Didn't get any bites here on the forum of what to do when the PTO shaft sticks in the pilot bearing while splitting a tractor. My DB885 PTO shaft had pulled out along with the tractor front half for about five inches, firmly stuck in the back of the crankshaft the by the time I gave up.
So, FWIW to anybody interested, here is what I did: Bored a hole in a 3" long piece of 3" round aluminum to an I.D. of 1.117". Mid-way down the parts length I spot faced and drilled and tapped two holes, one on either side of the bored hole to 3/8"-16. Then cut it in half lengthwise with a key-way cutter and through drilled the half with the spot face one size over 3/8". This gave me a split collar with a mild interference fit to the PTO shaft. When clamped on the PTO shaft it provided a place to pry the PTO shaft back out of the pilot bearing.
In my case rust, likely accumulated from condensation was the culprit along with a very long spell where the PTO clutch wouldn't disengage.
So, FWIW to anybody interested, here is what I did: Bored a hole in a 3" long piece of 3" round aluminum to an I.D. of 1.117". Mid-way down the parts length I spot faced and drilled and tapped two holes, one on either side of the bored hole to 3/8"-16. Then cut it in half lengthwise with a key-way cutter and through drilled the half with the spot face one size over 3/8". This gave me a split collar with a mild interference fit to the PTO shaft. When clamped on the PTO shaft it provided a place to pry the PTO shaft back out of the pilot bearing.
In my case rust, likely accumulated from condensation was the culprit along with a very long spell where the PTO clutch wouldn't disengage.
