Trouble with Woods PTO shaft collar

[ymarianne]

I have a very hard time connecting the shafts of both my Woods bush hog and finish mower to the PTO. I've greased it a lot and when I first bought them was told it would get easier with time, but it hasn't. Is there something I can do? Maybe even replace the shaft collar with something else? Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[jim44]

Exactly what problem are you having? It's usually pretty easy-just line up the splines and get it started onto the shaft, then push the button or pull back the ring and push it the rest of the way on, till it locks.

 

[Baby Grand]

One thing that helps for me is to attach the implement to the tractor & lift it off the ground before I hook up the PTO shaft.
Much easier to turn the implement shaft to align & engage with the tractor splines when the weight of the implement isn't resting on the blade.

 

[jenkinsph]

I find that heavy grease just collects dirt and trash making a sticky mess. Have been cleaning the pto shaft and couplers and then spraying each with wd40 before attaching. This seems to work much better and is easy to slip on and off.

 

[RoyJackson]

All my PTO driven implements are Woods (or manufactured by Woods for another company). All Woods PTO drive shafts have that collar one must pull (as the shaft is being pushed on the tractor's PTO stub shaft).
Although I prefer the pushpin connectors, that's not what you get with some manufacturers.

What makes it a bit easier for me is using a bungee or similar to bear some of the weight of the drive shaft. Much easier when one has to push the shaft on the tractor's stub shaft while pulling back on the collar.
I have also lifted the implement (as Baby Grand describes).

 

[Gator6x4]

I find that heavy grease just collects dirt and trash making a sticky mess. Have been cleaning the pto shaft and couplers and then spraying each with wd40 before attaching. This seems to work much better and is easy to slip on and off.

NAPA sells in a aerosol rattle can, Chain and Sprocket lube. Somewhat pricey but does not attract dust and dirt like grease and does a wonderful job of lubricating PTO slip shaft collars. I think it is better than WD-40.

 

[Jack3489]

Two suggestions -- on the outside of implement PTO coupler paint a few dots or stripes where the splines are so you can align the coupler with your tractors PTO output shaft. Really makes initial alignment easy. Most couplers will slide on about a half inch before you must pull back on the locking ring.

Secondly, I'd suggest using "Fluid Film" to spray on the PTO shaft. Grease, like the responded above said, attracts dirt and make things difficult.

Regards,
Jack

 

[ymarianne]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I do have them lifted off the ground. It just takes a lot of brute strength to get the collar to lock. Great idea about putting a spot of paint where it aligns, and I'll go to my local Napa today and get the spray lube. I have been using WD 40. It's more tiring hooking them up then hours of bush hogging!

 

[ymarianne]

And the bungee cord, never thought of that either!

 

[teg]

For me, I don't mess with pulling the collar back at first. I get the pto shaft lined up with the splines and pushed on about 1/8". It doesn't go on without the collar pulled and if you go too far (1/4") you will not be able to pull the collar back. You'll find a sweet spot where you can slide it on to hold it there and not so far as to not be able to work the collar. Second, I pull the collar back and start pushing it on, Once I go past the 1/4" or so, I let go of the collar and push the pto shaft on until it clicks into place.

Ideally, I don't hook up the toplink so that I can do all of this with the pto shaft between my legs. Trying to hook it up sideways is harder... at least that's how I do it.