Bush Hog Connecting PTO shaft

[Coyote machine]

Found a way to get the PTO shaft on the PTO spline when attaching the Bush Hog.

MACHINE OFF! I pull back the collar with one hand, after eyeballing the PTO female end of the shaft at the U-joint to align the splines of both ends. Using a 2' or so long fulcrum of choice, (long, relatively thin shaft screwdriver will do), I place the screwdriver through the yoke of the U-joint and slide it down to where I can use it to force the entire PTO shaft forward toward the tractor rear end. On my tractor this is where the drawbar plate is located. This allows me to keep the release collar pulled back, while using the screwdriver to push forward. A pull me push you kind of beast it is! Otherwise I find it near impossible to pull and hold the collar back while trying to move the shaft forward onto the PTO spline, especially with the PTO shield in the way of the two opposite motions.

REMOVE screwdriver, lower safety shield over PTO shaft and spline. Recheck all connections, pins, etc.
Enjoy your hoggin':thumbsup:
Hope this idea is useful to some- I know it worked like jelly for me today!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

That's a good tip. One other thing that helps me is to spray some Fluid Film on the tractor's male PTO output shaft and on the female part coming from the mower.

When I got my Woods 54" RFM for my BX2660, the balls inside the female part didn't want to retract when I pulled the collar back. I lubricated them well with Fluid Film and fixed that problem.

 

[KevT]

Because I use "Pats Easy Connects" I cheated and purchased a spline extension from ag supply and it has a lock button instead of the slide collar. Put one on my PHD too

 

[nybirdman]

I normally hook up the three point and raise the BH off the ground.This lets you easily rotate the drive shaft if needed.

 

[Coyote machine]

Glad you like it P Deck P. Fluid Film is good stuff!:thumbsup:

Real men don't use easy changers!:laughing:

Can't rotate a shaft inside a safety cover....

 

[gwstang]

Because I use "Pats Easy Connects" I cheated and purchased a spline extension from ag supply and it has a lock button instead of the slide collar. Put one on my PHD too

Well durn! I've got one of those extensions and never thought to unsnap it from the tractor and put it on the end of the pto shaft first. I hate those collars you have to pull back and do gymnastics to maybe get it on the tractor pto. Now I know! Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[Coyote machine]

Well durn! I've got one of those extensions and never thought to unsnap it from the tractor and put it on the end of the pto shaft first. I hate those collars you have to pull back and do gymnastics to maybe get it on the tractor pto. Now I know! Thanks! :thumbsup:

Well, there you go! This thread is being useful in various ways, OK.

 

[MF283]

Yep, hated the pull back on my 10'r, finally figured i could just barely get it started & rotate the shaft til it caught, then pull back & push.
I do the same thing with the 7'r, it turns instead of pulls which is easier.

Ronnie

 

[pmsmechanic]

I had the same problem with hooking up my JD 660 rototiller. It was quite easy to take the collar off the PTO shaft and install a lighter spring so that the collar was easier to pull back. Sure makes installing the PTO shaft easier.

I don't like to use Fluid Film in dusty conditions as it attracts the dust, which usually makes stuff harder to move. WD-40 works great and leaves a thin film of silicone behind which doesn't attract dust. Watch the WD-40 haters fume over this one!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . I don't like to use Fluid Film in dusty conditions as it attracts the dust, which usually makes stuff harder to move. WD-40 works great and leaves a thin film of silicone behind which doesn't attract dust. Watch the WD-40 haters fume over this one!

I'm not gonna get into a WD40 vs. Fluid Film war and derail this thread, but I will take a CAN of Fluid Film over a CASE of WD40 any day.