LX2610 PTO Issue

[Megawisdumb]

I have 2023 LX2610HSD with mid mower mount w/RCK60-30BB that I used bi-weekly to mow trails. Every couple of months I'll mow my pasture and hook up my bush hog. Yesterday, when I attempted to use the bush hog I could not get the MMM to stop engaging so it was running both. It has never done this before and I've used this feature for several years on my BX & LX. The shifter was in the most rear position it would go flush to plastic - see photo below. This position should only run the rear PTO and not the MMM. It makes a bad grinding noise while both are turning in this slot so I did not keep there long and opted to mow in the middle slot which also turns both. I lubed all the shifter rods and joints really good with silicone to the same result. I did notice the operative selector that seems to control this (blue circle picture) has a stub with a pin hole that is empty but did not see any other rods that might connect to it. I mowed the the 10 acres with both spinning but would really like to go back to the rear PTO only. When I hookup the bushhog I lock in the MM with the deck pin to the frame so it is at the highest point. Any thoughts? Am I missing a connector on the empty stub?

 

[Megawisdumb]

Obviously not a common condition....story of my life. I'll just use the belly mower until I figure this one out to stop spinning both under and rear blades.

 

[oldnslo]

On opposite end of rod circled in blue it looks like could be a cotter pin missing. Not sure what that linkage connects to though.

Which piece of linkage is for rear PTO & which is mid PTO. Look at how the linkage is positioned when lever is in mid position running both. Then look at linkage position when lever is rearward for rear PTO only. Same for front PTO only. I suspect something had moved a little causing the mid to not disengage fully when in rear position

 

[Megawisdumb]

So I played with it this morning and it certainly moves freely. The image below is the operative connector on the transmission that moves with the PTO choice lever between MMM, both or rear PTO. The image shown is MMM. I do not see any missing rods for the stub shown with an open pin open.

 

[Megawisdumb]

The PTO shift arm parts diagram doesn't help much..

 

[Megawisdumb]

Well, I've entered one of the 5th realms of repair rules - if you fart around with it enough the issue will go away. I can get the rear to spin without the MMM engaging. If I move the shift handle just a tad it will make the grind sound but no bad sounds while engaged so probably a linkage issue that is very limited tolerance. Thanks for the sound advice.