Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,089 Posts1,056,139 Members48,435 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 | I'm not able to pull the knob but about 1/4". It seems froze up after long time of not using it. I checked under truck and it appears to be connected to a rod coming from back of the transmission. Does the pto run thru transmission ? And if so, if low on fluid could that be the problem ?
Thanks, Troy | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Since you live in the 'rust belt' it is likely it is rusted. Try soaking the entire Bowden cable in your favorite rust solvent, and wiggling it. It might be necessary to remove the whole cable assy and work it over.
The PTO most likely runs off a gear that reaches into the trans. To engage some part of the cluster or other gear. If the PTO housing is removed, trans. Oil must be drained first, or you will get an oil bath.
I think if you Google PTO's, it will be explained. PTO's are specific to each trans.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 | Thanks Ed for the response. I figured it out, all I had to do was pull it more aggressively. With the clutch being depressed I loosened it and got the whole thing back on track. Dump bed is now working again ! On another note what kind of hydraulic fluid do you recommend for the bed. The fluid tank is located under the bed between the frame rails.
Thanks Ed !
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,798 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,798 | A lot of the dump trucks I've worked on used 30 weight non-detergent motor oil as fluid to operate the bed cylinder. If you're going to do any work on the truck with the bed raised, (even adding fluid to the reservoir) use a 4X4 post or something similar between the bed and the ground (NOT THE FRAME) to be sure the bed doesn't drop unexpectedly. Those things can be deadly, especially if a hose blows out, etc.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 | Thanks Jerry... Good to hear from you ! cmon back over sometime  Troy | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | Ditto what Jerry said! This cannot be stressed enough. BE SAFE!!!
I knew a fellow who died when a truck bed fell on him. If you can crawl under it and fill it from below, do that. Better to be safe than sorry.
And as mentioned, lube that cable good. Does your set up have two cables or just one? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 166 | Thanks, Rich for the advice My truck just has the one cable. | | |
|
|
