A power take-off (PTO) is any of several methods for taking power from a power source, such as a running engine, and transmitting it to an application such as an attached implement or separate machines. The PTO is a simple and powerful system, thus explaining is common use in today’s farming. However, if defective or used in the wrong way, THIS SYSTEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PRESENT SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES:
Power take-off accidents are still common, with;
- Tractor/machinery operator involved 78% of the time;
- Localised at the PTO coupling, over 70% of the time;
- A bare shaft, spring loaded push pin or through bolt was the type of component at contact point in 63% of the cases;
- Stationary equipment, such as augers, elevators, posthole diggers, and grain mixers were involved in 50% of the cases;
- Semi-stationary equipment, such as self-unloading forage (or feed) wagons, were involved in 28% of the cases;
- Nearly all incidents involving moving machinery (e.g. hay balers, manure spreaders, rotary mowers).
These accidents have been noted to have adverse economic and social impacts in Europe, mainly regarding the annual economic losses associated with reduced productivity, economic losses due to workplace fatalities and societal costs due to disability claims and accident victim compensations and healthcare. Since the demand for agricultural products continues to rise, there is need for safer power transmission technologies that contribute towards the reduction of machinery related accidents, while also ensuring high productivity and reduced maintenance requirements.
PTO-SAFE aims at delivering a safer, more efficient and more affordable Power Take-Off (PTO) yoke and drive shaft assemblies targeting a significant reduction of PTO related accidents and entanglements when operating farm machinery. This will be achieved through the introduction of an optimised PTO yoke offering increased safety, versatility and customisability to fit different drive shaft geometry options available on the market. The smart double safety feature included in the yoke will offer fewer successive vibrations between the yoke and drive shaft, while the absence of protruding bolts will greatly reduce the likelihood of exposure and entanglement by the rotating drive shafts.
