PTO shaft bolt removal

confederatemule · Jun 16, 2022

On a Rhino 172 rotary cutter I am not having any luck at removing the bolt that holds the shaft to the cutter gear box. The nut came off easy. I think the bolt is supposed to be easy to pull out. The bolt will barley turn, and then not very far. Is it so rusty that it will not turn? I see no evidence of rust. Do you suppose it has tried to sheer and therefore is no longer straight? It is the original factory bolt. The shaft has a slip clutch.
Thanks for any help.

newbury · Jun 16, 2022

need pics
spray w/ pb blaster or such for starters

blee03 · Jun 16, 2022

confederatemule said:
Do you suppose it has tried to sheer and therefore is no longer straight?

Yes,
A punch and a big hammer should do the trick.
Also twisting the shaft / gear box shaft this bolt connects might help (if there is any free play between them)

2manyrocks · Jun 16, 2022

First suspicion is the bolt tried to shear and won't come out easily because of that. Put some penetrating oil on it and let it soak for a bit. Then punch/hammer it out. Just watch your fingers. The gear box shaft may tend to move on you as you work on it.

ruffdog · Jun 16, 2022

I agree with the other posters. The bolt is partly sheared and the clutch is partly frozen/rusted to the gearbox shaft. Spray lube on the connection and keep working at it.