PTO Drive shaft problem (my latest issue)

[jeff9366]

First my handyman hooked up the mower and couldn't keep it attached and from swaying, etc. So we stopped using it. I think is was 2021 (I'd have to check) that I had the Kubota guy hook up the mower for me. Since then it has stayed hooked up.

You are a pretty clear writer.

If you tell us your difficulties one at a time, as you identify them, we can probably resolve each one for you.

 

[ruffdog]

Boy are your questions confusing and over my head. I get the tractor serviced each year in May by a Kubota service person. I assume he looks at everything. It usually runs about $800.

Where I'm confused is your asking about clutches.....clutches on a finish mower??? The finish mower has not been maintained but has been rarely used until the last couple years. It was purchased used, I think.

True, finish mowers normally don't have the clutch on the mower. We don't know if there is a overrunning clutch installed between the pto shaft and tractor without pictures.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Boy are your questions confusing and over my head. I get the tractor serviced each year in May by a Kubota service person. I assume he looks at everything. It usually runs about $800.

Where I'm confused is your asking about clutches.....clutches on a finish mower??? The finish mower has not been maintained but has been rarely used until the last couple years. It was purchased used, I think.

Some have a slip clutch on the drive shaft right before the gear box. Some do not and just have a bolt, and male shaft and female shaft are round. Bolt is supposed to break if load gets too heavy. So, you do have one or the other. Have you checked oil in the gear box on mower?

 

[allenport]

Here are three photos. It's hard to take pictures in this location. From here, tell me what angles you want. Note that there is no 'cover' on the tractor pto.

Also, can someone tell me what that chain on the shaft is for?

 

[tfuller]

That helps. Where the shaft attaches to the tractor you have to pull back on the plate with the spring behind it closest to the tractor which will disengage the lock and then you can slid the coupler off. This may be difficult since it has been attached for so long.
The chain is to keep the plastic shield from spinning.

 

[CobyRupert]

On your 3rd picture look at the flat plate/collar that is on the pto shaft that is closest to the tractor. That should pull back and allow the shaft to be able to be pulled back off the tractor’s spline

 

[K5lwq]

Here are three photos. It's hard to take pictures in this location. From here, tell me what angles you want. Note that there is no 'cover' on the tractor pto.

Also, can someone tell me what that chain on the shaft is for?

So that shaft should have a shear bolt located under the plastic shield where it connects to the mower. Is this where the handy man thought the noise was coming from?

If so, I would think it has sheared and the shear bolt needs to be replaced.

 

[allenport]

So that shaft should have a shear bolt located under the plastic shield where it connects to the mower. Is this where the handy man thought the noise was coming from?

If so, I would think it has sheared and the shear bolt needs to be replaced.

I'm not sure. He wasn't specific. I only let it run for a split second so that we could trying and identify the location.

The sheared bolt thing....I hope that's it. In any case, this is going to be another call to Kubota.

To the posters that gave instruction for how to pull off the shaft, thanks but I am not going to do that at this time. I was just wondering how.

You all ought to know that farm life takes its' toll on the body. For me, it's the wrists and years of slinging a pitch fork and hay. My wrists are shot, and right now I'm wearing a brace for tendenitis in my left wrist and I'm left handed. So turning and pulling anything is out of the question currently.

I will say as some of you pointed out, everything is a learning experience. In the last 4 years, I have learned a lot about plumbing, electrical, septic, etc. etc.

I will report back when and if I get a solution. Thankfully, I have a Ferris Zero turn to keep on mowing. We have had a lot of rain followed by sun and the grass is growing literally overnight.

 

[jeff9366]

Shear bolts are intentionally weak/soft Grade 2 bolts.

Shear bolts for compact tractor implements, such as a Kubota L3400, are usually 7/16" in diameter. Length depends on the implement.

This is a common bolt-Grade and bolt-diameter readily available at hardware and farm supply stores for <$2.00 each.

 

[K5lwq]

I'm not sure. He wasn't specific. I only let it run for a split second so that we could trying and identify the location.

The sheared bolt thing....I hope that's it. In any case, this is going to be another call to Kubota.

To the posters that gave instruction for how to pull off the shaft, thanks but I am not going to do that at this time. I was just wondering how.

You all ought to know that farm life takes its' toll on the body. For me, it's the wrists and years of slinging a pitch fork and hay. My wrists are shot, and right now I'm wearing a brace for tendenitis in my left wrist and I'm left handed. So turning and pulling anything is out of the question currently.

I will say as some of you pointed out, everything is a learning experience. In the last 4 years, I have learned a lot about plumbing, electrical, septic, etc. etc.

I will report back when and if I get a solution. Thankfully, I have a Ferris Zero turn to keep on mowing. We have had a lot of rain followed by sun and the grass is growing literally overnight.

Glad you are letting the dealer handle this. Ask them to service the PTO and check oil in gear box while they have it. They can grease it up for you and make sure it is ready for use. This should be done every season.

Hang in there and rely on others to help you with this kind of stuff.