Brush Hog driveline adjustment

(I'm guessing the two pieces are rusted together and am wondering just how much force I can apply to seperate them!)

Thanks for any suggestions.

The line should slide freely, no pins or set screws are present so that the shaft will elongate as needed when lowering the mower. I recently bought at auction a 5-foot mower that was in fine condition except the drive shaft was frozen. After spending many hours I finally had a guy a a metal fab shop hook a 40,000 pound lift to it while the other end was fastened to a large load of steal. The shaft slid open and revealed just a thin layer of rust.

Just a small amount of rust can bind the shaft together. Other means I tried include heat, soaking in diesel, and a bit of pounding. None of these worked, but in some cases they might.

When i got back home I wire brushed the shaft and treated it with navel jelly. It now works fine.

Nick