PTO connect battle

[claitner]

Not sure how you are doing it, but I ignore the lock until the yoke slides on the 1/2 inch or so until the lock hits. Then operate the lock and push the yoke all the way on. Holding the lock "open" while trying to align the splines is too awkward.

Bruce

Thanks, yes I do it as you say; but the final push is difficult for me. I should make up a tool to provide leverage while pushing in line with the PTP.

 

[claitner]

Make sure friction between the two sections of plastic tubing comprising shaft guard is not a source of difficulty. I spray tubing with Dry Lube where they (should) slip easily, one over the other.

Thanks, I have not done that. It should be just what I need to resolve this issue!

 

[npalen]

Not really a disparager, BUT. did you park the mower up on wood so that you could spin Shaft without the blades hitting the dirt? If the stub shaft on the tractor wont spin then the shaft on the mower MUST be able to spin. Take a long screwdriver thru the cross if you need to to be able to turn the shaft. Also suspend the heavy shaft with a bungie cord to the A frame so that the weight is not constantly wearing on you as you fiddle with getting the splines lined up.

Like you did the splines must be clean, burr free and lubed and should have a bevel on then to facilitate alignment. I used to struggle with PTO hookup, but after taking some of my own advice and doing it several times, I don't struggle any more.

What you should do after getting it hooked up is take it off and spin the shaft with that screwdriver and hook it up again. Practice makes hard difficult grueling jobs easier, to the point that they no longer are hard, difficult grueling jobs.

The difference between a disparager and a complainer is the disparager has gotten good at an onerous difficult task, and the complainer has not.

I know, I know, once you get it hooked up the last thing you want to do is practice hooking up, but if you will actually do it several times, you WILL get better at doing it. This practicing works for many things, PTO shafts, and women too!

Thanks for taking my "disparaging remarks" humorously. Just having a little fun.

 

[mapper]

I still contend there should be a special he** for the genius that thought that a collar that had to be pulled back in the opposite direction that the coupler needed to be pushed onto the shaft was a good idea. It usually takes couple of minutes to connect the three point hitch, then ten or fifteen to get the PTO shaft on and locked in when I connect the brush hog. Tiller is usually a lot easier to connect.

 

[Ivan49]

I still contend there should be a special he** for the genius that thought that a collar that had to be pulled back in the opposite direction that the coupler needed to be pushed onto the shaft was a good idea. It usually takes couple of minutes to connect the three point hitch, then ten or fifteen to get the PTO shaft on and locked in when I connect the brush hog. Tiller is usually a lot easier to connect.

I had one of those on my brushhog. It was a pain One day while greasing it I found that the end at the gearbox had the latch with a pinin iit. I swapped ends on the shaft and away I went not problems since

 

[Oldoak]

The reason why "real farmers" don't have such difficulties is that their farm implements are much larger and have more room to work around while attaching the PTO shafts. Also, they just take more things in stride and have learned to deal with them rather than complain about them.

Lived in a farm community most of my life.

 

[300UGUY]

I connect the pto before I get the 3 pt hooked up. Plus I’d never touch a pto unless the engine is off. YMMV.

 

[Coyote machine]

I found that trying to hold the PTO shaft up and straddling it was too hard to do both and push the shaft forward while also pulling the lock collar backward. It's just too many awkward things in too little space. By using the chain that keeps the plastic shaft cover from spinning when the shaft is rotating, I found some immediate relief in being able to better control the process. This allows me to use some remaining strength to align the splines with the shaft section and to pull back on the collar as I slide the shaft past the lock groove and done. Amazing how changing just one factor makes things go right. And approaching the process methodically instead of assuming it is going to be a fight also reduces the stress level. All this includes having a clean PTO stub and lube where it needs to be.
Hope this helps. I know it's not the button type, but same general principles may apply. No harm trying. If you get it to work, I also suggest writing down the method to the letter to be able to duplicate, especially if one only does it infrequently. And practice can make perfect too.

 

[TerryR]

I found that trying to hold the PTO shaft up and straddling it was too hard to do both and push the shaft forward while also pulling the lock collar backward.

I frequently see comments of this sort here about the difficulties in hooking up a PTO shaft. But why would one be trying to hold back the collar (or press in the button) while aligning the spline and yoke? The yoke will slide on the better part of an inch without holding the collar or pressing the button. That's normally plenty to get everything aligned, and to support the shaft.

Only then is there a need to pull back the collar or press the button to push the yoke home and seat the retaining balls or pin.

 

[k0ua]

I frequently see comments of this sort here about the difficulties in hooking up a PTO shaft. But why would one be trying to hold back the collar (or press in the button) while aligning the spline and yoke? The yoke will slide on the better part of an inch without holding the collar or pressing the button. That's normally plenty to get everything aligned, and to support the shaft.

Only then is there a need to pull back the collar or press the button to push the yoke home and seat the retaining balls or pin.

Yeah, well, as you get more practice you start working smarter instead of working harder.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yeah, well, as you get more practice you start working smarter instead of working harder.

Yeah, what he said^^^^ And I've yet to see a PTO shaft assembly come with directions as to how to install the yolk onto the PTO shaft stub.
And like grease guns- you'd be amazed at how many people have been using them for entire lifetimes and can't figure out why the knurled end gets stuck on some zerks. And that the working end of the gun's hose/pipe usually has knurled section that allows loosening or tightening of the internal jaw pieces to allow removal from a zerk?
These things seem obvious once the knowledge is acquired, but not until then.

 

[/pine]

To go even further off topic...

How many realize kitchen wrap dispenser boxes (foil, wax paper, plastic etc...) have indent tabs on the ends to keep the rolls from popping out of the box ??

 

[k0ua]

To go even further off topic...

How many realize kitchen wrap dispenser boxes (foil, wax paper, plastic etc...) have indent tabs on the ends to keep the rolls from popping out of the box ??

Me! Me!... (raises hand)

Yep, figured that out on my own a couple of years ago.... I am 63...

 

[k0ua]

Yeah, what he said^^^^ And I've yet to see a PTO shaft assembly come with directions as to how to install the yolk onto the PTO shaft stub.
And like grease guns- you'd be amazed at how many people have been using them for entire lifetimes and can't figure out why the knurled end gets stuck on some zerks. And that the working end of the gun's hose/pipe usually has knurled section that allows loosening or tightening of the internal jaw pieces to allow removal from a zerk?
These things seem obvious once the knowledge is acquired, but not until then.

Yeah, they don't come with directions, tool-tips or even vague hints...

 

[DieselBound]

Got a new PTO shaft from Bare Co (for my bush hog) and their guards make it a LOT easier to connect the shaft. I believe that you can retrofit (I have not done so as I bought a complete PTO shaft [needed one]).

PTO Shaft Cover | BARE-Co

Locking lever are a quick pop-out and then slide the collars back and you've got full exposure to the actual shaft end. As stated, it make it a LOT easier to connect up PTO shafts.

 

[TractorGuy]

I realize the way I wrote the original post sounds like I was blaming the button as part of my problem aligning the shaft. I have connected PTO shafts for many years and fully realize you don't have to have the button depressed to get the splines started. (Heck, I'm so old and experienced I even knew about the punch ends on kitchen wrap.) My main intention of this thread was to point out the two changes I made that improved the PTO connection experience for me.

Thanks to those who suggested putting the PTO selector in the front position. I have never tried putting the selector in the front position but I will try that to see if it unlocks the rear shaft. I have no mid mount or front mount accessories so have had no need to change the PTO selector position. The knob is missing so if changing the selector enables the PTO shaft to freewheel I will have to order a knob.

I park this mower in the same spot on bare dirt and nothing grows underneath. I park my brush mower on blocks and may start doing that with my finish mower but only because I have to put sticks under the lift arms to connect and disconnect using my quick hitch. Turning any mower by the shaft is not easy, especially a finish mower.

One other thing I did but didn't mention was I sanded and lubricated the plastic safety sleeve as was suggested. It was binding a bit but wasn't the reason I couldn't get the spline to align. I used aerosol silicone lubricant on that.

I don't know if the shaft got a burr I was overlooking or I just wan't holding my mouth right. What i know is it wasn't going on after many attempts and slid right on after modifying the male shaft splines. I think the best improvement was cleaning up the male spline and adding a little bevel to the edges.

To those with slide collar locks I know what you are saying on those also. I have an extension shaft I use with my brush mower that has that type of lock. I have to install it before I back up to the mower. On that I can put my knee against it and push forward while sliding the collar back. I can't imaging fighting with that on the end of a shaft.

 

[powerscol]

My Hesston 4550 baler PTO shaft is a real bear to handle. Its big and heavy. The last time I set it up I got the unit attached to the draw bar and then put a short 2x8 across the 3pt lift arms and used them to hold it up at the right elevation. Made putting it together much easier. I then position the lift arms at max height to not interfere with baling.

 

[CobyRupert]

You don't know what you don't know! (- by definition!) .....but there's also things that I know I don't know.

Other than the bungee shaft from top link for support trick, I also find it easier to raise implement to the height where the shaft slides straight on.
That way you're not trying to slide the shaft while trying to maintain the correct angle/alignment of the yoke with the pto shaft.

...and this position is (usually) where the shaft is telescoped to it's shortest position; so if it can telescope short enough to clear the end of the tractor's spline shaft in this position and then slide/extend on, you know you have some wiggle room and it won't "bottom out" the telescoping shaft and wreck your tractor's pto shaft bearings or casting.

 

[Soundguy]

you can also use a pipe wrench to rotate the mower pto shaft slowly and slightly.

 

[Oldoak]

........................................................................................
...and this position is (usually) where the shaft is telescoped to it's shortest position; so if it can telescope short enough to clear the end of the tractor's spline shaft in this position and then slide/extend on, you know you have some wiggle room and it won't "bottom out" the telescoping shaft and wreck your tractor's pto shaft bearings or casting.

Excellent point and simple check! Particularly if hooking up rental equipment or a new implement purchase for the first time.