New Woods rotary cutter - can't slide the plastic PTO guard out of the way

[adlertom]

I can't move/slide back the PTO guard on my new Woods BB60.30 rotary cutter.

There are three positions on the guard, 120 degrees offset from each other that all say "press". One of the three positions has a white nylon round button-like protrusion. The other two positions just have flat nylon visible in the guard hole.

I've pressed on all 3, even using a screwdriver, but it guard still won't budge. Is there a trick that I'm missing? Photos attached.

 

[bigtiller]

I don't have your brand. Have you tried pushing all 3 at the same time and rotating the cup an inch or so and then sliding it back?

 

[adlertom]

No, with the positions spread out so widely around the guard, I don't see how I could push on all 3 simultaneously.

 

[oldnslo]

Why are you trying to slide that u-joint cover back? The silver ring at the end of the PTO is what slides to connect the shaft to the tractor splines. That large cover can make access more difficult but it doesn’t have anything to do with connecting the shaft to the tractor splines.

 

[adlertom]

Why are you trying to slide that u-joint cover back? The silver ring at the end of the PTO is what slides to connect the shaft to the tractor splines. That large cover can make access more difficult but it doesn’t have anything to do with connecting the shaft to the tractor splines.

Because that large cover makes access more difficult.

 

[oldnslo]

Your machine but if mine a pair of tin snips would trim that cover back to where you could get access much easier.

 

[RandyT]

I wouldn't be surprised if the U joint guard is also part of the shaft tube. So the bellows and the tube would all have to slide back.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Your machine but if mine a pair of tin snips would trim that cover back to where you could get access much easier.

Exactly what I did when I bought a new PTO shaft several years ago.

 

[JDW 1]

I know exactly what you are talking about about. I finally got tired of fighting the dam guards on my rhino ts10 batwing. Took a hole saw and drilled out the other holes so I could get to them . Can now grease it in about 5 minutes, verses 30 minutes.

 

[adlertom]

Well, it wasn't easy, but I was able to attach the PTO shaft to the tractor without sliding back the guard.

When I next get to the dealer, I'll ask them for a demonstration of how these guards are supposed to disconnect. There's nothing in the owners manual about it.

Thanks to all who made suggestions. I could certainly "modify" the guard, but would prefer to try using it as intended first.