PTO reattachment

Jimmy Walker said:

Pick your attachment up off the ground first and you may be able to spin the pto shaft easy after that. Sometimes you can turn tiller tines or rotary cutter blade by hand too.

Don't forget to have engine off when making / breaking pto connection.

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Wow thanks so much! That makes perfect sense.

Here's another hint for making PTO hookup easier.


And another idea. When your implement is finally connected, cut a block of wood (like a 4x4) to length so the PTO shaft just rests on top of it. Label which implement that piece goes with. Next time you are connecing the implement, rest the shaft on the block of wood. That holds it in position vertically and then you can just slide the shaft forward and rotate it without having to support its weight. Think of it as similar to a custom height jack stand for each implement, or like having a third hand.

Another option would be an overrunning clutch on the pto. This would allow the pto shaft to turn one direction easily.

HOWEVER, this may require your Implements to need the pto shafts shortened for proper fit. I like using an overrunning clutch as it saves wear and tear on the tractors pto drive clutch/brake system. This is a big plus on implements like a bush hog, with large spinning mass.

Jimmy Walker said:

Don't forget to have engine off when making / breaking pto connection.

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I think this part should be highlighted with neon sparkles. Never never trust the pto switch. It's just an electrical relay which could fail/malfunction/be accidentally activated by someone else while your hands are engaged with a high-horsepower blender.

ladyhawke4life said:

Hey guys & gals,
Is there a farmer's secret to aligning the spines on the PTO as I reattach it to tractor so I can use this tiller?

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In addition to all the fantastic suggestions/advice given in the thread so far, you could also look at one of the several "pto quick-attach" solutions that are available that makes this process much much easier (from what I have seen/heard..I don't have personal experience yet). JD sells a system, and there are other 3rd party systems out there too.

The connection of the PTO shaft is made easier if

• Make sure the collar on the implement shaft slides and releases, before trying to connect to the tractor. In order to connect the implement PTO shaft, you have to pull back the locking ring on the implement shaft to make sure its free and can slide back and forth. If the collar doesn't slide easily. its harder to align on the PTO shaft.
• Keep the inside of the sliding collar sprayed with a metal lubricant, preferably one which doesn't attract dirt so the collar slides freely at all times.
• Fluid Film or Amsoil Metal Protector or a similar product works well.
• Spray the end of the tractor's PTO shaft as well, to make sliding the locking collar on easier.
• If the tractor is so equipped, place the PTO shaft selector lever so the PTO on the tractor turns freely by hand, to make small adjustments for aligning the PTO shafts to the tractor.

There are 3 steel balls inside of the collar which help to lock the "fork" onto the tractor's PTO shaft. Here is an image of the connecting end of the PTO shaft for the RT1142, RT1149, RT1157 and RT1165 tillers from Frontier. If the locking collar doesn't release easily before connecting to the tractor, its harder to get the PTO shaft connected. This is the area you want to keep lubricated and operating freely............

Let us know what works best for you to get the PTO shaft connected. Its one of those things where practice makes perfect and it gets easier the more often the shaft is connected..

Make sure the PTO collar locks on the tractor's PTO shaft. Always give the connected shaft a good pull backwards, to make sure the locking collar is seated and locks the shaft onto the tractor. You definitely don't want the PTO shaft to disconnect during use........

You'll need to make sure your implement driveshaft pto coupler is released in preparation to engage the pto shaft. This may mean pulling a collar back or depressing a spring loaded button or plug.

No amount of alignment is going to get you where you need to go without first releasing the PTO locking mechanism.

Hi there
On your next implement, look at quick connect
John Deere Quik-Knect™ PTO Attachment System - YouTube



later edit - sorry, day late & dollar short. I see longhorn made same suggestion above.

Got PTO attached & working!
We are up & running earlier this morning.
Picking the tiller up off the ground & turning the blades slightly with foot made PTO shaft turn just enough to get in-line for hook-up.
I really like that idea of blocks of wood for vertical resting/holding in place prior to hook up.
It did feel like I needed another set of hands! And more strength! I am only a woman🤪🤣 but kept telling myself - the machine should do the work!

This is a great site!
Thanks so much to everyone who replied. Us newbies always have questions. And I love the comments & compliments!
By the way, it was my 64th birthday. Coming late to farming but have wanted to be here my whole life. God's grace got me here! Onward!

ladyhawke4life said:

Hey guys & gals,
Is there a farmer's secret to aligning the spines on the PTO as I reattach it to tractor so I can use this tiller?

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Place the PTO selector in front PTO spot. Then, you can rotate the PTO by hand to get the splines lined up. THEN can pull back collar/push button (depending on type) to push the PTO onto the shaft.

Make sure the shaft slides in and out easily. Clean the male end and lubricate with a light grease. If the safety cover prevents it from sliding try to sand the female part and spray with a penetrant. If that doesn't work get a new safety cover.

I do not grease my splines. I spray them with a lite lubricant. WD40 or similar works good.

You should be able to rotate the tractor spline enough for alignment with the engine off. As long as everything slides easy it makes connection much less of a hassle.

If the driveshaft has a slip clutch read up on how to make sure it's adjusted correctly. They need to be taken apart, cleaned, and adjusted annually. Don't think for a second the dealer did it.