The keys to great PTOs are durability, reliability and availability.
By Mikel Janitz
Images courtesy of Bezares USA.
What three words best describe a great refuse mobile power industry product? Specifically, what defines a great power take-off (PTO)? The three words that come to mind to best define a great PTO are durability, reliably and availability.
We, the vocational refuse mobile power guys and OEMs, understand the need to provide durable and reliable parts and service in a timely manner. The vocational trade lives and dies by the very fact that if the truck isn鈥檛 working, they aren鈥檛 working and, in turn, they aren鈥檛 making any money. Then, no one is happy. They suffer and, more importantly, their customers suffer. We feel your pain and the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of PTOs, designers and engineers understand this too. They too, understand the need to design and build a great PTO.听 They work very hard at designing what the work truck guy needs and engineering the products to be reliable and durable. They should also make sure they keep available what you need in the pipeline, on the shelves and in your trucks so if and when you need a new part or a replacement PTO, it is available.
So when you are looking for your next investment in PTOs and other mobile hydraulic power parts like pumps, tanks and motors make sure you understand what you are getting from the OEMs. There are many OEMs out there to pick from, but ensure that you pick the manufacturer鈥檚 products that are durable, reliable and available. Here is some food for thought.
Durability
A durable PTO is a combination of a lot of things. It is a combination of materials, manufacturing, engineering, application, installation, maintenance and so much more 鈥� the list could be endless. To keep it simple let鈥檚 look at durability like this: it is defined as 鈥渁ble to withstand wear and tear鈥�. So to be a durable refuse mobile power industry PTO, it is important to match the design functionality, manufacturing and engineering to the duty cycle of the work truck. The right part in the wrong application is not good. A dump truck is not a garbage truck.听 You need the right PTO in the right application. Durability is vital to meet or exceed the day-to-day needs of the PTO and the mobile power system. The PTOs should be designed and tested to meet the vocational work truck needs. This could include engineering robust gears with cutting edge software and designing the product with sophisticated 3D modeling software. Ensure the product is made right and that the PTO is made with state-of-the art CNC equipment. That not only makes for a durable PTO it makes for a reliable vocational tool.
Reliability
To be reliable is as important as durability and plays a critical role with a refuse industry PTO application. A lot of ideas come to mind when it comes to being reliable. To be reliable is a mixture of things like manufacturing processes, machining steps, consistent repeatable assembly and so on. Again let鈥檚 keep it simple. If reliable is defined as 鈥渢o be consistently good in quality or performance鈥� then we are that. Reliability should start early in the process, well before a product is marketed, assembled and the engineering is completed. Most importantly, the customers should be consulted in depth and at length to discuss the application and quality requirements. Past performance also needs taken into account before any metal is cut. Consistent and reliable manufacturing is important. The manufacturer should have the latest inspection equipment and CMM to check and verify that parts meet engineering specifications and international industry standards.听 Once it passes those steps it should be validated in a test lab and/or in the field to ensure the product is verified and fit for use. A reputable OEM manufacturer carries out these steps time and time again so you don鈥檛 have to worry.
Availability
Lastly, the manufacturer can produce a PTO, gears or parts both durable and reliable; however, if they are not available, the first two don鈥檛 matter much. Availability can mean a lot of different things to different people. Here in the mobile power world availability means 鈥渞eady for use or easy to get鈥�.听 If your mobile power parts are not readily available you might as well be out of business. A great, reputable PTO manufacturer servicing the refuse mobile power industry not only provides value with durable and reliable PTOs, but they also have them on the shelf, in stock or in nearby locations so you are only moments or a few hours away from being up and running and making money.
Balance the Needs of the Industry
The refuse mobile power hydraulic systems and with their related products like PTOs and pumps, tanks and motors are the workhorse of our vocational industry. To keep the industry working, moving and to keep building our world the mobile power designers, engineers and manufactures need to keep in mind the need for the three keys features you require: durability, reliability and availability. These are the three legs are needed to equally balance the needs of the industry and customers, and are the underpinning of our refuse mobile power needs. A reputable manufacturer will understand that a durable product that lasts a long long time, continually works and produces good results is a must. They will also know that it needs to be available so you can get back to work, making money鈥攂uilding our world. | WA
Mikel Janitz is the OEM Applications Engineer for Bezares USA, a global leader in PTO design and engineering based in Houston, TX. Mikel lives in Tulsa, OK but covers most of the U.S.鈥� mobile power industry vocations. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Engineering and MS in Engineering Management and holds several patents. He can be reached at (918) 953-9062 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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