Rear mount PTOs in North America
Power take-offs (PTO) have long been a critical part of the vocational truck industry, providing the necessary power to allow nearly every hydraulic truck application to do the work at hand. Historically, in North America, most truck applications utilize side-mounted PTOs on transmissions following the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) standard 6-bolt and 8-bolt apertures.
Today, however, we continue to see significant change in how PTOs are mounted, including unique transmission-specific mounting apertures from manufacturers—such as Allison and Ford—as well as apertures on the top, bottom, and rear sections of some transmissions.
The rear mount PTO has long been a standard on European-style trucks and is commonly used on applications in that market. Until recently, rear mount PTOs were few and far between in North America, but have now begun to build some traction as more European manufacturers enter the market and bring their preferred mounting style.
Rear mount PTOs, also known as countershaft PTOs, are attached to the rear of the transmission and are driven by the countershaft, instead of meshing with a transmission gear. While still less common in North America, rear mount PTOs do provide some advantages: easier installation on the transmission, generally more clearance for hydraulic pumps, better driveline angles for driven equipment, and simpler PTO construction.
Today, there are numerous transmissions available in the North American market with the rear mount PTO option.
Detroit Diesel DT12 Transmission
The DT12 transmission is commonly used on Freightliner or Western Star Class 8 Cascadia or 5700 trucks. This transmission requires the 362-822 Detroit PTO prep kit option. Muncie Power offers the P89 Series PTO, which is designed specifically for this transmission and features an integral hydraulic mount for structural support of hydraulic pumps up to 60 lbs. without additional transmission support. The P89 Series is capable of three different ratios, several different outputs, and the ability to mount larger displacement pumps.
Eaton Endurant Transmissions
Eaton currently offers two transmissions with rear mount PTO capabilities.
The Eaton Endurant HD is a lightweight transmission ideal for on-highway applications. This transmission is commonly used on International, Freightliner, Volvo, Peterbilt, and Kenworth trucks.
The Eaton Endurant XD is designed for on-highway applications with high gross combined weight ratings, such as double and triple trailer trucks, and severe-duty on/off highway applications like dump and logging trucks. This transmission is often used on Class 8 trucks, including Western Star, Freightliner, and Kenworth.
Both transmissions can be equipped with various Muncie Power’s 4-bolt rear mount PTO options, including our P81, P82, P84, and P86 Series, with maximum torque ratings ranging from 221–442 lbs.ft. On the Endurant XD, the P87 Series clutch shift PTO can also be used.
International T14 Transmissions
The fully automated T14 transmission is a 14-speed overdrive transmission used in International HV and HX trucks. Any International truck equipped with the T14 transmission can be ordered with several different PTO options, including a dual option. Muncie Power offers multiple rear mount PTO options that are paired with an adapter and mounting kit that is equipped with an integrated sensor that is ready to be programmed to the transmission ECU.
Compatible PTO options include the P81, P82, P84, and P86 Series, with maximum torque ratings ranging from 221–442 lbs.ft.
Mack mDRIVE Transmission
The Mack mDrive and mDrive HD transmissions are automated manual transmissions that are standard on Mack Pinnacle, Mack Granite, and Titan by Mack trucks. These chassis must be ordered with the PTO prep package. Muncie Power offers multiple PTO options for these transmissions, including the P81, P86, and P93 Series, each with a maximum torque exceeding 360 ft.lbs. that can be configured for either driveline or direct mount pump applications.
PACCAR TX-12 and TX-18 Transmissions
PACCAR currently offers two transmissions with rear mount PTO capabilities.
The PACCAR TX-12 is a lightweight transmission ideal for on-highway applications. This transmission is commonly used on International, Freightliner, Volvo, Peterbilt, and Kenworth trucks.
The PACCAR TX-18 is designed for on-highway applications with high gross combined weight ratings, such as double and triple trailer trucks, and severe-duty on/off highway applications like dump and logging trucks. This transmission is often used on Class 8 trucks, including Western Star, Freightliner, and Kenworth.
Both transmissions can be equipped with any of Muncie Power’s 4-bolt rear mount PTO options, including our P81, P82, P84, and P86 Series, with maximum torque ratings ranging from 221–442 lbs.ft. The TX-18 can also use the P87 Series clutch shift PTO.
Volvo I-SHIFT Transmission
The Volvo I-SHIFT transmissions are automated manual transmissions available for all Volvo trucks, including the VNR, VNL, VNX, VHD, and VAH model options. These chassis must be ordered with the PTO prep package as well. Muncie Power offers multiple PTO options for these transmissions, including the P81, P86, and P93 Series, each with a maximum torque exceeding 360 ft.lbs. that can be configured for either driveline or direct mount pump applications.
There are other older transmission models with the rear mount option still in the marketplace, as well as numerous other options internationally, but side mount PTOs still dominate North America. We will continue to see a slow rise in rear mount PTOs in the North American marketplace; therefore, it’s important to know which transmissions offer the option and when it makes sense to use it to your advantage.
