PTO won t stay engaged

52geemsee · Jun 7, 2019

1963 4000 4 cylinder gas 5 speed trans
PTO. Will not stay engaged. Tractor is new to me and today while using bush hog any time the mower hit a tough spot PTO would disengage. I was a long way from the house so I used a tarp strap to keep the PTO lever in the engages position. I know, not a good idea.

I can move the PTO shaft in and out by hand about 3/4". Could this be part of the problem? I have not yet pulled to the PTO lever cover to have a look.

RobCons · Jun 7, 2019

Most likely it will be the pto shaft housing at rear of tractor. There is a snap ring that holds the bearing and shaft in place. Either the ring is broken or the housing itself is broken. Either condition allows the shaft to walk out of the coupler basically. Drain the hydraulic chamber and differential of fluids. Remove the 4 bolts and pull the shaft to inspect.

Ultradog MN · Jun 8, 2019

RobCons has it - both on the symptom and
repair.
I would add, it's usually caused by a
drive shaft that is too long. When you
raise the mower on the 3 point the
geometry back there pushes the mower
drive shaft forward.
So check the length of your mower's
drive shaft. If too long it will
immediately cause this problem again.

showcrop · Jun 8, 2019

In addition to what UD said check for smooth telescoping of the implement PTO shaft. A slight twist or bend or rust will put load on the tractor bearing.

52geemsee · Jun 8, 2019

(quoted from post at 03:21:28 06/08/19)
In addition to what UD said check for smooth telescoping of the implement PTO shaft. A slight twist or bend or rust will put load on the tractor bearing.

Pulled the pto shaft and the only thing I could find wrong was the bearing retainer was about 1/2" from being seated against the bearing. Everything else appears to be fine.

Used a brass punch and drove the retainer against the bearing. Seemed like a nice tight fit. I wondering if it was never installed correctly? Pto seal was not leaking anything to speak of so retainer was into the seal far enough to prevent leaks but allowed shaft to move in and out.

Thoughts? Thanks

RobCons · Jun 8, 2019

The retainer, snap ring, should have seated into a small groove right in front of the bearing. Thats what keeps free play to a minimum. If the implement pto drive shaft can push and pull the tractor's shaft in and out it will eventually turn off the pto by uncoupling it.

Ultradog MN · Jun 8, 2019

52geemsee · Jun 9, 2019

Just so I m clear the retainer has a snap ring on the shaft next to the bearing to keep it from moving? The snap rings that hold the bearing in the housing seem to be in place. Looks like the retainer is the only thing moving on the shaft.

Jeepjeepster · Jun 11, 2019

My 3000 was doing the same thing but it had less than 3/4" play. Ive not used it since replacing everything.

Mine was missing the small snap ring and the retainer had slightly moved. Found the snap ring broke in the rear axle. Went ahead and replaced everything so it was all new. Used a press to get the old retainer off and was able to heat up the new retainer, it just fell right on.

If its the same as the 3000 its small snap ring, bearing, retainer. Then after you push the housing back on a big snap ring keeps the housing in place. Maybe Im wrong but theres no way a brass punch wouldve moved my retainer. It was TIGHT. Sounds like its a little loose.

52geemsee · Jun 12, 2019

I agree. Going to order complete new assembly and not to worry about.

Thanks to all.

TinCan · Jun 13, 2019

Is my '63 4000 SOS, PTO output shaft setup the same as this one? Can I just remove the 4 bolts that hold the seal cover on, and then pull the shaft out, to replace the gasket & seal, and then just re-insert it back in.

Thanks, Pat

PTO won t stay engaged

52geemsee

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RobCons

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Ultradog MN

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showcrop

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52geemsee

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RobCons

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Ultradog MN

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52geemsee

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Jeepjeepster

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52geemsee

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TinCan

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