Dong Feng 245 PTO housing removal

Hello all,

I have a 2005 Dong Feng Bulldog 254 that my father removed the 4 bolts that retain the sheet-steel PTO shaft guard onto the rear cast-iron housing at the rear of the tractor.  He states that he was having difficulty getting the finish mower drive shaft disconnected, and was trying to get a better view of how to release the quick-connect yoke (this was at the end of mowing season)….anyway after doing so, he hooked up the rear mount snowblower, and I used it, unaware that the bolts were missing from that shield, those same bolts also retain the final PTO shaft support bearing, and a gear inside the outermost removable cast housing. About 5 minutes into snowblowing, the rear section of the PTO slid out of the tractor, leaking trans-hydraulic fluid everywhere etc.  I am trying to disassemble and ultimately reassemble  the PTO.  I have removed the bolts that secure the large PTO assembly housing, and anything else that I can see might be preventing me from removing the entire assembly. I was also foolish enough to remove the countershaft that is directly above the PTO output shaft (thus resulting in a pile of loose needle-roller bearings. I have the seat, transmission cover and upper 3point hitch assembly arm housing removed, in an effort to gain sight and access to the inner shaft. I am able to slide the main rear  PTO housing backwards about half an inch, and then it stops solidly.  I cannot see what is preventing me from removing that housing, so that I can reassemble all pieces correctly.  Do I need to split the tractor at the clutch housing, or is there something simple that I am simply missing?  Thanks in advance for any advice.