OK Gentlemen, some new stuff has come to light. I finally found an online diagram of the gearbox and shaft in question, and there is another key holding the top gear to the shaft. I should be able to take it apart from the top, and if that key is sheared, which seems probable, I will not have to take the blade off at this time. The equipment number has been gone ever since I owned it, and it took a lot of guessing and looking to come up with the diagram. By the way it is a John Deere 727, 14 foot rotary cutter. Have another project this morning, but will start trying to take it apart from the top this afternoon, or at least soon. miles
