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There are a couple of options that "lock" the tractor end of the shaft onto the PTO. Older equipment uses a pinch-bolt and/or a pin that goes through a hole in the knuckle that you line up with a hole in the splined shaft on the tractor. More modern equipment has a groove around the circumference of the PTO shaft on the tractor that a spring loaded pin on the knuckle pops into. You hold down the pin while starting the knuckle onto the tractor's PTO shaft, and it pops back up when it lines up with the groove, indicating that the knuckle is locked in place. If you are unfamiliar with PTO driven equipment, (and it sounds like you are) be aware that having ALL THE SHIELDS IN PLACE is critical to your safety. That spinning shaft will grab a loose pantleg, wrap you up and pound you into the ground before you have a chance to say "Oh, sh..." Even with the shields, make it a habit to wait until ALL MOVING PARTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED before climbing off the tractor. Also, just taking the PTO out of gear and leaving the tractor running while working on a clogged mower or jammed blade is a good way to get dead real quick (and messy). TURN THE ENGINE OFF before working on any PTO powered equipment. All time consuming, but at least if you do it that way, you have time to consume...
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