Quick-connect mechanism for releasably retaining a power take-off shaft within an output shaft hub

摘要

A locking mechanism for releasably fixing an externally splined power take-off shaft to an output shaft of off-highway equipment such as a tractor. The output shaft has a hollow, internally splined hub portion adapted to axially receive the externally splined power take-off shaft to prevent relative rotational movement between the power take-off and output shafts. The locking mechanism includes a locking member guided within a radial opening on the output shaft so as to be radially movable between an inner locking position and an outer unlocking position. In the inner locking position, the locking member is engageable with a recess formed on the power take-off shaft to prevent relative axial movement between the power take-off shaft and the output shaft. In the outer unlocking position, the locking member is disengaged from the recess in the output shaft to permit such relative axial movement. An actuator is positioned about an exterior of the output shaft and is movable between a first position in which the actuator operably maintains the locking member in its locking position, and a second position which permits radial movement of the locking member to its unlocking position.