Posted by Henry Jacobs on May 17, 2000 at 14:02:52:
In Reply to: What are the pro's/con's of Transfercase driven PTO posted by Rick on May 17, 2000 at 12:01:29:
Power Take-Off (PTO) units take engine power from the transmission and make it available for use by accessories like winches, hay rakes, threshers, dump beds, water pumps, etc.
PTO Winch advantages:
-great power available via engine and gearing advantage
-speed controllable via engine RPM
-very reliable - works if the engine does; no electric motor to overload
-safe - no high-amperage circuits involved
-no batteries required
-works underwater
- will run forever (as long as fuel holds out), electrics tend to overheat on longer pulls
Disadvantages
- engine must run
- truck must rely on brakes and chocks to hold position during winching operations
- engagement and operation are a bit more complex that electric/hydraulic
- requires operator to be positioned in line with winch traction (ie behind the wheel) - some consider this unsafe
HLJ