What is ePTO: Explaining Electric Power Takeoff

As the focus on electrified solutions increases, the term ePTO is used regularly. Below, see what ePTO means and the benefits it provides to equipment operators.

What Does ePTO Stand for?

ePTO stands for electric power takeoff. This technology powers equipment and auxiliary functions using electrical energy, compared to a traditional PTO that relies on mechanical energy from a combustion engine.

At Altec, the ePTO takes energy from the JEMS battery system or electric vehicle traction battery to power the aerial lift, hydraulic winches, outriggers and more. JEMS stands for Jobsite Energy Management System—Altec’s anti-idle solution that offers the benefits of both a traditional chassis and electric applications at the jobsite.

What Makes Up an ePTO?

While ePTO is a common term across the industry, what the term is actually referring to and the components that comprise the ePTO can vary. When used at Altec, the term ePTO refers to the DC or AC motor, the motor controller and the hydraulic pump.

What are the Benefits of ePTO?

The use of JEMS and EVs with the ePTO offers many benefits to customers from safety to cost savings. Using JEMS and its integrated ePTO eliminates idling at the jobsite, which eliminates the noise of a diesel engine and the emissions it produces. This allows for easier communication on the jobsite, increasing safety. It also offers cost savings as one hour of idling can equate to 33 miles of engine wear and tear and 22.4 pounds of CO2 emissions.

The electric motor is also much more efficient than a combustion engine that powers mechanical PTOs. As the ePTO continues to increase in efficiency, it will consume even less energy and allow for smaller batteries or similar sized batteries with even more runtime on each charge.

What is the Application of ePTO?

Altec’s ePTOs work with the JEMS or EV battery system to provide power to auxiliary applications. Altec offers various JEMS systems, paired with the correct sized battery to accomplish the work application. JEMS S provides anti-idle and cab comfort, JEMS SE provides cab comfort and is designed for use with small aerials, and JEMS LE is designed for use with large aerials.

Altec’s ePTOs work on demand, meaning they are not constantly running and activate only when the operator requires hydraulic power. The on-demand feature means the ePTO doesn’t require constant power, allowing Altec to reduce the footprint of the batteries and enclosures to increase overall available payload and cost savings.

How Have Altec’s Electrification Solutions Evolved?

Since Altec entered the electrification space years ago, its JEMS products have continued to evolve based on customer feedback and advancement in technology.

While previous iterations of JEMS were more complex to use, the current JEMS models allow operators to activate the ePTO just as they would a standard mechanical PTO. The systems also integrates with existing heating and cooling cab controls for easier operator use. With the on-demand use of ePTOs, batteries can be correctly sized for the right application to maximize space and weight savings.

Learn More About ePTO and Altec’s Electrification Solutions

Interested in how an ePTO and Altec’s solutions can help your fleet achieve environmental and cost savings goals? Visit our electrification solutions page to learn more or contact us today by clicking here or calling 1-877-GO-ALTEC.