I've got two 149's and when I rebuilt the PTO's the levers were tight. In the PTO rebuild kit is a gauge to assist in setting the levers to their proper height and tension. From your post it sounds like you had someone else rebuild the PTO so perhaps they didn't use the gauge. Also, I always put Lock-Tite on the bolt/screw threads.
For what its worth, even though I have wide frames, I use the narrow frame PTO kit. The difference is the spring tips. On the wide frame the spring tip is flat, on the narrow frame the spring tip is bent inwards. I found the bent tips version held the center thrust button in position much better, so the three levers couldn't slip off the button. These have last six years since I rebuilt them. I also use a bronze PTO button, instead of the OEM fiber button, and a stainless steel thrust button, instead of the OEM steel.
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