GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q. What is a Power Take-Off (PTO)?

A. Power Take-Offs (PTOs) are essential components that extend the capabilities of various vehicles, particularly in industries like tow/recovery, fire/rescue, aerial equipment, waste management, and snow removal. They allow trucks to operate auxiliary equipment, effectively turning a single-engine vehicle into a multi-purpose machine. PTOs are a mechanical device that directs power from a truck’s engine/transmission to the auxiliary equipment used to perform work at the site and/or enroute. Without a PTO, one would need to add a second engine to the truck to provide the necessary power to run the auxiliary equipment.

Q. Why is it called a Power Take-Off?

A. The term "Power Take-Off" refers to a specialized gearbox that taps into the vehicle's engine power. This gearbox then transfers the engine's power to operate auxiliary equipment. Essentially, it "takes off" power from the engine to use elsewhere, hence the name.

Q. Are All Trucks PTO-Ready?

A. Not all trucks come with PTO provisions. If you require a PTO, it's essential to specify this when ordering your vehicle. The PTO-ready option includes special wiring, programming, and apertures on the vehicle's transmission for PTO mounting.

Q. What PTO Maintenance Schedule should I follow?

A. Due to normal and sometimes severe torsional vibrations that PTO units experience, operators should always follow a set maintenance schedule for inspections to ensure proper, safe, and trouble-free operation.  More details can be found in your Owner's Manuals.

Daily: Check all air, hydraulic, and working mechanisms before operating the PTO.

Monthly: Inspect for possible leaks and tighten all air, hydraulic, and mounting hardware, if necessary. Ensure that splines are properly lubricated, if applicable.  

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Q: How do I install a PTO?

A: Chelsea provides PTO installation guides specific to each Series. Search for the PTO Series in the search bar at the top of any parker.com page and select your series. On all PTO Products Pages, there is a “Related Documents” tab with an Owner's Manual and other product literature. The PTO Series’ Owner’s Manual will have information specific: installation instructions, general safety information, pump mounting requirements, etc.

Alternatively, you can also find the Owner's Manual by searching for the PTO Series in the search bar at the top of any parker.com page and navigate to the "Support" tab. The Support tab will show relevant PDFs, including Owner's Manuals. 

Q: Where do I find the Parker Chelsea Applications Catalog?

A:  Several places! The fastest place to find it is on our division home page: parker.com/chelsea. It can also be found by typing it in the search bar at the top of any parker.com page and navigating to the "Support" tab.  

Alternatively, you can also find the Applications Catalog by searching for it in the search bar at the top of any parker.com page and navigate to the "Support" tab. The Support tab will show relevant PDFs, including Owner's Manuals. 

Q: What PTO works with my transmission?

A: The Chelsea Applications Catalog has a list of the different transmissions and their corresponding PTOs. Please locate your transmission manufacturer in the table of contents, then find your specific transmission. That transmission’s page will have a list of Chelsea PTOs that are compatible with your transmission.

Q: How do I find the torque and power for a specific PTO?

A:  The torque limits and engine % can be located on the PTO’s corresponding Application Catalog page. Please work with your Chelsea Sales Rep if you have any questions or abnormal applications.

PRICING & PURCHASING QUESTIONS

Q: How can I purchase a Chelsea PTO?

A: Please work with your local Parker Distributor or Parker sales rep to purchase a Chelsea PTO or PTO component. You can use the "Where To Buy" tab to find a distributor near you. 
 

Q: How does Chelsea price their PTOs?

A: PTO price will be communicated to you by your Parker Distributor or Parker Chelsea if you are an OEM customer.

If you are a Parker Distributor that sells PTOs, you can access the price file on MyParker.com. Please work with your Parker sales rep if you have any questions or cannot access the price file on MyParker.com.