PTO SHAFT??

[tinman955]

So am I the only one who has trouble hooking up PTO shafts to impliments and tractor? I absolutly have nothing but trouble everytime I hook up anything with a PTO shaft:confused2:

So what is the secret?? Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

 

[nybirdman]

Grease both male and female ends,what I found that helps alot is ,hook-up three point connections and RAISE IMPLEMENT a little,this lets you rotate the pto shaft to line up with splines.:thumbsup:

 

[tinman955]

I greased everything which now gets yr hands all greasy and slippery

My tiller I can rotate blades to get things to line up which helps.

But my RFM is a pain in the butt, cant get splines lined up. I fight it, I try to hook up tractor first, then impliment still no luck.:confused2:

 

[beenthere]

Usually one can slide the female onto the male about 1/4 - 1/2" before pressing the button down (I put WD-40 or equivalent on that button). With the button down, slide it on the rest of the way (I don't use grease as it seems to build up with dust and grime over time with grease for me anyway). I spray some WD-40 on the both before assembling. Also, protect the PTO end from being on the ground and catching a lot of water while the attachment is stored, if outside. If there is grease/dirt/grime on the connections, spray with Brake cleaner to clean them up well before trying to slide them together. Get any new paint off if possible. Some tractors come with paint on the male PTO end, and it takes up needed space/tolerance. Clean and dry is the best. No grease on the hands and not slippery to handle.

Some PTO connections have a twist ring that locks/unlocks. Keep these clean as well.

But likely most of us have similar frustrations being in an awkward, hard-to-reach from a difficult position to stand while connecting the PTO. Sometimes they go together real easy, and other times it seems to be a battle.
If I put the PTO on the tractor in neutral (I can on my model JD 4300), the PTO turns very slowly, making alignment easy to do for that first 1/2" or so. Then punch the button and slide on the rest of the way.

 

[RoyJackson]

Grease both male and female ends,what I found that helps alot is ,hook-up three point connections and RAISE IMPLEMENT a little,this lets you rotate the pto shaft to line up with splines.:thumbsup:

I use a spray on white grease (residue is the lubricant and keeps the PTO shaft slick without attracting too much crap). I've never tried raising the implement...just rotate the tractor's shaft a bit (as described in BeenThere's post above). However, I think I will try that (raising the implement a bit) next time I rig a driven implement to the tractor.

 

[DK35vince]

I had trouble hooking up 3 point implements when I first got my DK 35.
The problem I had was the PTO shaft on the tractor has a PTO brake. (Couldn't rotate the shaft to line up the splines.)
The CT450 also has a PTO brake and it sounds like your having the same problem I did.
I put a overrunning clutch on the tractors PTO shaft (cost was around $50).
Now I can rotate the PTO shaft to line up the splines and my mowers and tiller go on with ease.
An overrun clutch adds a few inches to the tractors PTO shaft, so you may need to shorten you implements drive shaft.

 

[NSBound]

I've tried a few things and I've had luck changing the height of the implement by just a few inches and trying it again. If the splines don't want to align, I either raise or lower the 3PH a few inches and it almost always goes on. (This after starting with the implement around 1/2 way up). I don't dread having to change implements any more!

 

[tinman955]

Lots of good info and ideas I appreciate them and I will try and see what works the best with me.

Like Vince said lining up the splines is the hardest part for me. Cant turn it get lined up very easy.

 

[tinman955]

Do you guys hook tractor first or impliment?

 

[bjr]

I try and remember to not get closer than 1"-2" from implement pins then climb down and hook PTO to tractor then get back on tractor and back up remaining distance and get back down from tractor and hook draft arms to pins and then top link,so, I stay fit and trim from all the excercise. Having a little working room between tractor and implement is a help. I've a splined slip shaft on my tiller and it's a pain because the sliding part is so short, instead of the tube and shaft like newer triangle type shafts that are full length slide. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I don't have the over the PTO shaft guard on my tractor. I know it's a safety sheild, but, I just can't work the PTO coupler on with that bloomin' thing in the way. I'm kind old and slow and packing around more weight than I should so I'm not as flexible as in my earlier years and I need things to be easy. bjr

 

[beenthere]

bjr
I also removed the PTO cover from the tractor.
Not so much excercise, as I have the iMatch quick hitch, so just back up to the implement, attach to the iMatch, put the PTO in neutral...then get off and hook the PTO up. One time off the tractor and all of one to two minutes.
I like the iMatch Need to re-work my recent tiller purchase to fit the iMatch, as it is the last "dog" standing.

 

[brin]

I will add this tip....When my PTO driven equipment is not in use I spray WD-40 all over the PTO shaft connection inside and out and then slice it into a quart size zip lock bag and close it around the shaft with the zip lock...Glad bag with zip lock...then the next time I use it ..no rust, dust or grime build up..it has worked great especially when storing for the winter.

 

[Chilly807]

I will add this tip....When my PTO driven equipment is not in use I spray WD-40 all over the PTO shaft connection inside and out and then slice it into a quart size zip lock bag and close it around the shaft with the zip lock...Glad bag with zip lock...then the next time I use it ..no rust, dust or grime build up..it has worked great especially when storing for the winter.

I take the tractor half of the PTO shaft with me into the garage, it keeps it out of the weather. I use a plastic bag and a bit of electrical tape for the same purpose Bob does for the remaining end of the shaft if it's not going to be used for a while.

It does one more thing, although I hope it never has to. If someone decides they want the implement more than I do, they're going to be shopping for a half-shaft. We don't have many tractor dealers locally, I'll be asking who's been shopping for parts lately.

Sean

 

[sweettractors]

Do you guys hook tractor first or impliment?

I always hook to the tractor and leave PTO connected to the implement all the time. If you have a PTO brake on your tractor, you may be able to get back in the drivers seat and bump the PTO a few turns and try again. Repeat this procedure until all splines line up. Then slider on. Beats trying to lug a implement around. Ken Sweet

 

[budlite]

The most difficultly I've had was aligning the splines. I found using a large screwdriver to rotate the implement PTO connector makes it easier to do this. I also use some 6x6 and 2x6 scraps to hold the PTO shaft if I don't have a helper.

 

[Soundguy]

clean and greas the telescoping shafts, keep the female yoke end cleaned and lubed. I slip a baggie over mine and rubber band on. 1 box of bands and bags from walmart costs a couple bucks and will last me years...

keep the pto stub on the tractor covered and greased.. most have a metal or plastic cap.

when you go to hookup, use a bar or screwdriver thru the u-joint to help rotate the female spline to line it up.. use a bunji to support the weight of the telescoping shaft so you can play with the yoke end.

soundguy