PTO lever stuck

BizDoc · Sep 7, 2012

Mowed Grass tonight with a MMM. All went fine until I wanted to check the operation of the other PTO positions. With the PTO disengaged I moved the lever to the middle position, then to the back position and again to the Middle position, the lever was very stiff, in the mid position, both mid PTO and rear PTO, I engaged the PTO, it groaned and then spun. I wanted to move it back to the first, forward most, position and now it won't go to that position, it is very stiff. Any thoughts?

I don't think this had any bearing on the issue, but tonight also the raising and lowering of the MMM quit, I found an L shaped rod in the back with two nuts on it connecting with the arm to the frame had broken at the front facing nut. I can replace this easily enough, I got it off this evening.

BizDoc · Sep 8, 2012

I've worked all the other levers, and they move fine. Traced the linkage, and all is in tact, no broken parts, on the outside atleast. Lever is extremely stiff, it is stuck in the dual PTO location, yet when I engage the PTO it will not engage. Tried driving it around to see if it would loosen up, but to no avail.

Is there a safety switch somewhere for the PTO?

If the MMM PTO binds will it cause the PTO to not function until the bind is cleared, I would think it would try to come on at least, unless there is a safety/reset switch. There is nothing connected to the rear PTO, just the plastic cap to keep it clean.

I can't get to the Mid PTO until I get the elevation linkage replaced, ordered it today, then I can raise the 3 point hitch so I can slide under and uncouple the MMM connector.

BizDoc · Sep 11, 2012

Called dealer, spoke with mechanic. Was told there was a set of rods/fork interior to the rear assemble that probably got bent somehow. It would mean removing the cab, AGAIN, dismantling the rear rear housing, new parts, reassembly, and replace cab. 8 to 9 hours at, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ per hour. There goes another grand in repairs. Geeze, what if I used this thing for more than just mowing grass? Grief!

The cab may be great in the winter, but it's very costly when needing any type of repair. This is the third time to either completely or partially remove the cab, had to remove it once completely to replace defective hydraulic line, then had to remove bottom plate of cab to get to the plastic safety switch that melted due to heat from rear PTO/Transmission housing, which kept it from starting. Now this.

Still have to wait for the elevation linkage for the right side, to repair the broken MMM elevation linkage, before I can get it to the shop to repair the PTO.

94BULLITT · Sep 11, 2012

I would trace the rods and make sure nothing is bent and try lubricating them before you take it to the dealer but it does not sound good. Good Luck!

Yooperman · Sep 12, 2012

Thanks for posting this because I have a similar problem with my 2 yr old BX25. When I first noticed the problem, all that was necessary to change the PTO selector was to turn off the tractor and restart it. I was than able to move the selector with ease. But, after a time, turning it off didn't always work and I had to drive around awhile before it would work... sometimes the selector would then work properly, sometimes stopping/restarting was still necessary. I figure it has to be some kind of safety switch issue, but I sure can't find it. Puleeeze post the solution if you find one.

rlsmith · Sep 12, 2012

For no better description of this on my BX23, that it feels like it has excess pressure when trying to switch from mid to rear or too mid/rear PTO operation. That is why shutting it off may let some of the pressure be relieved. Now for me when this happens if turning it off don't work I engage the PTO (always at idle) and then when I am disengaging the PTO I try moving the PTO selector to the other setting I want it in. Not a fix all but it has worked for me when this happens. It is like when you are trying to connect hydrolick line that are under pressure, got to relieve the pressure. The PTO safety switch only works to kill the engine if no one is is the seat.

BizDoc · Sep 12, 2012

Got it fixed today. Dealer had me spray WD40 all over the linkage. Said he has seen this before. I used half a can. Initially it didn't work, so I let it set while I washed the tractor and changed the broken elevation linkage, greased some joints. Still did not work after half an hour of soaking, so I put the tractor in High range and ran it down the road, which can be quite bumpy, after about a quarter mile it started to work loose, I got Mid PTO back, so I ran it another quarter mile and then the other two settings eventually came back. I probably haven't changed and engaged the PTO in anything but the Mid PTO for a year (I mow a lot of grass). Guess I'll need to test it more often. I really didn't think the WD40 would work, I keep my tractor clean and the rear housing was very clean, but I guess parts that haven't moved in a while can bind up with interior rust. But I do think the bouncing of the tractor really worked something loose, the oil just assisted.