Bush Hog PTO shaft safety cover removal? Yes or No???

mike1972chev

Well-known Member
I have a 286 bush Hog I pull behind my Super M. I have had it for about 10 years now. Recently the plastic sleeve over the PTO shaft that acts as a guard cover is coming loose at the slip yoke end where it hooks up at the tractor. (In the pics you can see where the plastic bolt have broken away.)I greased it EVERY TIME I used it,but it is coming apart now.

I can get parts to repair it,I am sure.But I DO NOT really feel I need it on there anyway.The the hitch mounting on the mower pretty much covers over the top of the shaft if it would break a U joint and I am no where going near the PTO when it is running.

My question is: should I get parts to repair it,or should I just remove the plastic cover completely and be done with it totally????

Thoughts,opinions???
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You can do what you want, it is yours, BUT no shop can do any repairs and send it out without the safty cover. If you ever let anyone use the machine you could be held liable, I know it's a long shot but is it really worth the chance?
 
Looks like you have been over greasing it. Almost as bad as not greasing it. If you are the only one using it, you rolls your dice, and you takes your chances. I keep mine clean, and just enough oil to let the 2 halves slide. When I am done with it, I pull the front half off, and store it so it drains, on the mower. That way I always have it handy, and it's never rust frozen together. The shield is available, I think, at Agrisupply.com, I think.
 

I'd fix it for no other reason than SOMEONE at SOME TIME is going to borrow or use it, cause a disaster with their stupidity, and because of a missing guard, you could then be liable for.

Safety gear isn't about protecting safe people, it's about protecting idiots, in the classical sense of the word.
 
I tore up the shield on my 286, [don"t ask], and ran it for a short time without the shield. I got tired of cutting wrapped hay off the shaft real quick. Even if the shield just kind of floats on the shaft it still better than none.
 
First off LOOSE the grease gun on the plastic shields!!!! All that does is holds the dirt in the shield.

Second all yours needs is cleaned up and put back together. All you need is a new inter plastic piece. They will not be much money. Maybe $5-10. Then clean off all the grease and Do not grease it again. The steel slides and the cross needs grease the plastic shield does not. Take the chains off the shield and let it rotate with the PTO shaft while it is running. Just make sure the shield will stop while the shaft is running. This way there is little wear on the shield as it is not stopped all of the time. Just when ever something rubs up against it.

As for running it without any shield. You are gambling with your life and anyone that is around that shaft. The complete new shield would not be over $50-75 at the most. I value my life and others too much to run ANYTHING without a PTO shield!!!!
 
Thanks for ALL opinions submitted.:)
I found Bush Hog's web sight and downloaded a PDF of my model of mower.(They have REALLY good parts schematics.) I will take the slider tubes apart and clean and lube and get some new plastic bearing parts ordered for them. I am impressed they lasted 10 years being a totally plastic bearing!!!

Probably a real good idea to run a guard. ;)(Even though none of our older ones had them.) JD,I am going to clean all of the grease off of the plastic tubes and just oil them lightly so the will slide. There is A LOT of grease that has accumulated in them in the last 10 years !!!! lol
 

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