HELP: pto disconnect

[Dogscape]

Hi If anyone has any helpful tips, I cannot attach the pto shaft from my new PostHole digger to my tractor.

The collar slips onto the end of the spline, and then you're supposed to pull back on the collar and push the whole thing forward so it clicks onto the notches in the spline.
I cannot push it forward.
Anyone have any tips?
I've tried putting a crowbar into the u joint and pushing, but it's just counter-intuitive to do it.
There is a plastic shield around the shaft so I cannot hold it well either.
HELP.

 

[RandyT]

I've have issues connecting shafts when one of the little balls inside stick and don't retract preventing the shaft from sliding on. Liked to not get the pto for my finish mower on last week. My bush hog mower is real bad to stick the balls in the connector because it doesn't get used enough.

 

[randy41]

try lubricating the shaft.

 

[Dogscape]

Yah well this is brand new. not rusty from sitting. It is nuts! I must be doing something wrong!!! When it was delivered last week delivery guy set it up. Worked no problem.
WTF am I doing wrong?

 

[Dogscape]

I'm thinking this might be a case of me being stupid, or this pto shaft shield being a little to overengineered on the "safe" side.... orsomething wrong with the little ball bearings?
Why would they put little delicate ball-bearing collars on something that is farm equipment and gonna sit outside and what not?
Is all pto equipment made this way?

 

[k0ua]

Well you have described the correct procedure, so I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Is the collar and shaft nice and greasy? does it pull back nicely?, Check for burrs on the PTO shaft on the tractor, and on the U joint piece. Feel inside with your finger and make sure all 3 of the little balls will retract when you pull the collar back. Make sure you are trying to go on "Square" and don't have the collar/U joint assembly cocked sideways or drooped down, It is a lot of movement to have to make to line up "square" pull the stupid collar (designed by an idiot, the button actuated one is better) and then while pulling you have to push too.. No crow bars are necessary, and you run some risk of damaging your PTO shaft/bearing/seals. Grease everything up, check you balls, and just go ahead and let out an oath before you start, as it will save time while you are bent over wrassling with the darn thing Good Luck.

James K0UA

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I'm thinking it's an alignment issue. Pushing a shaft while pulling a collar and trying to rotate the u joint all at the same time..... I would try to have the shaft as nearly straight as possible a d make sure it's all well lubed.

 

[Dogscape]

Ok... thanks for all the help.
I got it on... seems those little ball bearings were sticking. Cleaned em, sprayed em with wd 40 and I think I rinsed out some grit. Managed to get em moving, then I hanged the thing over a retaining wall to make the shaft level and I was able to get her to click.

I wish it was easier. Do they make different mechanisms for those shaft ends? That is way too over engineered. geez. Lost 2 hours of work today.

I want to be able to swap my attachedments 2 , 3 times a day this time of year, if need be.

 

[Don87]

Now that you know what to look for, it won't take much more than 5 minutes in the future.

 

[CaptJCHill]

Keep it lubed with pb blaster or any good penetrating oil,rotate the ring on the shaft several times to wash out contaniments.Also some shafts have a push button on the collar ( like a bayonette) and they seem more trouble free, but I wouldnot let it be a determening factor for an implement.I lube and check on each installationbecause if I don't it also takes an hour or two to swap implements.Good Luck!
John

 

[k0ua]

Glad you got it going, be sure to keep it lubed well with a good lube, WD40 is good for cleaning out dirt, and gunk, but you need a good lube, too. Regular chassis grease is ok, But I like to use Fluid Film. Seems to attract less dirt. We have all fought with the darn things, I used to cuss them too, but after you have done it a few times, it seems easier. Yes the ones with the crossways push button latch seems easier to me.

James K0UA

 

[MHarryE]

Actually there are several different locks - depending on supplier. You have one of the more expensive and reliable ones. You will find many of the companies supply drive shafts from multiple suppliers. I have a LandPride mower and when I needed a part the first thing they wanted to know is who was the supplier of my driveline.

 

[sawduster98]

I just had the exact same thing happen to me 2 days ago. I disconnected my mower the previous night and when I went to reconnect it...the u-joint wouldn't slide on far enough. New mower, never any problems. It turned out that the coil spring behind the pull-back plate had slipped down and moved onto the shaft, preventing the plate from being pulled back far enough. :confused2:

 

[Dogscape]

I just had the exact same thing happen to me 2 days ago. I disconnected my mower the previous night and when I went to reconnect it...the u-joint wouldn't slide on far enough. New mower, never any problems. It turned out that the coil spring behind the pull-back plate had slipped down and moved onto the shaft, preventing the plate from being pulled back far enough. :confused2:

How did you eventually troubleshoot that? and fix that?

 

[teg]

For me, if I push the pto shaft on before pulling the collar back... the collar locks in place. I have to back it off the pto shaft by just a little (1/4") and then I can pull the collar back. Not sure if that was your problem but it does happen.

I have several types, the pull back collar, the twist collar (don't care for it), and the simple push button collar (which can be hard on the thumb). I like the pull back collar out of the three of them...

 

[gwdixon]

Ok... thanks for all the help.
I got it on... seems those little ball bearings were sticking. Cleaned em, sprayed em with wd 40 and I think I rinsed out some grit. Managed to get em moving, then I hanged the thing over a retaining wall to make the shaft level and I was able to get her to click.

I wish it was easier. Do they make different mechanisms for those shaft ends? That is way too over engineered. geez. Lost 2 hours of work today.

I want to be able to swap my attachedments 2 , 3 times a day this time of year, if need be.

I feel your pain. If you don't already have a bad back it won't be long.

My solution was to buy a new yoke that fits on the end. It has a push pin type of hookup that is much easier to engage.

Take the tractor-side half of the PTO shaft to Tractor Supply or a tractor dealer. Tell them you want the pin-type yoke for the end. Most places usually have them in stock. There are so many sizes that you need to have the half-shaft in hand to directly compare things.

It is easier to get a tractor dealer to press the old end out of the U-joint and press the new end in. You can do it yourself but it is not easy without the right tools - trust me on that.

 

[Notforhire]

My bush hog is also difficult to hook up.
Try hooking up the driveshaft before installing the top link.
Works for me.:thumbsup:

 

[foggy1111]

I got a tip that I have not yet tried. Get a PTO 4" "extenstion" at your farm store or implement dealer. Speeco makes one. This will allow attaching via the "old" cross pin (speeco) style. It's easy to connect and may be cheaper than converting your existing set-up. :thumbsup:

You need to be able to add the 4" to your drive length tho. I have PEC hitch on mine and the extra length is just fine. I have the extension....just have not tried it....yet.

I got a few of the style you are having difficulty with.....they outta lynch the guy that engineered that POS. :laughing: (It does go on easier when you cuss about it first....and have it cleaned up and lubricated well.)

 

[Mark Page]

I hate the damned things. I think someone was going overboard with safety. To get hung up in the PTO push button style you would really have to go out of your way or be really stupid, or both.
My new Woods mower came with this set up, it only took me 2 successful attempts before I replaced the whole driveline with the old fashioned kind. My snow blower came with the collar type also. Being forewarned I made the dealer switch it out before he got paid.
I would love to know how many accidents have ever happened by someone getting caught up in the push button type.