Wide Frame Mech PTO
 

Can some one tell me a way to determine if the Mech PTO springs are bad?

The reason I ask is because I keep having problems with the three fingers becoming loose and falling out of the center button. I have used the gauge on reassembly but as soon as it spins a few time with the starter the fingers are rattling. The springs are bent or bowed when I take it apart. I think they are broken from over tightening because they were bowed when I took it apart the first time. If I reassemble with the bow out the next time I take it apart the bow is the opposite way. It's like they have lost their spring. I would just like confirm this before a spend the money on new ones.

The PO had ran it without a working PTO long enough the button and fingers were worn off in the middle from the rock shaft. The disk itself looks brand new. I took it apart and replaced the worn pieces but can not get the fingers to stay tight or the clutch to work more then a couple of times before it has to come apart again. This always ends up getting the button on the rock shaft too.

Maybe a picture would help.......

It has been my experience that if the flat 3 finger springs get hot, they loose their ability to "spring" once this happens turning them over is no different than putting a regular old piece of tin in there.

If everything else is good, new springs are available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Jk8tBGB8M

Check out around 6:56
Looks like just the ends of the fingers should be bent slightly not the plate itself

Looks like he forgot the three other nuts....

Thanks guys, that confirms my suspicions. Hurry up payday!