PTO shaft adapter assistance

[ship4brains]

I picked up a older bush hog finish mower last week. I was paying more attention to the overall condition and not once did I look at the PTO shaft like a dummy. The PTO shaft is newer but does not have a quick coupler on the tractor end. The yolk has a smooth bore and is cross bored for a bolt or shear pin. I ran to my local tractor stores and couldn't find a quick coupler with a round boss to adapt to this. What's missing here? Short of replacing the whole PTO shaft I know I could purchase just the correct yolk and tear apart the universal joint and reassemble. Any other options?

 

[ship4brains]

The other end of the PTO shaft is blind and has a quick connect. This just is not the right shaft for this application.

 

[sotxbill]

Your probably not going to find an adapter for anywhere near the price of a total pto shaft new or changing the yoke out. Look at a new pto shaft in total to set your budget. $85.70 delivered as I have prime. But usually cost more at $185...give or take.

https://www.amazon.com/Tractor-Spli...4ea9b1b1ab64819fe4&qid=1783868976&sr=8-9&th=1

 

[ship4brains]

Your probably not going to find an adapter for anywhere near the price of a total pto shaft new or changing the yoke out. Look at a new pto shaft in total to set your budget. $85.70 delivered as I have prime. But usually cost more at $185...give or take.

https://www.amazon.com/Tractor-Spline-Replacement-Safety-Finishing/dp/B0GKNPSNGW?adgrpid=1334807678960340&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RFsxSLc4f_2XtGZUP_oamw0291VOX1lqD_7XgIKUeC5sjZGG_gaMY414EampAqb4JGRmvRV5mzIXw61pqS0DB4NPWOzIo_b4xIG88yPHH2nXVhItD0--TieyZa9B47xG-ymHJR8Wj6eSe62SiOEHvgPh5dPjQ_AHJ_pTzEz1lwlbHKEGu2UZnlDJo8H_RYTIfl1Cr7QH1OY2uHkVjWSMtJbUX2O29nLoc4ewRMICycM.W4F1rdmuLBYIqc68hkXilErpagl4wWX8fKQhU5aarsg&dib_tag=se&gb=2&hvadid=83425895860095&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=72917&hvnetw=o&hvocijid=13365849234814912637--&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83425820020084:loc-190&hydadcr=16731_13846367&keywords=540+pto+shaft&mcid=f2dfa6b08f95374ea9b1b1ab64819fe4&qid=1783868976&sr=8-9&th=1

The link you sent me is essentially The identical shaft I have. It is splined on one end and smooth bore on the other. I guess the problem is the gearbox on my mower is also splined so I need a shaft with splines and quick connects on both ends. At least I know what the problem is now.

 

[ship4brains]

Your probably not going to find an adapter for anywhere near the price of a total pto shaft new or changing the yoke out. Look at a new pto shaft in total to set your budget. $85.70 delivered as I have prime. But usually cost more at $185...give or take.

https://www.amazon.com/Tractor-Spline-Replacement-Safety-Finishing/dp/B0GKNPSNGW?adgrpid=1334807678960340&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RFsxSLc4f_2XtGZUP_oamw0291VOX1lqD_7XgIKUeC5sjZGG_gaMY414EampAqb4JGRmvRV5mzIXw61pqS0DB4NPWOzIo_b4xIG88yPHH2nXVhItD0--TieyZa9B47xG-ymHJR8Wj6eSe62SiOEHvgPh5dPjQ_AHJ_pTzEz1lwlbHKEGu2UZnlDJo8H_RYTIfl1Cr7QH1OY2uHkVjWSMtJbUX2O29nLoc4ewRMICycM.W4F1rdmuLBYIqc68hkXilErpagl4wWX8fKQhU5aarsg&dib_tag=se&gb=2&hvadid=83425895860095&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=72917&hvnetw=o&hvocijid=13365849234814912637--&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83425820020084:loc-190&hydadcr=16731_13846367&keywords=540+pto+shaft&mcid=f2dfa6b08f95374ea9b1b1ab64819fe4&qid=1783868976&sr=8-9&th=1

I guess the good news is I was able to find a shaft with the proper connections on both ends. Bad news is I had to buy another shaft but I can use this one on my other mower. That's what I get for buying used stuff. Live and hopefully learn

 

[used red MN]

That's what I get for buying used stuff.

Did you buy it from a dealer or an individual? If you bought it from some type of a dealer or business they should provide a PTO shaft that works on the machine.

 

[m16ty]

Check and make sure somebody didn’t install the shaft backwards. That looks like the end that goes to the gearbox and a shear bolt through the hole.

If not the cheapest solution will likely be just buy a new yoke with the proper splines and quick release.

 

[used red MN]

Check and make sure somebody didn’t install the shaft backwards. That looks like the end that goes to the gearbox and a shear bolt through the hole.

If not the cheapest solution will likely be just buy a new yoke with the proper splines and quick release.

Read ALL the replies, what a concept! Check reply 4, his mower gear box is also splined.

 

[da.bees]

Read all the replies, what a concept! Check reply 4, his mower gear box is also splined.

And that's because the clutch went bad sometime in past and owner discarded clutch then cheeped out with this sorry solution. I'd be scared stiff the pin would shear and allow pto shaft to thrash about.
Finish mowers are a different implement,intended for different purpose than "Butch Hogs". "Butch Hog" shafts are designed so as not to slip or shear in heavy grass but when immovable object is struck. Finish mower construction (gearbox in particular) isn't robust enough to cut saplings and rank growth ,therefore depend on properly adjusted slip-clutch for protection.

 

[m16ty]

Read ALL the replies, what a concept! Check reply 4, his mower gear box is also splined.

Thanks for the tip, I’ll try to reply in a way that suits you personally from now on.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I guess the good news is I was able to find a shaft with the proper connections on both ends. Bad news is I had to buy another shaft but I can use this one on my other mower. That's what I get for buying used stuff. Live and hopefully learn

I just purchased a shaft assembly complete with slip clutch from Amazon for about $119. The slip clutch end is six spline with two bolts which clamp the yoke to the shaft. The tractor end is quick connect. I'm going to guess your finish mower does not utilize a slip clutch as there must be a belt driving the blades?

 

[Russ from MN]

When we had a King Kutter brush mower with a shear pin there was a snap ring on the end of the gearbox shaft to prevent the drive shaft from coming off. I got tired of changing shear bolts in the flies and mosquitos, so I installed a slip clutch! If you have as many rocks and stumps as we do you should probably install a slip clutch too!

 

[Fixingfarmer]

And that's because the clutch went bad sometime in past and owner discarded clutch then cheeped out with this sorry solution. I'd be scared stiff the pin would shear and allow pto shaft to thrash about.
Finish mowers are a different implement,intended for different purpose than "Butch Hogs". "Butch Hog" shafts are designed so as not to slip or shear in heavy grass but when immovable object is struck. Finish mower construction (gearbox in particular) isn't robust enough to cut saplings and rank growth ,therefore depend on properly adjusted slip-clutch for protection.

it’s likely that the owner didn’t operate it that way. He SOLD it that way. Either a slip clutch was on the round end currently attached to the mower side and is now flipped around. Or a shear bolt assembly is on that end and it’s the correct direction missing bolt and the whole shear assembly.

Either way I’d measure it see if it’s close to hooking up and then do as bob bancroft suggested purchase a new shaft with a slip clutch and since you have the option I’d put the slip clutch at the mower end

Also it is the same faded red as my bush hog batwing it’s quite possible it’s a Bush Hog branded finish mower and if the owner is interested in seeing what was there he can search it if there’s a model number tag.

 

[trackrat]

The seller just replaced the shaft and never looked or cared if it was the right one

 

[TerryfromSWIowa]

Yep wrong shaft my Land Pride finish mower has a splined in both ends. No slip clutch.