Power shaft loose?

[DBurt2024]

My 1946 John Deere B ....the power shaft lever just moves freely and does not seem to be engaging any gears....PTO is not engaging.... The tractor is new to me so I may not being doing something correct. It did grind a gear while running....so maybe it needs to be in neutral..clutch not moving....but understand the clutch needs to be engaged for PTO to be engaged. Any guidance will be appreciated. Trying to get the PTO powered up because I have a three point hitch I want to use for possible back blade or plowing...thanks for your words of advice

 

[Pete in MD]

My 1946 John Deere B ....the power shaft lever just moves freely and does not seem to be engaging any gears....PTO is not engaging.... The tractor is new to me so I may not being doing something correct. It did grind a gear while running....so maybe it needs to be in neutral..clutch not moving....but understand the clutch needs to be engaged for PTO to be engaged. Any guidance will be appreciated. Trying to get the PTO powered up because I have a three point hitch I want to use for possible back blade or plowing...thanks for your words of advice

To engage the pto shaft the clutch must be disengaged and the belt pulley not turning, i.e. the belt pulley brake applied. Are you turning the pto lever clockwise?

 

[DBurt2024]

Yes....turning the lever clockwise or downward....don't feel anything.

 

[Pete in MD]

Yes....turning the lever clockwise or downward....don't feel anything.

Time to take the transmission cover off and see what's not working the way it should.

 

[super99]

My 1946 John Deere B ....the power shaft lever just moves freely and does not seem to be engaging any gears....PTO is not engaging.... The tractor is new to me so I may not being doing something correct. It did grind a gear while running....so maybe it needs to be in neutral..clutch not moving....but understand the clutch needs to be engaged for PTO to be engaged. Any guidance will be appreciated. Trying to get the PTO powered up because I have a three point hitch I want to use for possible back blade or plowing...thanks for your words of advice

How far is the lever moving? On my 70, the lever would move a couple inches when disengaged, it moved 8 inches or so when engaging, sometimes had to turn the belt pulley a little to make the gears line up.

 

[DBurt2024]

Time to take the transmission cover off and see what's not working the way it should.

Oh no....that will mean taking the steering wheel off...and the tower.the 1946 has the gauges in the column along with the accelerator not sure but maybe the seat too.. looking for a parts picture to see how or what it should be connected to...or how it moves gears to mess.

 

[Mark-Ia]

If you go to www.jdparts.com for the parts book on the B, under the Powershaft section, there it shows a cotter key that attaches the PTO lever to the engaging mechanism, that cotter key is probably sheared. You will need to split the tractor to access it. Don't think you can access it by taking the rear cover off.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Oh no....that will mean taking the steering wheel off...and the tower.the 1946 has the gauges in the column along with the accelerator not sure but maybe the seat too.. looking for a parts picture to see how or what it should be connected to...or how it moves gears to mess.

Unfortunately that is the price of playing with 80 year old tractors...

 

[DBurt2024]

If you go to www.jdparts.com for the parts book on the B, under the Powershaft section, there it shows a cotter key that attaches the PTO lever to the engaging mechanism, that cotter key is probably sheared. You will need to split the tractor to access it. Don't think you can access it by taking the rear cover off.

Just exactly do you mean split the tractor? Too expensive to hire done....beyond my knowledge....I found the parts pictures and a great e it is probably the cotter key near the bottom of the shaft.

 

[bob p mn]

I had the same problem on a couple of my Deeres, I believe one each an A and a B I'm sure I was able to replace the cotter pin by taking the cover off the tranny. It wasn't easy but doable, I know I never split the tractor to do it. All though I've split them to rebuild the transmissions as well. I don't remember for sure exactly what the problem was it may have been the cotter pin that holds the spring near the top of the lever, I do remember fighting that spring. I am sure the problem will be evident when you remove the top cover. The problem may have been when the cotter pin gave out the shifter raised up enough for the shift arm to disengage from the shift collar on the sliding gear. Either way if I remember correctly only parts needed were the cotter pin and a new top cover gasket.

 

[DBurt2024]

I had the same problem on a couple of my Deeres, I believe one each an A and a B I'm sure I was able to replace the cotter pin by taking the cover off the tranny. It wasn't easy but doable, I know I never split the tractor to do it. All though I've split them to rebuild the transmissions as well. I don't remember for sure exactly what the problem was it may have been the cotter pin that holds the spring near the top of the lever, I do remember fighting that spring. I am sure the problem will be evident when you remove the top cover. The problem may have been when the cotter pin gave out the shifter raised up enough for the shift arm to disengage from the shift collar on the sliding gear. Either way if I remember correctly only parts needed were the cotter pin and a new top cover gasket.

Bless you..bless you.....I needed to hear some hopeful news today.....it seems like everything is fighting me....lots of things to fix...found water leak under Dr the house this am....taking the cover off will be a big project....steering wheel ..tower....maybe the seat....Lord, help me!

 

[JIM MN]

Look at your replies on the John Deere site??

 

[Loosehandle]

I had the same problem on a couple of my Deeres, I believe one each an A and a B I'm sure I was able to replace the cotter pin by taking the cover off the tranny. It wasn't easy but doable, I know I never split the tractor to do it. All though I've split them to rebuild the transmissions as well. I don't remember for sure exactly what the problem was it may have been the cotter pin that holds the spring near the top of the lever, I do remember fighting that spring. I am sure the problem will be evident when you remove the top cover. The problem may have been when the cotter pin gave out the shifter raised up enough for the shift arm to disengage from the shift collar on the sliding gear. Either way if I remember correctly only parts needed were the cotter pin and a new top cover gasket.

I agree, ice in the bottom of transmission is what did in my cotter pin.

 

[ken44520978]

DBurt2024: I had the same thing on a 1941B that turned out to be a very easy fix. Before you take anything apart try this first. Stand up on the platform and grip the PTO shift lever with both hands and pull upward. I was able to lift it up against spring pressure and turn it all the way one way or the other then let it go back down. On mine it put the mechanism back into place and it works perfectly. I don't know if you are supposed to be able to lift it or not but the spring holds the lever down and the shift fork in place. Good luck.

 

[DBurt2024]

DBurt2024: I had the same thing on a 1941B that turned out to be a very easy fix. Before you take anything apart try this first. Stand up on the platform and grip the PTO shift lever with both hands and pull upward. I was able to lift it up against spring pressure and turn it all the way one way or the other then let it go back down. On mine it put the mechanism back into place and it works perfectly. I don't know if you are supposed to be able to lift it or not but the spring holds the lever down and the shift fork in place. Good luck.

Something weird is going on with mine. Yesterday I took the B for a ride to test it for our up coming 4th of July parade. After getting back into my garage I put the girl in neutral and engaged the clutch. Checked the PTO and it was going around. Disengaged clutch...it stopped. Having a small leak in the power lift/trol..I drained the oil hoping to patch where I see the drip is coming from..so could not test the lift to see if it would work . Problem I see is if the power shaft is engaged , that creates some danger even with the guard on. They say you should always disengage PTO when not in use. I actually did what you are suggesting...stood over the power shaft pulling upward but never could feel anything. Want to make it right on the end. Thank you Ken.