PTO shaft attachment

RoyJackson · Apr 11, 2002

To prevent sticking problems, is there something good to use before you park implements for the winter?

I use WD40 first (displaces any moisture), then apply grease (same as I lube the zerk fittings with). I also do this to the PTO shaft on the tractor.
I'm sure there are better products, but I use what is on hand.

By the way, the JD Model 60 Loader manual also suggests a light coating of grease on the piston rods of the cylinders if stored or not used for an extended time.

By the way, Bob...you ain't the first one on TBN to ask how to install a PTO. My question (few months back) was how to remove it.

Bob_Trevithick · Apr 14, 2002

...By the way, Bob...you ain't the first one on TBN to ask how to install a PTO. My question (few months back) was how to remove it. 

Good to know.. especially since it appears I am stuck yet again! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Got my tiller all hooked up, except for the darned PTO shaft. I can align the splines and the shaft slides right on.. but it stops short of the point where it snaps into position. I slides right along, and then clunk.. it stops dead and nothing I've tried yet has been able to get it on any further.

I can pull back on the release ring (which I'm not even sure you have to do when installing as opposed to removing the shaft), I can have the tiller lifted a small amount so I can rotate it to allow the splines to align further, but nothing seems to get it all the way onto the tractor so it locks.

Any hints?

Oh, it's a JD 4300 and JD 550 tiller, and when they delivered the tractor they had the tiller installed.. so I'm pretty sure it should work.

Thanks!

RoyJackson · Apr 14, 2002

but it stops short of the point where it snaps into position...

First!! Put the key to the tractor IN YOUR POCKET!!!

Can you release the PTO Shaft from the tiller (implement end)? Then see if it will lock into place on your tractor PTO...

If that's the case, the PTO shaft may be set up a bit short.

Since it worked before, it may be just how your toplink length is set.

So, do this first (before you disconnect from the implement as suggested above!), hook up the lower links and the top link. Remember, the PTO shaft is collapsible....collapse the shaft somewhat for now.

Shorten the top link as much as you can...but as you shorten the top link, try hooking the PTO shaft (to the tractor) occasionally. You may find the shaft was cut down enough to ensure no binding or hitting the implement at any height of the 3PH (when raised or lowered) at a specific top link length.

By shortening the top link, you are bringing the implement gearbox closer to the tractor PTO, thereby reducing the required length of the PTO shaft.

Bird · Apr 14, 2002

Bob, you should be able to hold that release ring back while you slide the coupler all the way on, then release the ring and pull back on it and it should snap and lock in place. I'm not saying it'll work, but it should.

Dozernut · Apr 14, 2002

Wal-Mart sells a lubricant called "Phabulous Blaster". This is a penetrating oil and will not evaporate like "WD 40". It comes in a spray can and works quite well. You can buy lithium grease in a spray can at a farm supply store, this is excellent for coating those cylinders and for chains. The only dumb question is the one unasked!

Egon · Apr 14, 2002

Bob:

Bring it up here as per earlier suggestion. Together we'll get it to work and then we can try it out for several days just to make sure all is well. There's a dealer not that far away if all else fails.

Try putting it on with the PTO shaft horizontal with the splined tractor drive shaft. Raise the tiller to do this.Have you checked the inside to see if it's hiding a rock or some such other piece of debri?
Egon

Bob_Trevithick · Apr 14, 2002

...Try putting it on with the PTO shaft horizontal with the splined tractor drive shaft. Raise the tiller to do this.Have you checked the inside to see if it's hiding a rock or some such other piece of debri? 

Well, putting together the various suggestions here, I tried disconnecting from the tiller, and still nothing. Then I examined it all very carefully to make sure nothing was hiding in there. Nada. So, I liberally coated the surfaces with good grease.. even though it was pretty well coated to start with, and voila.. just like Bird said.. it went right on and locked. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Thanks guys! I just tilled up three rows of about 150 feet or so each, and it worked like a charm. Three times I heard a clank, and my engine started to bog. A quick hand on the PTO lever prevented a stall, and it worked fine again. Little rocks getting hooked up in the tines I guess. Is this normal behavior for the clutch.. i.e., that everything starts to slow down as opposed to instantly jamming and stalling in a second? It sure beats the belt driven garden tractor tiller we used last year. This thing doesn't mess around. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks again..

Bob

Anonymous Poster · Apr 14, 2002

My BX will stall if a big rock gets caught in the tines. Im using a slip clutch.

Egon · Apr 14, 2002

Bob:

Does this mean I'm going to have to fix my own tiller and use it instead of yours???

Egon

Bob_Trevithick · Apr 14, 2002

...Does this mean I'm going to have to fix my own tiller and use it instead of yours???

Ya know Egon, all the help you've been to me.. I'd be willing to bring the tiller up to Nova Scotia and let you use it. Or do it for you. But then I'd be depriving you of the fun of fixing yours, which would be criminal of me. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Have you ever thought of moving near to Rochester, NY?? Think of the fun we could have! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

In the meantime, I think I've discovered a trusism of life.. a little grease helps everything. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif