I just went through this on a 420. You will remove the axle pivot and shaft as one.
Im sure there are many methods to remove the center pivot and everyone has their favorite. This is mine and what works for me.
Block up the front of the tractor so the front tires are off the ground. I use the verticle attachment mounting fins hanging down from the frame. Remove one tire, grab onto the stub shaft and lift up till the opposite tire hits the ground and takes the pressure off the center pivot. Remove center pivot with other hand.
While its apart take the opportunity to clean up old grease and any rust. If you're ambitious drill, tap and install a zerk at the bottom of the axle to keep the center pivot greased.
Andrew.
I need a picture of your biceps! No such luck for me. I used a hammer on the PTO shaft to get the pivot to move toward the front of the tractor for about an inch. I took two threaded rods and nuts and used them to force the pivot out using the holes on the front pivot bearing mount. There was NO WAY I could pull it our manually. When I got it out it still had grease from 1988 in it and no rust. Just tight and no wear on it, I guess, but it definitely was not loose even though I had all of the pressure off of the axle and could wiggle the pivot and axle easily. Just plain stuck!
Thanks for the assist and info. The other post mentioned that they could only get the pivot to come out about 1/2 inch and they gave up and used a torch. I came up with the threaded rod and nut idea since I did not have a torch available. Maybe this will help others. I doubt I will have to do this again since the tractor is 34 years old and I am 75.
By the way, I forgot to remove the front PTO pulley first and had to hammer the pivot back in. I used liquid wrench and wd-40 and tried to hammer it back and forth a couple of times, but it never loosened up.
