Ford 2000 PTO Issue

Looking for some assistance on a Ford 2000 PTO lever not staying engaged. When running, I can place a bungee cord to hole it engaged although without the cord, it moves forward and disengages the PTO. Not sure of the cause although the PTO operates fine with the bungee cord. What options do I have to resolve? Thanks

not sure if this is a 4 cylinder or 3 cylinder 2000 - - the 4 cylinder mechanism I am familiar with - there is a spring/detent located on the engaging mechanism within the hydraulic reservoir case that keeps the PTO engaged - the problem can be there, in which case it is theoretically possible to change the spring/detent without splitting the tractor, but it wouldn't be easy - -

first thing to check is the end-play on the PTO shaft - how much does it move in and out of the tractor? if end play is excessive (more than .1" or so) that can overcome the detent and cause the PTO to disengage - this is a fairly straight-forward fix, the end play in the PTO is controlled by a pressed on retainer associated with the bearing (the seal rides on this retainer - here is the parts look-up http://partstore.agriculture.newholland.com/us/parts-search.html#epc::mr55139ar397208) - - you'll need to pull the shaft/bearing assembly, then evaluate the situation - if the bearing, retainer, and seal are in good shape, the retainer can be adjusted to minimize end-play - - bearings/seal/retainer are relatively cheap, if you pull the shaft I'd suggest you consider changing them just on general principle -

if this is a 3 cylinder model, I don't know how much of the above applies, but I'd still check the end play on the shaft first -

When I first bought mine, a '63 with all orig best I can tell, about 3000 hrs, back in about 1985, the PTO would pop out occasionally and I too forced it to stay engaged. I don't remember doing anything, and I know I didn't change any drive line fluids so I just guess it sat up for a long time and the slip sleeve just wouldn't stay engaged due to rust on the engaged shaft spline.

I don't have the problem now and don't remember when I quit using the bungie.

if its a 3 cyl.. .the c clip on the pto rear bearing retainer has popped out and dropped into the bottom of the rear end. And this can be seen by taking the pto shaft and pushing in on it... if it can be pushed in and out more than a 1/16th of an inch, that is your problem. You have to pull the 4 bolts off, and slide off the rear bearing retainer off the shaft, but leave the shaft in place. push the bearing back in the the retainer, and replace the c clip.... sometimes the groove for the c clip is damaged, and you have to replace the rear retainer housing. If your seal on the pto is leaking, now is the time to replace it as well. re install housing with a new gasket if the old gasket is damaged. If reusing old gasket, use gasket sealer.

Fluid will run out, but if you park the tractor down hill a bit, you will not loose any fluid. be sure to put it in gear and set the brakes if you park it on a slope. Or you can catch the bit of fluid and top off the rear when done with new fluid..

Thanks all for the help. It is a 4 cylinder and I will try the suggestions. Should be fun...

That is one of the easier repairs actually. Drain the oil from all 3 compartments, transmission, hydraulics, and rear end differential. Remove the 4 bolts on the casting that holds the assembly in place and pull it out. You can see the parts in the diagram from the attached link. I replaced the bearing, the bushing, sleeve, oil seal and rings. They show 2 oil seals, I only replaced the one is in the casting/housing. I think the other is the one inside, same one that over time may leak and allow the hydraulic oil mix with the transmission. This is the basis of the recommendation using the current version of 134D in all the compartments came from, if they co-mingle from a leak, no worry vs using 90 wt in the trans and having that contaminate the hydraulic oil. I used an appropriate size pipe and slid it over the shaft to set the bushing or sleeve, hard to remember now but this made it easy, the rest was simple too. If you have excess end play, that ring may have come off and or broke. That may occur with a shock load forcing inward from a pto shaft that is stiff and does not slide. Your seal may be leaking as well, so with that and the fluid change, you are getting some preventative maintenance done as well. Check for metal fines in the sumps of the compartments. You can see in there with a bright LED flashlight if you want to look while the fluids are drained.
61 64 2000 PTO assembly

thrust play on the pto shaft? if yes, you need to check the split rings and bearing carrier, before the shaft end gets mushroomed and chewed up.