Quick – what does PTO stand for?
If you are like the majority of working individuals, you must have answered “Paid Time Off”. But fleet professionals who work with vehicles, mobile assets, and drivers on a daily basis know it also stands for Power Take-Off. Of course, both responses are correct. However, the focus of this blog post is on power take off or Power Take Off Tracking.
Power Take Off Tracking gives a deeper insight into your fleet. It provides useful information about the PTO and the auxiliary equipment it powers, adding another layer to equipment management. Power Take Off Tracking works by obtaining data from the engine control module of a vehicle (ECM). PTO monitoring is available from several of our GPS and telematics partners and can be linked into fleet management software to centralise all of your data and reporting.
Manage your fleet efficiently with LocoNav’s Fleet Management Solutions!
What is a Power Take Off Unit?
A Power Take Off Unit enables you to employ all or a portion of the truck’s engine power to do a variety of functions, typically via a switch. PTOs, at their most basic, provide extra power for vehicle accessories.
Combining this capacity with a fleet management system gives you insights that allow you to make better use of your vehicles. This is why Power Take Off Tracking is a big benefit for government and business fleets looking to minimise costs while also lowering their carbon footprint.
Advantages Of Power Take Off Tracking System
The fleet driver or operator has a lot of say in how and when PTO is used. However, current technological improvements allow you to track PTO usage and other data.
- This type of enhanced tracking has numerous advantages, especially when advanced analytics are applied to the obtained data.
- It can also offer you proof of delivery, improve safety and efficiency, and improve operator training. and a lot more
- Power Take Off Tracking can also be used to monitor seatbelt usage, how long the doors on a refrigeration unit remain open, and how much stress is applied to hydraulic systems.
- Many businesses that use PTO monitoring do so as part of a safety programme.
- Power Take Off Tracking can be utilised for a variety of purposes, including task completion rates, a wide range of safety features, and even fleet efficiency, depending on the analytics applied to previously acquired data.
What is the Need to Monitor PTO events?
A power take-off unit can collect data from the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) and offer information on the unit’s status. In general, you don’t want the vehicle to move while the PTO is engaged, so keep an eye on its condition during operation.
If a driver moved the car while the PTO was engaged, it might cause extreme stress and eventually damage the motor, necessitating costly repair or replacement.
During working hours, drivers are approached and encouraged to conduct quick side jobs, which are usually at the expense of the firm. When corporate vehicles are used for private side jobs during non-working hours, this is referred to as moonlighting. Private use of company equipment is a kind of misappropriation and revenue loss for your firm. Power Take Off Tracking can help with that.
Application of PTO in:
GPS Tracking
- PTO monitoring and other GPS data can disclose when a driver is speeding, idling, or carrying a vehicle outside its designated area. It can also aid in effective route selection and ensure that the operator is not utilising a corporate vehicle for personal purposes.
Fleet Management Solutions
- PTOs can help in making a distinction between working idle time from genuine idle time can be difficult and inaccurate without getting data directly from the ECM, yet the distinction can be critical for fleets.
- Monitoring PTO usage provides further information about your fleet. It provides useful information about the PTO and the auxiliary equipment it powers, adding another layer to equipment management.
- To centralise all of your data and reporting, Power Take Off Tracking can be linked to fleet management software.
Fuel Monitoring
- Idling in a fleet can be detected by a PTO. Any idle car wears down faster, consumes more fuel, and emits pollution – all while doing nothing. Fleet managers can reduce fuel waste by monitoring idle.
- By monitoring PTO events, you can track the vehicle’s health and its upkeep, which can help in monitoring fuel.
FAQ
How Does Power Take Off Work?
A power take-off (PTO) is a mechanism that transmits mechanical power from an engine to another piece of equipment. A PTO enables the hosting energy source to provide power to extra equipment that lacks its own engine or motor.
What Happens In Power Take Off Failure?
Because the PTO is attached to the transmission, PTO failure due to ignored maintenance can result in downtime and income loss.
What are the Limitations Of Power Take Off Tracking?
- Slipping and overheating are major causes of these problems, which can be resolved by dismantling, inspecting, and replacing them as needed.
- The most common cause is an incorrect adjustment, which can be corrected by increasing engagement torque.
- For the first 10-20 hours after installation, a newly installed PTO will operate hot.
- Overheating can be caused by various factors, including too much or too little grease, severe sideload, or a fresh installation.
How Accurate Is PTO Data?
A power take off unit is extremely accurate to better than 0.15% (usually 0.05%) of the full-scale output, making it excellent for high precision development and testing.
