Anyone make a spline alignment tool?

[Dan Hunter]

Yep, that's it. I'd like a tool that aligns the PTO to the coupler on the mower so when I do try to bring them together it's an easy fit. Is there such thing?

 

[bcp]

Large screwdriver through the u-joint so you can turn the shaft?

Bruce

 

[chim]

It's easier for me to bring the PTO shaft into contact with the tractor's output shaft, then spin the tractor's output shaft with my fingers till the PTO shaft slides on. And I NEVER get near the PTO if the tractor is running, whether the PTO is engaged or not.

 

[hosspuller]

The bushhog is the worse to couple. I've found that the female spline is centered on the push button. So I always turn the tractor shaft to line up a male spline with the center of the female spline.

 

[GaryM]

As Chim said, turn the tractors PTO stub shaft, not the implement shaft. The PTO stub will easily spin in it's normal direction of rotation. If you have a mid mount PTO as well, select it and the rear PTO stub will spin either way. At least it does on my JD. And shut the tractor off first!

 

[jrpat]

Before aligning the shaft on my bush hog I always give the end of the pto shaft and the splines of the drive line a shot of PB Blaster or WD40 to make everything slide a little easier. I also give the button on the coupler of the drive line a good shot too to free it up. The tractor is always shut off. JP

 

[Dan Hunter]

I love this site. You folk are great.

 

[CanuckPT]

I can align your spine, but not your spline! Good luck!!

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[Dozernut]

Just curious, my big tractor, Kubota L4610, I can spin the pto stub to line up the splines. On my little tractor, Kubota B2630, you cannot spin the pto stub by hand to align the splines.

The B2630 is an all hydraulic tractor and whatever I do, putting everything in neutral, the shaft will not spin by hand. I have to use the big screwdriver method or spin a blade on the implement. This makes it harder to hook up a pto implement.

I have owned several tractors but this is the only tractor I have owned that I cannot spin the pto stub. Is this the nature of the beast on these all hydraulic models or am I overlooking something?

 

[Stonehaller]

Just curious, my big tractor, Kubota L4610, I can spin the pto stub to line up the splines. On my little tractor, Kubota B2630, you cannot spin the pto stub by hand to align the splines.

Most modern tractors have brakes on the PTO. Both my Case DX45 and Kubota L39 have PTO brakes. They are spring apply so they are engaged whenever the PTO is disengaged or the tractor is not running.

 

[Dozernut]

Thanks!

 

[k0ua]

When I started with tractors about 20 years ago, PTO attachment used to be a cursing session. Now I don't even think about it. It is just a couple of seconds to get it on. I can remember dreading hooking up the PTO.. Not any more.. I think part of it is just familiarity with doing it.

 

[GManBart]

As Chim said, turn the tractors PTO stub shaft, not the implement shaft. The PTO stub will easily spin in it's normal direction of rotation. If you have a mid mount PTO as well, select it and the rear PTO stub will spin either way. At least it does on my JD. And shut the tractor off first!

On many modern tractors the PTO shaft will not turn by hand....there is a brake that gets applied any time the engine isn't running, and the PTO is engaged. It's also annoying...

 

[Ribz]

Just found this and considering buying one
$19.99 plus shipping. Anybody have one?

PTO Speed Wrench

PTO Speed Wrench Makes for easier alignment of the tractor and implement's PTO shafts. Flip wrench between 540 and 1000 RPM shafts.

www.sloanex.com

 

[CH4Ohio]

Just found this and considering buying one
$19.99 plus shipping. Anybody have one?

PTO Speed Wrench

PTO Speed Wrench Makes for easier alignment of the tractor and implement's PTO shafts. Flip wrench between 540 and 1000 RPM shafts.

www.sloanex.com

Looks like that would be only work if your PTO doesn't have a shield around it. Would be pretty awkward on my tractors.

I second the pry-bar / large screwdriver through the implement universal joint on the end of the PTO shaft. Makes it very easy to tweak the alignment from the accessible end of the business.

 

[5030]

Just curious, my big tractor, Kubota L4610, I can spin the pto stub to line up the splines. On my little tractor, Kubota B2630, you cannot spin the pto stub by hand to align the splines.

The B2630 is an all hydraulic tractor and whatever I do, putting everything in neutral, the shaft will not spin by hand. I have to use the big screwdriver method or spin a blade on the implement. This makes it harder to hook up a pto implement.

I have owned several tractors but this is the only tractor I have owned that I cannot spin the pto stub. Is this the nature of the beast on these all hydraulic models or am I overlooking something?

If you can 'spin' the stub more than 1/4 turn with the PTO lever not engaged, your PTO brake is shot. Kubota's have notoriously weak PTO brakes, why I ALWAYS run an over running coupler when I'm using my shredder or any implement that can inertia freewheel when the PTO is disengaged. Once the PTO brake is shot, the stub will rotate all the time the tractor is running, PTO engaged or not.

No spin, brake good. Spin, brake shot. If you want to turn the stub on the tractor with the good brake, stop the engine, engage the PTO lever and turn it. Just remember it's engaged before you start the motor (provided the safety interlock is working, it won't start anyway.

 

[IndyJay]

Looks like that would be only work if your PTO doesn't have a shield around it. Would be pretty awkward on my tractors.

I second the pry-bar / large screwdriver through the implement universal joint on the end of the PTO shaft. Makes it very easy to tweak the alignment from the accessible end of the business.

On my old Massey I could simply spin the stub shaft to line it up. My Kioti is one that locks the shaft as others have mentioned. An additional challenge is my new RCD1884 dual spindle rotary cutter has an offset gearbox so I have to apply force at 2 different angles to both extend the tube and push the collar straight onto the shaft at the same time. Getting better with practice but certainly not as easy as a simple straight push like my old SQ60.

(stock photo)

 

[5030]

Better keep those U-joints well greased...

 

[jyoutz]

There is no way to put the pto in neutral on tractors that have an electrical pto switch, so I just turn the driveshaft on the cutter.

 

[ptsg]

I just flip my PTO level from either 540 or 540E to Neutral and can free spin the shaft easily. Other tractors may be able to flip the PTO lever to mid PTO (if equipped) and achieve the same result.