ends and for the life of me I can't get it to click. When I was done this evening I was going to give up and pull it off to fight again tomorrow. Now its either stuck or its on. The button feels like its half pressed. I made a slow pass with the mower on thinking it would come off (yea, I know not the way to do it) but didn't. I'll do my best to get it off tomorrow and start over but anything I'm missing or tricks of the trade? :confused2:

 

[beenthere]

Are both ends the slide-on and click? I've not seen that type. Usually the mower end is fixed with either a slip clutch or a shear bolt.

Which finish mower do you have?

 

[greg_g]

Remove it from the tractor end, then separate the two halves. That will give you more room and leverage to work on the stuck half. When you depress the release pin on the implement end, push forward first while applying pressure to the button. That might permit you to depress further. If yes, you might then be able to then pull it free.

Once it's off, inspect the mower input shaft. There might be a burr somewhere that was holding it. Then check the inside of the troublesome end. Check the spline slots for burrs. Then twist the release pin, it should rotate past 360 degrees. Check the pin for burrs, or flat spots, or an out of round condition. If it still sticks, use penetrating oil to loosen it up. Once free, keep it that way with a finger of grease.

//greg//

 

[MicroPilot]

Why are you removing the PTO shaft from the mower?

 

[bp fick]

TigerFan just got his RFM. I got mine a month earlier. Same unit. The drive shaft has to be shortened and then installed on the mower. That is the way it comes.

I can only tell you that mine was a pistol as well. I didn't think I would ever get my hand in there and hear that distinctive "click". The shroud is limiting, that's for sure.

I don't know if this is because everything was new or what. Yes, I greased both ends well before beginning, but it was a PITA. It finally went.

No way I was going to fire it up without being sure. Let us know us how this turns out.

 

[beenthere]

Which brand/model rfm is it?

 

[bp fick]

Marketed under a number of names, but a Sicma. Italian. A great mower.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks bp
It does look like it would do the job.

And if that PTO shroud was in my way, I'd just remove it.
It serves no useful purpose, as no one would be operating the PTO when someone was near or on the rfm. Get it the heck out of the way, or trimmed back where it isn't in the way.
Still surprised that both ends of the PTO shaft use the slide on and lock mechanism, rather than a shear bolt. But I learn something new every day.

 

[soulasphil]

A slide on end and a shear bolt are not mutually exclusive. My PTO shaft has a slide on head on the implement side that incorporates a shear bolt.

 

[greg_g]

But I learn something new every day.

Not uncommon with belt drive implements. Belts will slip before a bolt will shear. PTO shaft on my flail mower has QR on both ends too.

//greg//

 

[TigerfaninAR]

Finally done.

Got it off the mower end and inspected it closely and found a very small piece of metal/plastic that was obstructing some of the opening when you depressed the release button. A quick grab with the pliers and it went on as it should.

Changing the mowing height was another PIA but thats another thread I guess. It's set so won't have to worry with that again.

3.5 hours of mowing and the unit did great. It was only 107 today but tractor and operator had a good time.

 

[Earl Ohl]

Marketed under a number of names, but a Sicma. Italian. A great mower.

I had that same bell-shaped thing on my PTO generator where the PTO shaft attaches to the gear box. Now I'm not a big fan of removing guards from equipment, but there I had to. I'm 6ft. 5in. tall & weigh over 350 lbs. & have hands & arms to match & no way in H**L could I get my fingers in there to work that collar. It makes you wonder who designes some of this stuff. Not everyone is 5ft. 4in & 120 lbs.