Established in 1955, the United States Military’s Ammunition Peculiar Equipment (APE) Program was created to ensure the safe and efficient disposal of spent military munitions. The program’s primary objective is to demilitarize ammunition components in a controlled manner, enabling their recycling and reintroduction into the production supply chain. In alignment with this goal, the U.S. Department of Defense has implemented a directive prohibiting the acceptance of spent cartridge cases unless they have been properly deformed by APE-designated equipment. To support this requirement, APE provides specialized metal recycling machinery designed to process and deform used ammunition efficiently for safe material recovery.
A key asset in the APE lineup is the Mobile Diesel Ordnance Deformer. They are a robust, high-throughput system engineered to handle large volumes of expended cartridges, including calibers up to .50 BMG. The unit is equipped with industrial-grade hardened steel blocks mounted to a high-speed rotating drum grinder, enabling consistent and effective deformation of casings to meet demilitarization standards.
Internal impact hammers engage the metal casings as they pass through the deformer chamber, delivering high-force strikes that ensure complete deformation of each cartridge. The ordnance deformer, driven by an 80-horsepower diesel engine, requires a robust and efficient power transmission system to transfer torque to the deformation mechanism reliably.
Transmitting results
The WPT Power Take-Off (PTO) clutch provides an optimal power transmission solution for this configuration. Integrated with the diesel engine, the WPT PTO delivers consistent torque to drive the deformer chamber at maximum operational capacity. With throughput exceeding 1,200 tons of spent ammunition annually, the system demands uncompromising reliability and precision. Proven in military applications, the WPT PTO offers a dependable, high-performance solution for OEMs aiming to optimize their equipment for peak efficiency and continuous duty cycles.
Application that requires high sideload or high inertia startups? WPT has an option available to meet your specific needs. Available in Pilotless®, Hydraulic, or Pneumatic, the WPT line of PTO’s allows manufacturers more freedom to design their applications to meet customer specifications. Whether you are in the design process or looking to modify your current setup, the WPT Team is here to help! For more information, please call: (940)761-1971 or e-mail WPT Power today at: info@wptpower.com.