Stuck yoke on post digger

perryjosh64 · Feb 18, 2023

Folks this is on a old post hole digger I was given. The PTO shaft is worn out needs replacing. How to remove the yoke on implement end as I can t get 3 arm gear puller under the yoke? Any ideas suggestions welcomed.

Janicholson · Feb 18, 2023

Use a die grinder (Purchase one if yu don't have one, they are very useful) with a cutoff wheel to slice the sides of the yoke on opposite sides. It doesn't need to be the full length of the stub shaft engagement, but 80% will do. Take the slice depth down to near the shaft. Then use a cold chisel in the slice to spread it from one side. Jim

Steve in VA · Feb 18, 2023

I had similar on digger. I ran bolt
through ears on yoke, chains to a tractor,
strapped gear box the a tree and drove
off. It worked for me.

fastfarmall · Feb 18, 2023

Or if you got a cutting torch,, heat it up red not on one side, it will come off !!!

MARK ROBKE · Feb 18, 2023

I would use a 't' bar puller. The cross goes thru the yoke and the bolt pushes against the shaft. Mark.

used red MN · Feb 18, 2023

Fast said ..heat it up red n(h)ot on one side.. then change your seal on the shaft because it probably got ruined. Could try a 2 jaw puller, see link or go to Harbor Freight. If it will not hook under the bottom edge weld a big bolt or chunk of steel on each side. Actually the cut off wheel is probably the best answer.

Tony in SD · Feb 18, 2023

If you are repairing the PYO PHD for the enjoyment factor, go ahead. But if you are trying to be frugal, my best advice, take it or leave it, is to quit wasting your time & money on a dangerous and
seriously antiquated PTO PHD. Rent, hire or buy a skid steer with a PHD. They are superior in every way. The skid steer is safer, faster, cleaner holes, has the work right in front of you, you can adjust
the plumbness on the go, has down pressure, has reverse if you hit something, will lift higher thus dig deeper if needed and no dangerous PTO. Ive used both and will not even look at a 3PT PTO PHD
for all the above reasons.

moresmoke · Feb 18, 2023

If you put the side of the yoke against something solid, and work the other side with a hammer and punch, it will enlarge the ID of the yoke.

Or a bearing splitter to grab the yoke and cross bar puller to pull it off.

RogerinIowa · Feb 18, 2023

The yoke looks okay? Is it ruined?
If not, leave in place. You can replace
the cross.
If seal leaks, fill with corn head
grease.
PHD beats the heck out of the two stick
types. Do be careful, especially
bystanders.

DoubleO7 · Feb 18, 2023

Use a piece of round bar steel bar as big as what will slide thru the u-joint holes.

Drill a hole in the middle of it for a good size bolt that does not compromise the round bar.
Put a small steel ball between yoke shaft and the bolt end.
Would be good if you drilled a center dimple in end of bolt.
Then with a nut and two flat washers on bolt, wrench it by pushing the yoke off the shaft.
Fine thread is best, grade 8 better.

RobCons · Feb 18, 2023

Either slice it or follow Doubles advice. Heat and pulling on it hard can cause damage. If the holes for the ujoint are good just replace the ujoint and other yoke.

caterpillar guy · Feb 18, 2023

Those hole don't look bad at all. At the price of yokes these days I would either pull the yoke with a puller or a bearing separator or heat to get off. Might not need that much heat. The oil seal is cheaper than a yoke by a good bit. I would take the gear box in to a good parts place and have them get a cross for your yoke and replace it. Your not going to run a PTO PHD at much over an idle or you will flop it all over or break something when it hits something hard like a stone.

DoubleO7 · Feb 18, 2023

The shaft that yoke is on is likely unobtainium.

MarkB_MI · Feb 18, 2023

Get the yoke good and hot and you shoud be able to get it off. If you don't have a torch, splitting it with a cutoff wheel should do the trick as well.

flying belgian · Feb 18, 2023

I agree with Roger. Leave it in place and start with the cross.

Fixingfarmer · Feb 18, 2023

Am I crazy or does it look like its been welded on the back
side of the yoke?

560Dennis · Feb 19, 2023

Youre right ,I think it is !
Use cutoff wheel to cut weld close to yoke ,putting puller on it after welds are cut

perryjosh64 · Feb 19, 2023

Well I finally got it off. Ended up going caveman on it and hammering in a pitman arm puller tool on it. Once I got it in place an started turning screw came off easy thank God.
However new question showed up as the shear pin hole is 5/16". Seems everything I see on newer PTO implements/PTOs standard hole 3/8"? Is it gonna be an issue having a size smaller bolt through yoke or do I need to drill out hole in digger?

Richard G. · Feb 19, 2023

I would put the new yoke on and drill the shaft out bigger.
That way , it should stay lined up.

docmirror · Feb 19, 2023

I did the same thing with the ball joint separator. I also just got some 5/16" roll pins for the cross holes. Putting the new joint on the shaft means lining up the roll pin holes well. I did a little grinding on the leading end of the roll pin since I didn't get the alignment perfect and banged it on in.

I've been using a 12" auger on my old unit and hitting rocks, and clay, and roots and it keeps going, being pushed by an old 8N. Old stuff works, it just takes a bit more trouble to get it going.

Stuck yoke on post digger

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