A: PTO stands for power take-off, which is an auxiliary clutch on the bottom of an industrial truck. These are used in construction applications. You see these big trucks with the water tanks on them going up and down and spraying water out the back. They’re using that for dust control.
Every now and then you’ll see one and it’s spraying way over on a freshly finished highway where they just laid grass or hydroseed. They’ll use that to irrigate and that’s basically what it’s for is construction and new construction of highways. Also dust control and irrigation for new sod along fresh highways.
While water covers over 70% of the earth not all of it is readily accessible to all locations. Water trucks often bring water where it’s needed the most. They carry thousands of gallons of water and disperse them using a PTO water truck pump.
What Is A PTO Water Truck?
Before we get into what a PTO water truck pump is and PTO for that matter, let’s talk about PTO water trucks. A water truck is essentially a water reservoir on wheels that can disperse water at a regulated volume. It is mainly used for irrigation or other watering applications where a fixed water source is not readily accessible.
Water trucks are commercial duty vehicles and are comprised of three main components:
The Rig
The rig includes the cab area for a driver and often a single passenger seat for a helper. Also within this cab is a full control panel for controlling how water is dispersed.
The Tank
On the back of the truck is a large, usually cylindrical tank, that holds varying capacities of water—usually 500-5,000 gallons.
The Pump
The pump is what makes dispersing water possible. There are also spray nozzles that are mounted on the rear, front, or either side of the tank.
What Are PTO Water Trucks Used For?
You’ll find water trucks being deployed in many applications and industries. They can be found deployed on a Hollywood movie set for water effects. They might also be used at archaeological sites to help in excavation. However, the most common applications include:
CONSTRUCTION AND MINING
When you’re dealing with new construction or mining you can be guaranteed that there will be a lot of displaced dirt. That dirt when the wind picks up can create a ton of dust when it’s very dry. On a large construction or mining site, dust can become a hazard. It can limit visibility to dangerous levels, cause respiratory issues and get out of control in general. Water trucks are an excellent solution to tamp down the dust with a light dousing of water.
PTO water trucks are also used for compaction on construction sites. When dirt is dug up and displaced it is often very uneven. That can be dangerous for heavy equipment, plus it makes it hard to create flat road surfaces. The trucks can add just the right amount of water distributed evenly so that a plate compacter can smooth the ground. If there’s too much water it will turn to sludge, if not enough water the soil particles will not stick to each other. With the controls on water trucks, the water flow can be precisely controlled.
FARMING
Deploying a water truck for irrigation is not a permanent solution. However, when a drought hits or reservoirs dry up a water truck is an asset.
Using PTO water trucks for irrigation became very popular between 2011 and 2017 due to a series of droughts along the west coast and in the Midwest. California, one of the hardest states hit, was struggling to keep crops in the central valley from drying up.
Irrigation isn’t just for the crops though; livestock suffer too when watering holes dry up. A water truck with its large capacity can remedy both. Before these long drought seasons, water trucks were mainly used in construction and mining.
FIREFIGHTING
PTO water trucks are used both in a precautionary role and a reactive role in firefighting applications. Especially in the country and rural areas that lack organized water sources such as hydrants. They’re not only used for putting out fires but also as a precaution against wildfires. Water trucks during the summer will frequently dampen areas prone to burn.
RESIDENTIAL USE
Bulk water delivery providers rely heavily on water trucks to deliver bulk water to their residential customers. Often used to fill swimming pools, and landscape water features, for example. This application is especially popular for residential properties under drought control or surviving on untreated water from a well. Rather than wait for days for a hose to fill a pool wasting well water, trucks bring in the water and get it done quickly. This also prevents damage or excess stress on the well pump.
EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY
As evident in the recent winter freeze here in Houston—natural disasters, extreme climate events, or hurricanes can cause a water shortage. In the aftermath of the recent storm, water trucks parked outside many communities for people to fill up water bottles. This helped families by providing water to drink, bathe with, and wash dishes until pipes were repaired.
What Kind Of Pumps Are Used To Disperse Water?
Water trucks use a special type of pump that runs off the powerful engine these trucks have. The process is referred to as “power take-off or PTO for short. A power take-off (PTO) pump is used to convert the rotary power from the engine to hydraulic power to run the water pump. A PTO doesn’t just run pumps, on tractors they can also run cotton balers, power mowers, and more. In the city, you see PTO’s in use on street sweepers and fire truck pumps.
How Do PTO Water Pumps Work?
PTO pumps, also called trunk pumps connect directly to the truck’s driveshaft. It uses that rotary power and converts it with the PTO, into hydraulic power. The hydraulic power is used to power the PTO water pump which is typically connected on-frame and to the tank.
Benefits of PTO Water Pumps
PTO pumps deliver water at a high-output, and their most unique benefit is the ability to capture the massive engine output of these trucks. This output is the source behind the pumps ability to move large amounts of water very quickly. There are other great benefits PTO pumps bring to the table:
PTO Pumps are Maintenance-Free
If you’ve ever tried repairing a broken water pump you know it’s almost easier to just buy a new one. That’s why you have to take such great care in maintaining most water pumps—except PTO pumps. These pumps, since they use the power of the truck engine to drive them—are practically maintenance-free.
There’s no worries about gasoline breaking down the pump. No spark plugs to worry about changing, and PTO pumps are built from powder-coated steel to take a beating.
PTO Pumps Are Simple To Use
Because they are quite large and have extreme performance capabilities, some assume these pumps are hard to set up. However, you’d be surprised just how simple it is.
Simply follow the instructions to mount the pump, connect it to the driveshaft and be about your business. They don’t even require many tools for setup and teardown.
PTO Water Pumps are Powerful
These pumps simply do not cut corners on power. In fact, the most powerful PTO pump in existence moves 30,000 gallons of water an hour (GPH). GPH capability is typically the most important factor when choosing the right PTO pump for your application. However, keep in mind most PTO pumps measure capacity in gallons per minute (GPM).
Looking For The Best PTO Water Truck Pumps?
Whether you have a single water truck or a fleet of 20 trucks for your contracting company, we’ve got you covered. Gulf Coast only carries the best pumps from legendary manufacturers such as Goulds. Contact us today and let us show you our selection and help you get the pump you need.