Can't remove PTO shaft from auger's gear shaft

[JSanders10]

I bought a used Greenline EM5000 auger.

I need to remove the attached PTO shaft (the tractor end quick attach is bad, needs replacing) and I cannot remove the the PTO shaft from the auger head's gear drive.

The PTO shaft on the implement end is a female smooth end 1-1/4, fitting on to the auger drive, using a 5/16th shear pin.

It's on there hard. I've sprayed with WD40 last weekend, and this weekend with PB Blaster.
I've let it sit, sprayed again with PB Blaster, and am letting it sit this week while I am away.
I've pried with a pry bar and done my best.

Likewise, the expansion on the PTO shaft is rusted stuck. It has a good solid plastic safety cover on it, which I've not yet removed, but I'll need to...
or just replace the entire PTO shaft.

But I need to get it off of the auger FIRST!

Any ideas?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Try removing the plastic safety guard then some heat with a torch.

 

[JSanders10]

Rick, thanks. I've thought about that.

I don't have a torch, but I do have a propane flame thrower used for starting burn piles. It won't focus the flame as well, would that work?
Or should I get a friend with a torch to come by?

 

[lostcreekranch]

You'll need to get more focused heat. Even a small propane torch might get you there. The brush burner won't help.

Can you take and post some pictures?

 

[JSanders10]

Yea. I meant to grab some pictures yesterday and can this weekend if I don't get it loose otherwise.
Good idea on small propane torch, I need to buy one of those anyway.

And I remembered, I can't remove the plastic shield unless the two shafts separate. I have sprayed PB Blaster down the shift as well.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I assume this is a grain auger?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Can you hook something to auger frame to keep it from moving? If so, then hook your tractor or ??? to tractor end shaft and carefully pull, to see if you can separate the two parts of the shaft.

If this doesn't work you are probably going to want to replace the whole PTO Shaft.

 

[newbury]

You'll need to get more focused heat. Even a small propane torch might get you there. The brush burner won't help.

Can you take and post some pictures?

try mapp gas

 

[motownbrowne]

try mapp gas

Yeah, MAPP gas and a bernzomatic torch is a worth a shot. If you don't already own one, it's worth the money. Sometimes you need to go whole hog and use oxy-acetylene. Probably not worth running out and buying a setup just for this, though.

 

[JSanders10]

I assume this is a grain auger?

Sorry, I didn't say, it's a 3 point hitch post hole digger... auger.

A MAPP gas torch is an inexpensive worthy idea, thanks.

Re: pull it apart while hooked to the tractor, I may try that if I can think of something sturdy enough to brace the auger/gear box to. Thanks.