PTO Shaft

goatman · Aug 2, 2004

I have a KK 5ft bush hog and hooked up for the first time yesterday. And when I tried to attach to the tractor the shaft about 4 " too short?? I thougt the thing woud pull apart to fit but as hard as I could pull would not seporate?? The entire shaft is encased in hard plastic cover so I can't tell if it comes apart or not??? Also the attachment at the hog has a resptable sized bolt holding it on?? I thought it was suppose to be a shear pin or removeable clip?/ As you can tell I don't have much experience with bush hog but was planning on getting some this week weather permitting.. I plan on removing the shaft to night and return to where I bought the hogand have them look at it , it was getting dark when I did this.. Thanks for any advice /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

BillyP · Aug 2, 2004

I thougt the thing woud pull apart to fit but as hard as I could pull would not seporate?? 

You need to pull on it real hard. It's probably been setting for a while and the two pieces have somewhat rusted together. When you do get it to slide apart, slide it all the way apart and give it a good coat of grease.

Freds · Aug 2, 2004

Also, the bolt IS the shear pin. That's what they call it because of its use.

trkbldr · Aug 2, 2004

The shaft should definitely slide apart. As BillyP stated, it is most likely just stuck. If you can't pull it apart by hand, it may need a little "friendly persuasion" /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. A few taps with a hammer may do the trick. Or, back up close enough to it to hook up JUST the PTO shaft to the tractor, making sure it locks onto the tractor PTO. SLOWLY move the tractor forward. This should pull it free. I have done this a couple of times with success. Once fully apart, grease, grease, grease and re-assemble and you should be trouble free.

zuiko · Aug 2, 2004

Make sure there are no shipping screws in it before you spend too much time pulling on it. Sometimes they come locked together with a few small screws through the plastic tube.

goatman · Aug 2, 2004

Thanks for the advice will look closer for screws and try again tonight.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jayhawkRoy · Aug 2, 2004

Make sure you pick up some extra shear bolts. You will probably need them if this is the first time you will mow your acreage. Don't ask how I know this /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I prefer to use the actual shear bolts, because I had a hardware store grade 2 (hasty replacement) bolt not shear and only bend. I didn't damage anything, but do not want to take any chances on the failure to shear ruining something.

cperky · Aug 2, 2004

I had a similar problem with a pto shaft not to long ago. Like others have said mine was stuck due to rust from sitting up a while. I had to use a little heat from a torch and alot of persuasion from a pickup truck to finally break it free. Also use alot of wd-40 to help loosen up the rust. If you try using the tractor be carful when backing with the shaft attached to the tractor. I tried using that method and pushed the shaft back to far on the tractor PTO. It took me an additional 30 minutes to get the shaft back off the tractor PTO shaft.

Good Luck

RonR · Aug 2, 2004

I don't necessarily recommend this solution, but I was desperate and it worked for me. I had a 50 HP Ford tractor at Grandpas, and sitting uncovered in the pasture for TWENTY YEARS was a brand new 6' rotary mower.

I brought it up from the pasture, checked the gearbox for oil, greased it, and tried to hook up the PTO. It was 20 Yrs stuck! No amount of penetrating oil seemed to help. Bashing it with a hammer wasn't working.

What I finally did was hook a come along to the pto shaft front half and the other end to the front axle of the tractor. (Mower was on the 3PH). I pulled on the come along as much as I could, then I'd go bash the front yoke with a hammer.

Finally, it gave way and came apart. More grease and it was good to go.

Like I say, I was desperate. Don't think I'd do that on my Bota!

Ron

goatman · Aug 2, 2004

I took the shaft off the mower tonight put penetratong oil down both ends?? Which end should move? the part tht attaches to the tractor or the part at the bushhog?? I like the come along idea.. I'll try it tomorrow.. I was going to try the hook up to a tractor a an attachment but my neighbor has his tractor in the shop and after taking at least 30 mins of backing up going forward Pulling my guts out to move the mower, I didn't want to take the mower off my 3 PH.. I am definantly going to order a Pats quick hitch before I go through that again..Thank for the ideas.. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

BillyP · Aug 2, 2004

Which end should move? the part tht attaches to the tractor or the part at the bushhog?? 

One end slides into the other, so they both move.

 I like the come along idea.. I'll try it tomorrow.. 

Don't hook the come-a-long to your tractor. You could really do some damage before you realize it.

SPIKER · Aug 2, 2004

goatman; the two halfs should slide appart, and like stated above there MAY be soem screws through the plastic covers holding the inner and outter halves together... make sure there are no screws in the plastic sheaths, the two haoves should slide appart unless somethign is bent some or Rusted together. if it is NEW then it shouldn't be rust!>? but maybe a dent form shipping>? is the plastic mangled anywhere?

anyhow I don't say to pull using the PTO on the tractor, may work but also may pull out the PTO gear/spline on the tractor! especially since many of these are simply held in with a small clip! you can pull using the come-a-long idea which is good one

also use rust penetrating oil not WD40. works better, WD is water displacement not much lube or rust penetration to it. I prefer PB BLaster or Liquid Wrench. Look down inside the PTO while it is removed, you should be able to see through past the U-Joint, and spray / pour it down there into the hollow end. though I must admit some of these have no hollow end, and are welde with solid bar at both ends and a hollow tube then connects the two solid parts. one being welded in other has the tube welded onto the square short end...

hope you get them appart soon

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

hockeyhead · Aug 2, 2004

( I plan on removing the shafts to night and return to where I bought the hogand have them look at it , )

I have a 5' KK rotary (brushhog) bought last summer . there was no retaining screws holding the PTO shafts together. I'd return it before I'd apply to much force possiby damaging the shield or a u-joint. Then what do you say to the dealer if you further damage it. Call him, he will tell you to bring it back. hopefully he is not to far away
Also don't forget to loosen the rear tail wheel and add gear lube and grease, they are shipped dry.

GerardC · Aug 2, 2004

See this thread.

zuiko · Aug 3, 2004

I second the PB Blaster advice. That is really great stuff.

goatman · Aug 4, 2004

I took the shaft back to the dealer yesterday morning intending to pick it up on my way home, BUT when I got there the maint guy had left.. I walked over to the maint shed .There was my PTO shaft CHAINED BETWEEN 2 tractors the chain was streched VERY tight and still hadn't budged.. I will check again today..I cant believe that it is stuck so bad that pulling between 2 tractors hasn't moved it... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

DaveNay · Aug 4, 2004

( There was my PTO shaft CHAINED BETWEEN 2 tractors the chain was streched VERY tight and still hadn't budged.)

I think I would have serious questions of accepting that shaft back, even if they magically get it to break free. There is some sort of flaw on that part.

Dave

MicroPilot · Aug 4, 2004

Did you just buy this rotary cutter? If so then just ask the dealer for a different shaft and let him figure out what to do with the defective one.

RonR · Aug 4, 2004

Geeze! And I thought my come-along stress was bad! I sure wouldnt want to be on either tractor if/when that shaft comes apart...... Might be lethal.

Of course, a co-worker of mine insists when he worked in a body shop years ago, when they had a front or rear end crunched on a car, if it would run, they would hook a huge chain into the floor anchor and the other end around the crunched in frame with a LOT of slack in it. Rev the motor, drop it in gear, and give it heck. Said it pulled the frames apart enough they could work on them......... I hope they've enchanced that process, but ?????????????????????

Ron

jinman · Aug 5, 2004

( There was my PTO shaft CHAINED BETWEEN 2 tractors the chain was streched VERY tight and still hadn't budged.. )

New rotary cutter: $600

Operator's manual: Included

Picture of two tractors trying
to pull the PTO shaft apart: PRICELESS!

Too bad you didn't get the picture... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif