QUESTION:
I recently replaced the PTO on my truck and my truck is running faster than before. I used the same brand and model of PTO for the replacement. What could be the problem?
Jeremy Rivington
Little Rock, Ark.
ANSWER:
Having the same PTO brand and model number does not necessarily mean you have the same percentage of speed running off of it. Whenever you replace the PTO on your truck, check the rpm of the PTO before you put it into operation. Never assume that because it looks like an identical swap that your performance will be the same.
The different speeds and percentages of a PTO make all the difference. Putting on the wrong percentage PTO can cause your pump to heat up, burn up, crack and be left totally useless. These percentages range from 86 percent of the power from the transmission up to 150 percent.
Obviously, the goal is to get your pump to turn at the manufacturer’s recommended speed. You simply need to use a tachometer on the shaft to measure the rpms. Then using simple math, get the appropriate PTO to turn the pump. Most pumps run around 1,000 to 1,200 rpm. Double-check your pump manufacturer’s operating manual. Running your pump at the optimum rpm will increase its life.
QUESTION:
I have a new vacuum pump system that runs off the hydraulics. This is my first year using this type of system. It ran fine last summer but as soon as things started turning cold, it began running real slow. Seems like the pump is struggling. What could it be?
Ray Sanchez
Albuquerque, N.M.
ANSWER:
Your hydraulic oil is getting thicker during the colder weather. This “thickening” causes everything to move slower. There are two things you can do: Put a tank heater in your hydraulic tank, which will keep the oil warm and fluid, or change the hydraulic oil to a lighter weight. This will help your performance. The cold weather will have a lesser effect on the lighter weight hydraulic oil.
QUESTION:
My Woods coupler is rubbing on my pump mount housing. But my pump mount is not bent. This eats up my Woods coupler and I am replacing it more than I want to. What can I do?
Dave Wannake
Fresno, Calif.
ANSWER:
Check the alignment of the pump. Most likely, the pump has shifted and the alignment of the coupler and the hub to the pump is no longer true. So realign the pump with your gearbox and the problem should be resolved. This problem can be caused by driving on bad, bumpy roads, or the bolts holding the pump to the base have loosened. It’s a simple fix for a relatively simple problem.
QUESTION:
I used to run a vacuum pump and now I’m putting a blower pump on my truck. I’m going to use the same primary and secondary. Are there any precautions I need to take or is there anything else I need to know before I go to work?
Desmond Davies
Athens, Texas
ANSWER:
Yes, it is OK to use the primary and secondary from your previous system as long as they are rated to handle the cfm of your blower. Double-check to make sure your primary and secondary are clean and in good working condition.
A blower is more temperamental than a vacuum pump. A blower has metal lobes rather than vanes. Vanes will break in a vacuum and stop working, while lobes will break when debris enters the blower. This causes the blower to break and a new blower will be required rather than just a set of vanes that would be used on a vacuum pump. It’s a good idea to put a pre-filter on the system to catch the small particles before they have a chance to get into the system.
