Number 3 piston stuck??

[Glen]

Hi,
I'm not sure what you mean is wrong with the PTO.
It sounds like maybe the PTO lever is only moving part of the way that it should.
The PTO lever should move freely at it's base. Work it forward and rearward, until it moves freely, if that is the problem.
It should have a PTO shifter guide, it is called, that bolts on the right rear corner of the gear shift cover.
I don't know if it is there, you have removed the gear shift cover I guess.
The PTO has to be turned to the right place so the splines that run it will engage.
The PTO shaft won't turn by hand if the PTO lever is in the engaged position, with the engine off.
The PTO lever should move up and down to latch positively in the PTO guide. If it is rusted and won't move up and down, use penetrating oil and loosen it up. It has a spring that holds it up.

[ntrenn]

I bought a parts Loboy about 10 years ago…it would not turn over with any amount of coaxing. Ended up being a seized number 4 because of a head gasket/water leak. I got to the root of it by pulling the head and the oil pan and unbolting connecting rods until I found the sticky one.
A wise old soul here suggested a block of wood and a hand sledge to get it unstuck.
I basically in-framed it with new rings, a hone job and a valve touch up, and it’s been my primary mower for at least the last 8 years…2 acres a week.

[staninlowerAL]

......A wise old soul here suggested a block of wood and a hand sledge to get it unstuck.......

A stuck piston can be a challenge. I once had an AC 4 cyl tractor engine that was seized from water getting in through the exhaust. It came to me like that. No amount of persuasion and tricks would move the pistons. I finally resorted to removing the block from the frame, inverted it over some blocks with the bores opened and got them out with a wooden block and sledge method. The most difficult engine I have experienced was a CJ5, 4 cyl that had #4 piston stuck at the bottom of the stroke. I finally resorted to fabricating a puller to hook under the wrist pin, drilled the piston from the top and wrenched it out. It had been stuck for probably 30 years or more. I related this to say that it can be done but be prepared for some challenges. One other way that I have never tried is having a machine shop cut it out in much the same manner that a cylinder would be enlarged. Maybe yours will not be so difficult. JMHO Stan

[staninlowerAL]

EDIT: Here's what it process looked like:

And after removal:

Enough force to bend the 2 5/8 inch bolts about 15 degrees!

[Eugene]

I don't think he has a stuck piston.

The cub has been soaking for a week in transmission fluid.... I got the starter off thinking maybe the the starter was keeping it from turning...I got the starter off and put a pry bar on the flywheel and low and behold it got it to turn...I kept turning it....and it got easier and easier... I took the valve cover off and all the valves look free and are moving up and down.. I can now turn the engine over by hand by turning the fan...out of curiosity it put the tractor in third gear and tried to push it.... it wouldn't move... does this sound right... I've heard of people pushing a locked up motor free in third...

[staninlowerAL]

Sorry I didn't remember this post from Dec. 8th that said the engine would turn with the fan: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=116044 My mistake. I'm the first to admit that I have a bad case of CRS!!

[Eugene]

Stan: CRS here. I didn't remember the post either. Just went back and read all of the original poster's posts.