Editing Power take-off (section)

==Use on commercial vehicles==
[[File:PTO gearbox.JPG|thumb|A hydraulic PTO mounted on a truck gearbox]]
[[File:Unimog-1980-05.jpg|thumb|Rear crossbar with PTO hydraulic connectors and coupling on a [[Unimog]] 421]]
[[Truck transmissions]] have one or more locations which allow for a PTO to be mounted. The PTO must be purchased separately and care is required to match the physical interface of the transmission with a compatible PTO. PTO suppliers will usually require details of the make, model and even serial number of the transmission. Care is also needed to ensure that the physical space around the transmission allows for installation of the PTO. The PTO is engaged and disengaged using the main transmission clutch and a remote control mechanism which operates on the PTO itself. Typically, an air valve is used to engage the PTO, but a mechanical linkage, electric or hydraulic mechanism are also options.

Most [[Unimog]]s come with front and/or rear PTOs and hydraulics as well as three point hitch systems.

Units will be rated according to the continuous and intermittent torque that can be applied through them and different models will offer different "PTO shaft rotation to engine RPM" ratios.

In the majority of cases, the PTO will connect directly to a [[hydraulic pump]]. This allows for transmission of mechanical force through the [[hydraulic fluid]] system to any location around the vehicle where a hydraulic motor will convert it back into rotary or linear mechanical force. Typical applications include:
* Running a water pump on a fire engine or water truck
* Running a truck mounted hot water extraction machine for carpet cleaning (driving vacuum blower and high-pressure solution pumps)
* Powering a blower system used to move dry materials such as cement
*Powering a vehicle-integrated air compressor system<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vmacair.com/product/dtm/|title=PTO Air Compressors {{!}} Direct-Transmission™ Mounted Air Compressor|website=VMAC|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-11}}</ref>
* Raising a dump truck bed
* Operating the mechanical arm on a bucket truck used by electrical maintenance personnel or cable TV maintenance crews
* Operating a winch on a tow truck
* Operating the compactor on a garbage truck
* Operating a Boom/Grapple truck
* Operating a truck mounted [[tree spade]] and lift-mast assembly

===Split shaft ===
A split shaft PTO is mounted to the truck's drive shaft to provide power to the PTO. Such a unit is an additional gearbox that separates the vehicle's drive shaft into two parts:
* The gearbox-facing shaft which will transmit the power of the engine to the split shaft PTO;
* The axle-facing shaft which transmit the propelling power to the axle.
The unit itself is designed to independently divert the engine's power to either the axle-facing shaft or the additional PTO output shaft. This is done by two independent clutches like tooth or dog clutches, which can be operated at total [[driveline]] standstill only. Because the main gearbox changes the rotation speed by selection of a gear, the PTO cannot be operated while the vehicle is moving.

On 4x4 vehicles, only the rear drive shaft is used by the split shaft PTO gearbox, requiring the vehicle's 4x4 drive scheme to be of the ''selectable 4WD'' type to keep the front axle drive shaft completely decoupled during PTO operation.

It is also possible to connect something other than a hydraulic pump directly to the PTO: for example, fire truck pumps.

==="Sandwich" split shaft===
A "sandwich" type split shaft unit is mounted between engine and transmission and used on road maintenance vehicles, fire fighting vehicles and off-road vehicles. This unit gets the drive directly from the engine shaft and can be capable of delivering up to the complete engine power to the PTO. Usually these units come with their own lubricating system. Due to the sandwich mounting style, the gearbox will be moved away from the engine, requiring the driveline to accommodate the installation.