Introduction of A Power Take off Switch

What is a power take off switch?

The power take off switch is an important safety device designed to prevent unintentional blade actuation of lawn equipment. This switch is a part of a series of controls that comprise a mower’s safety interlock system, requiring riders to obey proper procedures when operating machinery. There are many switch types in mechanical engineering equipment, such as ignition switches, pressure switches, and other switches, power take off switches are also included.

How does the power take off works?

Power take off, abbreviated to PTO, is a device that transfers an engine's mechanical power to another piece of equipment. A PTO allows the hosting energy source to transmit power to additional equipment that does not have its own engine or motor and it’s commonly used in farming equipment, trucks, commercial vehicle tools like carpet-cleaning vacuums, engine water pump, mechanical arms and agriculture equipment like wood chippers, harvesters, hay balers.

PTO generates power by changing engine rotation to “hydraulic”. Hydraulic pressure is a mechanism that uses hydraulic fluid as an energy transmission medium. Hydraulic is able to move big objects with little power. It is also easy to operate because it can quickly operate once switches are on, and also it is easy to adjust the force. when PTO changes engine energy to hydraulic pressure, a part called “PTO shaft” is required. PTO shaft requires daily inspection and regular maintenance as they are subjected to be under heavy loads, and its deterioration can defect the PTO. Because the PTO is often exposed, safely handling the mechanical power source is essential. Operators should be aware of how to use PTO accessories safely and always power down and remove keys from the ignition for any maintenance.

Power take off types

In addition to power take off switch, power take off clutch, power take off shaft and so on, are also universal in mechanical engineering. Taking a farm tractor as an example, there are three basic types of power take off.

1. For an independent PTO, the PTO shaft is controlled with a separate clutch. Mechanical and hydraulic are two major types of independent PTO. A mechanical-independent PTO uses a separate on-off selector, in addition to the PTO control lever. Often the tractor must be stopped or off to change this selector position. A hydraulic-independent PTO uses a single selector.

2. A live PTO works with the use of a two-stage clutch. Pressing the clutch halfway will disengage the transmission while pressing it fully will disengage the transmission and the PTO. This allows the operator to slow down or change gears while the PTO is still operating.

3. The transmission PTO is the earliest type. The PTO shaft is directly connected to the tractor's transmission. The PTO only works when the tractor's clutch is released, so if you take the tractor out of gear while slowing down, it will stop working. This is a disadvantage in applications such as mowing.