With the advent of Tier IV emissions standards for diesel engines, OEMs and end users are scrambling for alternative power sources. Partly due to this, propane engines have moved to the forefront in many applications. One propane engine manufacturer, Zenith Power Products, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, has been steadily climbing and emerging as an industry leader.
Zenith manufactures a complete line of propane and natural gas engines, offering displacements of 5.7, 6.5, 9.0, and 12.0 liters to meet the demands of a wide variety of applications. One of the industry segments where Zenith has been most successful is the agricultural irrigation market in central and northern California. In conjunction with N&S Tractor, which has several locations throughout the region, Zenith has successfully implemented irrigation engine solutions across rice fields, vineyards, row crops, and orchards—delivering dependable power for diverse farming operations.
Increasing Irrigation Engine’s Benefits
When asked about some of the factors that have made Zenith and N&S successful in this area, Mike Samoorian of Zenith said the introduction of the WPT Pilotless® mechanical power take off has really helped to make these sales easier. Beyond making fitment and installation a breeze, the Pilotless® design offers end users the ease of maintenance, elimination of wear points, and increased longevity that the Pilotless® PTO provides.
The WPT Pilotless® PTO eliminates a major wear point and takes any direct loading off the end of an engine’s crank with the absence of a pilot bearing. This decreases main bearing wear and ultimately increases the engine’s lifespan. This also simplifies installation, since you no longer need to worry about whether the pilot bearing is properly seated. You also don’t have to “unload” the bearing by striking the end of the shaft!
Inside the PTO housing, you’ll find that the engagement collar has been fitted with a sealed-for-life ball bearing, thereby eliminating grease hoses and the need for maintenance. Further down the shaft, you’ll see support from two large spherical main roller bearings. These bearings are directly fed by two grease zerks that conveniently rest atop the bearing carrier, providing easy access for service. This dual main bearing arrangement offers side load capacity 60% higher than that of WPT’s competitors, putting the Pilotless® in a class by itself.
Let’s Talk Successful Solutions
Zenith Power Products, in collaboration with WPT Power, has made significant strides in enhancing the way California farmers’ access to water for their crops. Allow WPT to help you develop a solution to your power transmission challenges. Give us a callor visit our website at www.wptpower.com