Dong Feng Bulldog 254 How to remove PTO shaft?

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 that retain the shield and most importantly, the PTO stub output shaft retainer plate. About 5 minutes into snowblowing, the rear section of the PTO slid out of the tractor, leaking trans-hydraulic fluid everywhere etc., a gear and some shims  fell off and down into rear housing of the tractor, making it impoosibe to just slide it all back together and reinstall the bolts.  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 with the shaft and bearings, so that I can ultimately reassemble all pieces correctly.  Do I need to split the tractor at the clutch housing, or is there something simple that I am just not seeing? 

I hope the schematic that I attached below helps explain what I'm dealing with.  It all started when the bolts that retain shield #49 were removed, therefore leading to the “sliding out” of #35, #36, and #47 as a complete unit.  When 35. 36, & 47 slid out, gear #28 fell down in the housing.  I tried to remove #31,”rear axle cover”, and found it to be bolted from the inside to #6 “PTO gear housing”, thus I could slide the assembly rearwards about half an inch, and that's it, no further.  I do have the PTO engagement lever disconnected , and anything else that seemed to be “in the way”.  I removed #11 “middle shaft”, and discovered many loose needle/roller bearings (that will be fun to reassemble when the time comes).  I am tending to believe that the entire assembly entire assembly #6 bolted to #31(as one solid housing), with all other gears , bearings and the front part of the PTO drive shaft are supposed to be removed/assembled/installed as a unit.  Can anyone see what I am missing?  Is it as simple as a circlip or snapring?  I can't see how shaft #41 attaches to what drives it in the main transmission.  I'm baffled please someone help? Thanks.