Stuck PTO shaft

[PHIL850]

The PTO shaft on my brushhog is frozen and won’t extend. I’ve soaked it in both PB BLASTER and WD40. Anyone
got any tricks up your sleeve to get these unstuck?

 

[pjbci]

Ive pulled them apart with a chain and tractor before from all the old dried gease. Clean it up nice and shiny and reassemble.

 

[3gunr]

I used my finish mower 2 weeks ago and when i went to hook it up yesterday the shaft was froze, I put a ratchet strap from the end of the shaft to the back of the tractor , It took a little but finally popped loose , Took it apart cleaned and lubed ready to go.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yeaaa, pull it apart. BUT don't pull or hold it by the U-joints, pull/hold onto the shaft only!!

SR

 

[dirttoys]

The PTO shaft on my brushhog is frozen and won’t extend. I’ve soaked it in both PB BLASTER and WD40. Anyone
got any tricks up your sleeve to get these unstuck?

If it is not fully compressed, it is usually easier to drive it in to break it loose.

P.S. When you unhook, don't leave them fully compressed

Best,

ed

 

[PHIL850]

Should I add it didn’t get used last year and was stored outside. i greased it , but apparently not enough. I am surprised they don’t come with a grease fitting. If I get it apart, I may just drill and tap it for one

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Should I add it didn’t get used last year and was stored outside. i greased it , but apparently not enough. I am surprised they don’t come with a grease fitting. If I get it apart, I may just drill and tap it for one

Now you know why I NEVER grease them!!

SR

 

[CalG]

Rust or grease, If you can hook it up between tractor and implement, Do that, and then run it for 10 minutes or so.
Don't try to raise or lower the implement, that would pull on things you don't want to pull on.

Just run it, and let the flex and motion do the dirty work.

 

[deserteagle71]

My stuck PTO shaft was due to grease that had hardened. So once you get it apart and are done using it, pull it apart again, lube up both sections, then store both sections separately so this doesn't happen again.

I had to use a come-a-long, pulling VERY hard, and a big hammer to get mine to come apart.

 

[WM75Guy]

I had one seize up when I wanted to take the cutter off. It had been on for quite some time. I could not get it to slide back so I just disconnected the 3 pt and drove forward. It came apart. Took the half off the PTO, cleaned both parts up, and slid them back together.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I never lubricate mine with grease. The grease attracts dirt and then they are hard to move. Just a shot of WD-40 once or twice a year and they move great.

 

[PILOON]

Most black greases are clay based and under heat (hot sun) that can bake real hard.
On the other side of the coin is no grease and rust will weld that PTO shaft real tight.
Heat can sometimes help to soften that dry caked grease.
Rapping with a hammer can also break the bond all while pulling.
Now when I lube a PTO shaft I always use a synthetic grease, works for me. (so far)

 

[RalphVa]

I'd try a couple pipe wrenches to turn the opposite direction from normal. What has happened is the inside piece has gotten over rotated and stuck. You need to get them unstuck because they need to move to/fro some in normal lifting and operation. Otherwise, it'll blow out a thrust bearing on your tractor or the gearbox of the hog.

 

[ed1978]

use anti seize instead or grease. thin coating is all it takes. it will never stick again.

 

[badger123]

use anti seize instead or grease. thin coating is all it takes. it will never stick again.

use anti seize instead or grease. thin coating is all it takes. it will never stick again.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80078-Anti-Seize-Lubricant-Bottle/dp/B000FW7VGE

How does this stuff compare to grease?

Sorry for the double reply.

 

[RancherGuy]

Should I add it didn’t get used last year and was stored outside. i greased it , but apparently not enough. I am surprised they don’t come with a grease fitting. If I get it apart, I may just drill and tap it for one

I guess you have now learned that you need to take more precautions to prevent a repeat. Like doing what is necessary to keep water off of the shaft and using a lube that will not harden like most greases. When you start using or finish using, you might even want to consider using oil instead of grease. And/or when storing, consider a way to make the shaft stand in the air and place something over the end - long enough to keep rain from getting between the sliding sections. I keep mine under shelter and place the end on a piece of wood to keep it clean.

 

[tree grower]

I hung my post-hole digger from a tree limb with PTO shaft attached, and didn't use it for a couple years. When I discovered that it wouldn't slide, I used tractor and chains, heat, hammer, etc, but could not budge it. I assumed it was rusted together. It took a 35,000lb excavator to pull it apart - with considerable effort-, and the problem was dried grease. Now the shaft lives in the barn unless in use on the tractor.

 

[workinonit]

Just pull the shaft halves apart if it's going to be sitting up a while. All of mine are apart unless I'm using them. That's one of the things I use burnt motor oil for.

 

[Alan46]

My brother gave up on his, and went to TSC and bought a new one!
I told him " if I had his money I would burn mine "

 

[PHIL850]

Now you know why I NEVER grease them!!

SR

I take it grease isn’t the best thing? Iam going to try alternating brake clean and wd40 and see if I can get some penetration while breaking up the old grease.