800 PTO Shaft

[Rich.Fl]

I have an 800 series tractor I use to mow using a bush hog. The lever to engage the PTO occasionally pops out of gear. I notice the PTO shaft has about 1/2" forward and backwards play. I am guessing this may be the problem. I assume I need to remove the PTO shaft and see what is going on.

Any thoughts? Is the play in the shaft likely causing the problem? I have never removed a PTO shaft on a similar tractor. How difficult?

 

[Sean in PA]

There is a circlip on the shaft that holds it in position forward/rearward relative to the plate on the back of the tractor that the shaft comes out through. It sounds like the circlip popped out of position. Once you open it up and correct that, make sure that your external PTO shaft from the tractor to the bush hog isn't too long and is lubricated well so that it telescopes in and out as you raise and lower the lift arms and never reaches its shortest possible length during the raising and lowering of the mower. It is usually an external PTO shaft that seems to be the right length, but when you raise the lift the shaft has to shorten and then, when it reaches its shortest length, raising it higher causes the external shaft to push the tractor's PTO shaft forward and that pops the circlip out of place.

 

[Rich.Fl]

Sean-Thanks for that!
I suspect your "Diagnosis" is correct. Several days ago when the problem started I noticed the shaft on the mower wasn't telescoping properly and suspected it was bent. I put a different shaft on that was working properly and the problem continued...so I suspect the original bent shaft pushed the circlip out.

I will take things apart today and report back...Thanks Again!!

 

[Rich.Fl]

When I took the PTO shaft out the circlips were in place. However, there is still about 1/2" of play forwards and backwards through the housing/bearings. Here are two pictures that show the play. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Sean in PA]

Have you removed the bearing to see if it is worn?

 

[Rich.Fl]

I have not taken it apart but sounds like that is the next step and will do that next.
I see the circlip keeps the shaft from moving backwards. Is the bearing (pressed onto the shaft?) what keeps it from moving forward?
Thanks!!

 

[Sean in PA]

There is a second circlip on the other side of the bearing.

 

[Rich.Fl]

Thanks for that! I see one on the shaft and a larger one in front of the bearing on the housing. Is there a third one on the other side of the bearing on the shaft? Looking in the IT manual I only see the two.

But I can't get the darn circlips off anyhow. Tried with pliers, screw drivers etc. and it was getting dangerous. Ordered a special pliers that hopefully will work better.
Thanks Again for the help!

 

[Sean in PA]

I'm pretty sure that there are only two circlips. You definitely need set of circlip pliers to remove and reinstall them.