Rear PTO doesn't work

[dog5farm]

After replacing the hydraulic steering ram and changing the hydrostatic trans fliud (which powers the hydraulics) and all the filters I hooked up my brush mower and discovered the rear PTO will not turn on. The fluid sight-glass in the rear shows appropriate level and the bucket/steering work fine. Checked the PTO selector lever (to the left of the seat) and it is all the way back for the rear PTO. When you pull up on the yellow PTO knob on the dash you can hear/feel something start spinning but the PTO output shaft does not move. The output shaft spins freely by hand and I don't remember it doing that before.

Any ideas on what to check?
I just checked the mid PTO and it will spin when selected.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
John Deere 2210 with 460 hrs

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but this sounds like a busted gear or a gear out of alignment inside the tranny. I would seem odd that this would happen without some very memorable event like hitting a big rock with a tiller or bush hog, etc.

I'm assuming that when you checked the free rotation of the PTO it was with the tractor off and the PTO engaged.

I don't think this is directly related to your service on the ram and fluid.

 

[sweettractors]

Lets hope the hydraulic PTO clutch pack is not getting fluid. Try Driving the tractor up and down some inclines. If this don't help, I would be inclined to go with IPLAYFARMER. Was it working fine before the fluid change? Ken Sweet

 

[dog5farm]

Iplayfarmer-we did hit about 6 rocks about the size of potatoes while tilling. The tractor was working fine, changed the steering ram because the bent rod progressively leaked to the point of leaving puddles.
I'm assuming that when you checked the free rotation of the PTO it was with the tractor off and the PTO engaged. The tractor was off but I will recheck if I had the PTO engaged.
Ken, I haven't run the tractor after hooking up the brush mower and discovering the PTO wasn't spinning. Just didn't know what I might be looking at without inquiring here on TBN.
Oh, tractor has 407 hrs not 460

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer-we did hit about 6 rocks about the size of potatoes while tilling...

Keep in mind you're talking to an Idaho boy here. I've held potatoes that are twice the size of a loaf of bread.

Here's the big question: Do you have a good fusable link in your PTO driveline? I.e. a shear bolt or a slip clutch? If you have a shearbolt, is it the right grade? If you have a slip clutch is it adjusted properly? If you have some kind of protection like this and it's set right, then you probably haven't busted anything. If not you may be looking at major surgery.

I've mentioned before that I bought my tractor dirt cheap because some genius before me tore the guts out of it by using a high grade bolt for a shear bolt. 30 hours of labor and $700 in parts later the thing runs like it's brand new.