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.

 

[coast40]

I've been thinking about making something like this to make it easier.
https://parts.agcocorp.com/gb/en/p/agco-parts-pto-removal-tool/acx4268620?text=ACX4268620

 

[rockinbbar]

I can't say that I don't know how to deal with those lawyer induced guards...

This is my new Woods 15.72 a couple months ago. I just cut that crap off. My tractor has a pivoting steel guard over the PTO shaft anyway, so no loss of safety by cutting that plastic off.

I did keep the shaft guards in place, and the cutter itself has pivoting steel guards over the U-joint areas.

If you look at the photo, you can clearly see that even after dealer prep, all 3 of those grease fittings were not even touched by a grease gun. I know why... They couldn't get to them! That's not an issue anymore.

 

[Fetch_21]

Take 3 flathead screwdrivers and wedge them into each hole (they'll be laying flat almost). All 3 have to be depressed to allow it to slide back. Sometimes, on some shafts, you can pull back on the bell housing and push them one at a time & they'll stay. But, if you can do all 3, that'll let it come loose.

 

[Vinnnie]

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

That's what I did!!

 

[LouNY]

Supposedly pressing in and tipping the front collar back then rotating and repeating works. Myself it would be gone in a heart beat.
I have never been able to understand the compulsiveness to have all those guards. They are OSHA mandated crap that makes it much more difficult to work with. They are attempting to make it so that no ropes or hoses can catch and pull an operator or bystander into the shaft.
Especially with 3 point mounted implements a person would have to be quite foolhardy to get next to the rotating shaft.

 

[gstrom99]

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.

My new King Kutter came with a separate manual for the PTO shaft, from "RPM". Skimmed though it, and it deals with the little locks. Your brand may be different.

 

[ptsg]

Are the PTO shaft guards really that intrusive in the US market?

I've never had any issues with the ones that came on my brush cutter and tiller, but comparing pictures, the ones I have do seem to stop shorter and seem to have a smaller diameter as well. Either one have not been cut.

Even the shield or guard on the brush cutter gearbox is wide and offers plenty of room to work on the PTO shaft. Even has removable panel on top that I use when swapping the shear bolt. Don't even have to pull the shaft out.

 

[oldnslo]

Are the PTO shaft guards really that intrusive in the US market?

Yes some of the guards make it next to impossible to connect the shaft to the tractor and or grease the U-joint.

My Branson also had a cover bolted over the rear PTO shaft since in one position both the mid and rear PTO turn. This is in addition to the standard cover over the PTO that hinges up to aide in access to PTO.

Things have really changed on safety front over last 50 years. Not sure all for the better either.

 

[dannyojudd]

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.

Unhook drive shaft, grease ujoint then re-install drive shaft then wash up..

 

[rockinbbar]

Unhook drive shaft, grease ujoint then re-install drive shaft then wash up..

That may work for some. But I have 3 critical grease fittings that have to be greased daily, and I use my cutter daily for months at a time.

There's NO WAY I'm unhooking that 100lb drive line daily.

One thing to understand about rotating drive lines and u-joints is that they are as dangerous as a barrel full of rattlesnakes, and you should keep your distance from them.

You couldn't pay me to get any closer than 5-6 feet from any drive line, covered or not.