Posthole Digger PTO Shaft

Bluetick1955 · Jul 28, 2014

I bough a 3pt post hole digger. Tried to use but the PTO shaft is frozen and won't slide.. I guess been sitting longer than I realized. Any ideas the best way to get apart?

Bluetick1955

Gary Fowler · Jul 28, 2014

Prodigious use of light oil or penetrant to soak into the sliding part then place a board across the U joint and tap it with a hammer to get some movement, then back out. Keep working it back and forth till it loosens up. Pulling it apart might require some force like a come-along with the other end chained to a tree.

Soundguy · Jul 28, 2014

do you have a parts washer?

if so, put the shaft in the washer.. or at least part of it. then flip it.

a bucket with diesel in it may help too if no washer. stand it in there and then flip it now and then. even pour thru the center back and forth.

if there is no shield on the shaft take a ballpeen hammer and start tapping down the length to break the rust..

George2615 · Jul 28, 2014

I just had the same problem. I clamped one end in a vise, on the other end I clamped à pair of vise grip pliers then tapped on the pliers with à hammer. It took à while, only moving about 1/4" at à time but it eventually came off. Then I sprayed the shaft with penetrating oil, then greased it and slid the halves back together.

kirkawilson · Jul 28, 2014

Ditto what George2615 said; tap & beat till the rust breaks. Lotta rust will show on the inner shaft when you get it out. Oil & grease it well before you reinsert to keep it from happening again.

Bluetick1955 · Jul 28, 2014

Thanks. Got to get it off gearbox first. Gonna heat it tonight to get off there

oosik · Jul 28, 2014

Friend had an old rear cutter. Pto shaft was as solid as a bar of steel. We used a dead fall hammer(no dents) and gobs of WD40. Took half an hour but eventually split it, then steel wool on the male half and lots of grease down the tube.

buckeyefarmer · Oct 2, 2014

I got the same problem, Post hole digger was stored outside for about 3 yrs. I have mine soaking in penetrating oil, tomorrow I'll take a hammer to it.

Bluetick1955 · Oct 3, 2014

I put mine between two trees and a chain puller. Pulled so hard snapped drive pin. didn't move. Finally took other end off put in a press. popped when it finally moved the took a log rod and drove it out.Once it moved it wasn't hard to drive out. I buffed the rust off and out put gobs of grease in and slides like a charm. Hung under barn so it doesn't see the rain