Foley Engines offers our customers both OEM and aftermarket complete PTOs, replacement clutch packs, and components like clutch discs, pilot bearings, pilot & main bearings, down to the smaller parts to keep your Twin Disc®, Rockford™, NACD® or WPT Power® PTO or clutch pack in service. We stock them heavily and ship them daily throughout the US. We’ve found that sometimes people need a little help in deciding whether to buy a complete Power Take Off Clutch or simply a clutch pack.
This Tech Tip shows you the pros and cons of buying a Clutch Pack versus a complete PTO. Here are six things to consider as you evaluate the best way to get your PTO clutch back in service. We hope this is helpful in making an informed decision.
Complete PTO or Clutch Pack
1. Cost
Cost is always important; both the initial cost as well as the final, total cost. If you buy a clutch pack it is usually only 60% of the cost of a complete PTO, but not always, and it can get a little complicated if you need a drive ring or other parts that would come as part of the complete PTO. Certainly, if the PTO is in good shape and just the clutch discs or pilot bearing need to be replaced, then that is a fairly simple process, less expensive and should give you more service life from your current unit. The difficulty, comes with adding additional components as the cost and time associated replacing these added items and the things that should be replaced since you took the equipment offline and removed the PTO (i.e. pilot bearing & friction discs usually) can be close to the cost of a new clutch pack or complete PTO. Part the cost issue is that while manufacturers make more of the clutch packs and PTOs, they make fewer of the items that have less frequent issues and thus the relative cost can be higher for the extra components causing just a few items to add up quickly. If you are unsure of the best path for you, please give us a call and we are happy to talk you through the options so you can make the most informed decision.
2. How do they differ?
What’s the difference between a PTO and a clutch pack? A new PTO includes the housing, the clutch pack inside the housing, the main and cross shafts, the handle plus the pilot bearing, main bearings, and the drive ring that bolts to the flywheel. In other words, with a complete PTO it bolts directly to the engine and no assembly is required. It installs easily and gets you back up and running quickly.
A clutch pack on the other hand is composed of the “guts” of a PTO. It includes the clutch discs, the release bearing (often called the bronze collar or throw-out bearing), the cast iron backing plates, linkages, etc. In other words, the clutch pack is the assembly within the PTO housing and includes the major moving parts. The old clutch pack and pilot bearing first need to be removed, the new clutch pressed onto the main shaft, secured and the pilot bearing reinstalled or replaced prior to reinstallation into your equipment.
3. Shipping Costs and Weight
Clutch packs weigh less than PTOs and often can usually ship by UPS and in most cases, the same day you place your order. Complete power takeoffs usually have to be shipped by truck freight which costs more than UPS and is often slower. (Although not in New England: we’re getting good overnight delivery on complete PTOs to most points in New England)
4. Main Shafts, Drive Rings, Main and Pilot Bearings, and Grease Hoses
You know that it’s the bottom line that counts; not only the initial cost but the total cost. While a clutch pack is roughly 60% of the cost of a complete unit, it doesn’t include the main shaft, the drive ring that mounts to the flywheel, the pilot bearing that goes in the flywheel, the main bearings, nor a grease hose. Can 
you re-use your old main shaft or is it worn with some grooves in it? How about the drive ring on the flywheel? Is it still serviceable, grooves worn into the teeth or are there teeth missing? Is your grease hose nasty and torn? These are all important questions to ask yourself when deciding which option is the best choice for you.
5. Installation
Are you able to take time away from your business and also the manpower to wrestle the old clutch pack off the shaft, inspect the main shaft, install the new clutch pack onto the shaft, and then order parts as required?
6. Downtime
How long do you plan on keeping the machine? Do you have skilled mechanics that can nurse a power take off clutch along? Do you have back-up machines?
The chart below summarizes the above points and should be helpful in making a decision.
We take the mystery out of buying a PTO. The chart displayed below will help you make an informed decision: Clutch Pack or Complete Unit.
We hope that these 6 points will be helpful to you in deciding which way to go, clutch pack or complete PTO. We stock them both and have them ready for same-day shipment. We sell as many clutch packs as we do complete power takeoffs. We are only interested in getting you back up and running quickly. Not steering you into one alternative or another.
For more information on power takeoff and clutch pack maintenance check out some of our earlier Tech Tips like:
Tech Tip # 48: Maintaining Your Twin Disc, Rockford, NACD or WPT Power PTO Clutch
Tech Tip # 67: How To Remove A Troublesome Pilot Bearing
Tech Tip # 93: What Do I Need To Find The Right Parts For My PTO Clutch?
Tech Tip#147: Not Sure Why Your PTO Keeps Wearing Down? Want It To Last Longer?
Tech Tip #167: Twin Disc, Rockford and AutoClutch Power Takeoff Pulleys
