Chris, thanks again for this information - I got everything out.

I did find that after I got the coupling completely loose, I still could not pull the engine until I removed the belt pulley mechanism.  The clutch shaft would not come all the way out, and I could not slide the engine ahead because the clutch housing bottom hit on the rear motor mounts.  It would have slid ahead if I could lift 2-3 inches, but those shafts and coupling hit on the bottom of the pulley assembly when I tried to lift.

As I say, it's out now but for when I put it together, was I doing something that made the job more difficult than necessary?

I found that the splines on the coupling and transmission input shaft (and the short bolt) were very badly worn - lucky it did not just stop running at some point.  

My dealer lists that coupling at $300.  Wow.  Any ideas for a cheaper source?  The transmission shaft is &quot;only&quot; $180 and I'm not surprised by that one.

One more question for now.  This tractor had a mechanical lift but I have a series 3 hydraulic unit I will install.  Somebody told me I will have to cut a shaft to do that.  But it looks to me like the PTO shaft will go right through the drive gear in the hydraulic, so I don't know what would have to be cut -- do you know of something?

I sure appreciate your help.

Tom Murray