Fixing a John Deere Mower Deck PTO Shaft

[@iowaballroom]

Perfect. The PTO shaft on my John Deere 455 Snow thrower WAS NOT locking into place correctly. Your breakdown was great and I was able to fix my problem, start to finish, including removal and installation of shaft, in an hour. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video.

[@dand3975]

Thank you for posting the video, my shaft coupler was locked up. Your video pointed me in the right direction.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching

[@vicbaker8367]

You might have taken too much stuff for granted. As a grandma, recently widowed, I didn’t even know my mower had a PTO shaft until an hour ago. We are the folks that need this video. ( cannot get mine off, and didn’t understand the mechanics. ). I will go and try again with what you showed, but there was a lot you didn’t show. Best video I could find though.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks so much for your comments. I'm sorry there wasn't enough detail on this for you. I generally look at something and think "is this supposed to move freely?" and if it's not why not? Once that is determined it's usually pretty easy it apart to clean. Just take your time and stay organized with what you disassemble. Please do let me know how you end up. Best of luck.

[@vicbaker8367]

@@CleanSlateFarm : Ha Ha, I couldn’t get the shaft disconnected ( didn’t know how). After watching your explanation I decided mine must have the same problem and because I couldn’t get it off, it must just be stuck with gunk. So I fiddled with it a while ( at 10* below zero in an Unheated shop, whine whine whine) and it dropped into my hand. You gave enough info to get me started. Thanks. Then I put the plow on and got busy. Couldn’t have done it without your help. And Yes, I’ll certainly clean it up before reassemble.

[@benjaminboettcher67]

The open end of the spring should be resting on the washer, closed end of spring should seat into the yoke collar. If installed upside down the spring may unseat from the collar and poke out the end of the yoke.

[@DK-vx1zc]

Thanks for this video! it helped me diagnose my Kubota PTO connection, which is the same as the JD !!

[@CleanSlateFarm]

D K thanks for watching. I'm glad it helped out.

[@FarmitCaledon]

Thanks for the video. Exactly what I needed

[@lensparks3153]

Sorry about my previous comment. I was wrong. I got confused with a part that was not part of this assembly. Your instructions were perfect. Much appreciated. Please ignore my previous comment. As an aside it is essential to change the oil and filter in your transaxle as recommended or sooner. You can do some serious damage due to overheating if this is not done in a timely manner.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks, Len. glad to help

[@PittsburghDani]

Sick sweater.

[@willh1082]

Are they all supposed to have 4 small bearings? I took mine apart and have only been able to see the 2 larger ones (which are also somehow missing which is part of my problem)

[@CleanSlateFarm]

It's hard for me to say. If it's a different model tractor or deck or combination it may be a different design. Go to the manufacturer's website and look for the parts catalog for your particular model. But it does sound like you may have a problem. Thanks for commenting.

[@me77you]

Nice video, but it would have helped a lot if you showed how you put the bearings in. I've had this issue once and had to go to JD. This would be perfect (at least for me) if you had just shown how you put the bearings in that holder.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks for watching. If you put a dab of grease on the ball it should be enough to hold it in place until reassembly.

[@me77you]

First, thank you very much for your prompt response. OK, now I understand. I was trying to figure out how you held the 6 ball bearings in place in their holes at the same time while sliding it inside the outer holder. Now I'm all set for the next time which in my case usually means it'll never happen again now that I'm ready for it. Thanks again !!!

[@chainsawsandmore5480]

*essential* piece thank you sir!

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Most welcome!

[@lensparks3153]

On my 60" mower the drive shaft to to the pto has a coupling like you show however there is another part you don't show it fits after the washer and spring are installed and prior to installing the cover and spring clip. The problem I experienced is positioning the cover. I know the spring clip will keep everything in place but I had difficulty in seating everything before even getting to that point. Any hints please?

[@CleanSlateFarm]

LEN SPARKS if the spring clip has two holes in it there are a special pair of clip pliers you use to expand the clip to install. The pliers work in reverse of regular pliers if that makes sense. They are called ring clip pliers I think and your hardware store should have them. Mine have interchangeable noses for different kinds of clips. Hope that helps.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

LEN SPARKS and trying to hold everything in place was a little tricky but not impossible.

[@ronk8135]

Thanks for the video I would like to kick the guy in the ball-bearings that designed this pto connector.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

That wouldn't hurt as much as disconnecting the PTO. How about we lock him in a room with the PTO as the lock...he'll never get out. Thanks for commenting...you get best of month.