Comparing Muncie, Chelsea, and Bezares PTOs for Heavy-Duty Trucks

Power Take-Offs (PTOs) are critical components in heavy-duty highway and off-highway trucks, enabling engines to drive auxiliary equipment like dump bodies, cranes, blowers, and winches. Three prominent PTO manufacturers – Muncie Power Products, Parker Chelsea, and Bezares – each have long histories and extensive product lines serving the work truck industry. This article provides a technical comparison of their PTO offerings, including company backgrounds, typical industry usage, key product line differences, and an in-depth look at popular PTO models from each. We will highlight what differentiates Muncie, Chelsea, and Bezares PTOs and compare the specs of their top-selling models in heavy truck applications.

[Learn more about PTOs: What is a PTO and Why it Matters in Off-Highway Applications]

Company Backgrounds in Brief

Muncie Power Products (USA) – Founded in 1935 in Muncie, Indiana by Lou Conne, Muncie started as an automotive parts distributor and later evolved into a PTO manufacturer. Today Muncie is a leading PTO and hydraulic component supplier for vocational trucks, operating multiple U.S. facilities and a global distribution network as part of the Interpump Group. Muncie is known for innovations like integrated drag brakes and a broad PTO catalog, offering PTOs for virtually every transmission (6-bolt, 8-bolt, 10-bolt, counter-shaft, split-shaft, etc.) with a reputation for durability and innovation. Muncie’s recent innovations incorporate features like Wet Spline lubrication and Muncie Start clutch engagement technology.

General Truck Parts is a proud Muncie® Power Products Master Warehouse distributor. We feature an extensive inventory of Muncie® PTOs and pumps and offer the Muncie M-Power Spec App for PTO configuration. We stock new or remanufactured pumps ready for immediate exchange.
Parker Chelsea (USA) – The Chelsea PTO brand originated as Chelsea Products, founded by Bob Wagner in the mid-20th century. Chelsea’s engineering prowess in PTO design was well respected – Muncie’s early PTO business was actually built by selling Chelsea units wholesale. Chelsea was eventually acquired by Parker Hannifin, becoming the Chelsea Products Division of Parker, and today leverages Parker’s global manufacturing might. Parker Chelsea PTOs have a strong presence worldwide in vocational, fire/rescue, oilfield and heavy-haul markets.
Bezares S.A. (Spain) – Established in 1954 in Madrid by José Bezares, Bezares grew from a small truck repair workshop into a global hydraulic and PTO manufacturer. Over seven decades, Bezares expanded internationally and now serves over 100 countries with multiple manufacturing plants. Bezares is known for rugged PTO designs built with premium materials to handle harsh conditions. They produce PTO models compatible with all major transmission brands (Allison, Eaton, ZF, Volvo, etc.) and have pioneered lighter-weight heavy-duty PTOs. Notably, Bezares partnered with Eaton; since 2019 Eaton acts as Bezares’ North American distributor, enabling easier access to Bezares PTOs in the U.S. market. This global reach and cross-compatibility are a hallmark of Bezares’ approach.

PTO Usage in Heavy On/Off-Highway Trucks

In heavy trucks, PTOs are used to transfer engine power to auxiliary equipment. On highway trucks (dump trucks, utility vehicles, tankers, etc.), PTOs typically mount to the transmission (side or bottom openings) to drive hydraulic pumps for dump beds, winches, blowers (pneumatic offloading), or fire pumps. Off-highway and severe-service trucks (oilfield rigs, heavy wreckers, etc.) often require extra heavy-duty PTOs or multiple PTO outputs to run high-demand equipment. All three manufacturers provide PTO solutions for both on-road vocational trucks and off-road specialty applications:

Muncie PTOs are ubiquitous in North American work trucks such as dump trucks, utility/service trucks, wreckers, and refuse trucks. Their products cover small 6-bolt PTOs for medium-duty transmissions up through 8-bolt and 10-bolt PTOs for Allison automatics and Eaton UltraShift/Endurant. Muncie PTOs are often factory options on U.S. truck chassis. For extreme needs (e.g. large vacuum trucks or drill rigs), Muncie also makes split-shaft PTO units that mount in the driveline to provide multiple high-torque outputs (the SS66 model handles up to 2,900 lb·ft through-shaft, and the larger SSH2/SSV2 up to 21,600 lb·ft).
Chelsea (Parker) PTOs likewise span light to heavy. Parker’s lineup includes legacy 6-bolt PTOs (e.g. 442/489 series) commonly used on manual transmissions, 8-bolt PTOs for heavy manual or auxiliary transmissions, and 10-bolt powershift PTOs for popular automatics like the Allison 3000/4000 series. Parker also produces split-shaft PTO gearboxes (e.g. the Chelsea 912 series) that provide multiple PTO openings when a transmission has none or only one – the 912 offers three 8-bolt PTO ports for Class 7–8 trucks, letting operators drive multiple implements simultaneously.
Bezares PTOs see heavy use in Europe, Latin America, and Asia on a wide range of trucks – from European brands (DAF, Iveco, Scania, Mercedes, etc.) to American makes. They offer models for popular gearboxes like ZF manuals, Mercedes and Volvo automated transmissions, and Allison automatics. Bezares emphasizes high performance under harsh conditions – their PTOs use robust cast iron housings, large bearings, and quality seals to ensure reliability. In practice, Bezares PTOs are found in applications like tippers, concrete mixers, refuse trucks, and heavy rescue vehicles worldwide. Their designs often prioritize weight savings; for example, the heavy Bezares 8500 series is 10–20% lighter than competing models for the same torque. This can benefit off-road trucks where weight and space are at a premium.

Product Line Differences and Key Features

Each manufacturer’s PTO product line covers similar functions, but there are some differentiators in design and technology:

Muncie PTO Line: Muncie’s flagship PTO is the TG Series, a versatile double-gear 6-bolt PTO that has become an industry standard. The TG is known for its modularity – it offers 10 speed ratios, 13 shift types, 10 output shaft options, and 11 input gears to fit most transmissions. The TG’s aluminum housing keeps weight low and helps dissipate heat. Muncie also produces heavy 8-bolt PTOs like the 82 Series for high-torque needs. The 82 Series (cast iron housing) handles up to 500 lb·ft and 95 HP, with options for dual hydraulic pumps and air shift. For fully automatic transmissions, Muncie’s CS (Clutch Shift) Series PTOs (e.g. CS10/11) incorporate an internal wet clutch pack and solenoid for power shifting under load. The CS10/11 is rated to 500 lb·ft as well, with an integrated drag brake to stop the shaft when disengaged. Notably, Muncie was first to add a drag brake in their clutch PTOs – a feature that prevents coasting and eases gear engagement. At the top end, Muncie’s latest heavy-duty PTOs (e.g. CS40 Series) extend torque capacity into the ~600 lb·ft range for extreme applications. Muncie also offers specialized units like reversible PTOs for winches and the aforementioned split-shaft gearboxes (SS series) for multiple outputs. Overall, Muncie emphasizes broad flexibility, ease of installation, and integration with common truck transmissions in North America.
Parker Chelsea PTO Line: For manual transmissions, Chelsea’s classic 6-bolt units (the old 442 series and current 489 series) are widely used. The 489 is a one-piece cast iron PTO that simplified the older two-piece 442 design, reducing leak points and installation time. It provides the same torque as the 442 but with greater flexibility – 27 output options, 11 internal gear ratios, and 15 shift configurations are available. On the heavy-duty end, Chelsea’s 8-bolt 880 Series is a constant-mesh mechanical PTO designed for tough jobs. The 880 handles up to 500 lb·ft torque intermittently and is built with robust tapered bearings and a durable cast iron housing. Its high-speed gearing makes it popular for large blower and fire pump drives. For modern automatics, Parker introduced the 280 Series powershift PTO, which merged the earlier 277/278 models into a single 10-bolt PTO with significant improvements. The 280 Series has a single continuous-duty torque rating (no intermittent derate) and expanded to 9 speed ratios. Features like rotatable pump flanges for better clearance and a built-in pressure lubrication hose are standard. Chelsea further pushed innovation with the 871 Series – a compact 10-bolt PTO for Allison 3000/4000 transmissions that boasts up to 670 lb·ft torque capacity continuously (no need to de-rate for continuous use). The 871 introduced options for Quiet Gear™ (lower noise operation), SmartStart (soft start to reduce shock), and Wet Spline lube – Parker is unique in offering all three in one PTO. This focus on high-tech solutions to improve durability (e.g. eliminating spline fretting with oil lube) and reduce NVH is a Chelsea hallmark. Additionally, Parker offers many specialty PTOs: constant-mesh non-shift PTOs (e.g. 877 series) for continuous drives, split-shaft PTO boxes like the 912 (with three PTO ports) for complex rigs, and various dual-output and reversible models. Parker’s PTOs generally come with a standard 2-year warranty, reflecting their confidence in durability.
Bezares PTO Line: Bezares produces an equally wide array of PTOs, often categorized by the transmission brand or type. Their 1000 Series and 2000 Series PTOs cover standard 6-bolt and 8-bolt manual transmission openings, respectively. For example, the 1000 Series is a two-gear, single-speed PTO for SAE 6-bolt patterns, built in cast iron with large 12 mm mounting hardware for strength. Its torque capacity is on the order of 250–300 lb·ft (around 49 HP at 1000 RPM) depending on gear ratio – comparable to other brands’ standard-duty PTOs. Moving up, Bezares’ 3151 Series is a heavy-duty constant-mesh PTO for popular automatics (Allison MD/HD and Caterpillar transmissions). The 3151 is a 10-bolt side mount PTO that handles up to 500 lb·ft intermittent and 400 lb·ft continuous torque (approx 95 HP), similar to Muncie’s and Chelsea’s offerings. It features a robust internal lubrication system and can mount on either side of the transmission, with multiple pump flange outputs (SAE B, BB, C, etc.) for versatility.

A standout in Bezares’ lineup is the 8500 Series – an 8-bolt “super heavy-duty” PTO targeted at the same niche as the Chelsea 880 and Muncie 82/828. The 8500 is rated up to 500 lb·ft as well, but as mentioned, it’s built lighter (10–20% weight reduction) while still using a robust housing and oversized bearings. This reflects Bezares’ design philosophy of optimizing material use without sacrificing power. Bezares also offers many specialty PTOs: dual output PTOs (e.g. 4250 Series) that have two independently shiftable outputs for driving two accessories at once, splitter gearboxes (intermediate split-shafts) for mounting multiple PTOs where transmissions lack openings, and rear mount PTOs for transmissions like the Mack mDrive/Volvo I-Shift. Overall, Bezares PTOs are recognized for ruggedness and adaptability – they often advertise full compatibility with the PTO apertures and pump mounts of all major truck makes. Their growing presence in North America via Eaton indicates their PTOs meet the demanding standards of American heavy truck operators as well.

Comparison of Top PTO Models and Specifications

Each manufacturer’s range covers overlapping capabilities. The table below compares five categories of popular PTO models from Muncie, Chelsea, and Bezares, focusing on current heavy-truck offerings that are roughly equivalent in application. These include standard-duty PTOs for manual transmissions (6-bolt), heavy-duty PTOs for larger transmissions (8-bolt and 10-bolt), and special high-power or multi-output units. Key features and tech specs like mounting type, nominal torque rating, and notable options are listed:

PTO Category	Muncie (Model & Specs)	Parker Chelsea (Model & Specs)	Bezares (Model & Specs)
Standard 6-Bolt PTO (Manual Transmissions – e.g. Eaton Fuller mid-range)	TG Series – 6-bolt, double-gear PTO with die-cast aluminum housing. Offers 10 ratios, 13 shift types, 10 outputs, 11 input gears for broad compatibility. Rated ~300 lb·ft (varies by ratio); known for easy installation and modular repair. More about TG Series	489 Series – 6-bolt, one-piece cast iron PTO (supersedes older 442). Same torque as 442 (~300 lb·ft). 11 speed ratios, 15 shift options, and 27 output configurations available (including rotatable flanges). Designed for quick mounting with fewer leak points.	1000 Series – 6-bolt, two-gear PTO (standard mount). All cast iron construction with large mounting bolts. Offers multiple internal gear ratios (e.g. 0.55 up to 1.65 engine speed) and shift types (air, cable, etc.). Max torque ~250 lb·ft (≈49 HP) at 1000 RPM in top gear ratio. Emphasizes reliability for everyday vocational use.
Heavy 8-Bolt PTO (Heavy manual/aux transmissions – high torque mechanical shift)	82 Series – 8-bolt heavy-duty PTO with cast iron housing. Constant mesh input, lever or air shift. Handles up to 500 lb·ft torque and 95 HP@1000 RPM. Offers 8 speed ratios and multiple output shafts (incl. dual pump mounts). Weighs ~85 lbs, built for severe service.	880 Series – 8-bolt heavy-duty PTO, mechanical shift (lever or air). Rated up to 500 lb·ft intermittent torque. Features 8 internal ratios and 10 output types. Robust cast iron housing with tapered bearings for high load. Often used on bulk haulers, fire trucks, and oilfield rigs for its toughness.	8500 Series – 8-bolt super heavy-duty PTO. Supports 500 lb·ft class torque like competitors, but engineered ~15% lighter. Symmetrical, heavy-wall housing for mounting flexibility and strength. Large bearings and high-grade seals for longevity in continuous-duty jobs. Competes directly with Muncie 82/Chelsea 880.
10-Bolt Powershift PTO (Automatic Transmissions – e.g. Allison 3000/4000 series)	A20 Series – Clutch-shift 10-bolt PTO family designed primarily for Allison 3000 and 4000 series transmissions. It is rated for up to 415 lb-ft of torque in both intermittent and continuous operation. One of its standout features is a rotatable pump flange offering unlimited positions and Wet Spline lube option, which allows flexibility in pump mounting orientation without disturbing seals or requiring special shims. The flange may be shipped loose or preset to a customer-specified position code. Typical applications for the A20 include class 7–8 trucks performing jobs such as dump, refuse, utility, tow & recovery, snow & ice, fire/rescue, and bulk hauling.	281 Series – Clutch-shift PTO (replaces Chelsea 277/278). Single continuous-duty rating (no intermittent vs. continuous split) for simplicity. Expanded to 9 speed ratios including new very low and high speeds. Rotatable cast iron pump flanges improve clearance, and Wet Spline lube option extends shaft life 7–10×. Integrated solenoid (3 mounting positions or remote) and included pressure lube hose simplify installation. Torque capacity is best-in-class for its size (in practice roughly 400–450 lb·ft continuous). Ideal for fire/rescue, vacuum trucks, and refuse vehicles requiring reliable continuous power.	3252 Series – Clutch-shift power take-off (PTO) designed for medium-duty applications. It uses a manually actuated clutch mechanism to engage and disengage the drive of the PTO onto the output shaft, allowing smooth, controlled transitions under load. The 3252 model features rugged construction with durable internal gearing and bearing support, making it suitable for fluid power tasks such as operating pumps or auxiliary equipment in commercial and industrial vehicle systems. The 3252 has torque ratings up to 410 lb-ft (intermittent) and 310 lb-ft (continuous) for certain internal ratio configurations.
Ultra High-Torque PTO (Extended duty / higher HP applications)	CS40 Series – Extra heavy 10-bolt clutch PTO (Allison World transmissions). Rated up to 600 lb·ft torque (depending on ratio) to handle higher input from big engines. Like CS10, it uses a wet clutch shift but with beefier gears and no drag brake (on CS40/41). Typically used where standard 500 ft·lb PTOs are at their limit – e.g. large combo dump–blower trucks or oilfield pump units. Muncie’s focus here is maximum output within transmission PTO capacity.	871 Series – High-capacity 10-bolt PowerShift PTO for Allison 3000/4000. Compact housing to avoid clearance issues, yet supports up to 670 lb·ft torque continuous – a significant jump in PTO power density. Incorporates all advanced Chelsea options: Quiet Gear™ to reduce noise, SmartStart to soften engagement shock, and Wet Spline lubrication to prevent shaft wear. A ductile iron strengthened bearing housing (+117% strength over prior designs) controls vibration from modern diesel engines. This PTO is targeted at extreme-duty uses like large fire pumps, high-volume blowers, and continuous-duty industrial trucks where others might require cool-down periods.	No dedicated model above 500 lb·ft. Bezares typically meets ultra high torque needs with split-shaft gearboxes or dual-output systems rather than a single PTO. The 3151 Series (500 lb·ft) remains their top trans-mounted PTO. However, Bezares’ strategy for beyond-500 lb·ft is to use an intermediate splitter box (see below) that can deliver up to 900+ lb·ft through multiple PTO outputs. This approach sacrifices direct transmission mounting in favor of massive through-torque capacity, as often required in off-road and specialized trucks.
Split-Shaft / Multi-Output (Standalone PTO Gearboxes in Driveline)	SSH2/SSV2 Split-Shaft – Muncie’s heavy split-shaft PTOs mount in the truck driveline to provide two or more PTO outputs. The SSH2 (horizontal) and SSV2 (vertical) units can take 21,600 lb·ft of input torque through the shaft and provide up to 936 lb·ft torque on each PTO output. They include multiple 8-bolt and 6-bolt openings for standard PTOs and can be shifted by air or electric actuators. These are used on very large rigs (airport crash tenders, mobile drill rigs, etc.) where transmission-mounted PTOs alone can’t supply enough power or quantity of outputs.	912 Split-Shaft – Parker’s solution for Class 7–8 trucks needing extra PTOs. The 912 is basically a transfer case that offers three 8-bolt PTO mounting apertures. It accepts the truck’s driveshaft input (available with 1610/1710/1810 series yokes) and can be engaged via air or lever. This unit allows multiple hydraulic pumps or accessories to run simultaneously. Throughput torque is on the order of 15,000+ lb·ft, with each PTO pad capable of driving a standard Chelsea PTO (which in turn can output hundreds of lb·ft each). The 912 and its smaller sibling 901/941 series cover trucks with automatics that lack enough factory PTO openings.	Splitter Boxes & Dual PTOs – Bezares offers various intermediate gearboxes to multiply PTO outputs. For example, their “SB” Splitter Box products provide twin PTO apertures (6- or 8-bolt) to drive two pumps from one transmission output. They also have a 820 Series twin-output gearbox which can mount two pumps with independent gear ratios for each. For maximum simultaneous outputs, Bezares even has a special 3-output gearbox (allowing three pumps at once). Additionally, the 4250 Dual Output PTO is an 8-bolt transmission PTO with two separate air-shifted outputs in one unit. These solutions showcase Bezares’ focus on flexibility – instead of a single giant PTO, they provide systems to combine multiple PTO functions to meet high power demands. This is particularly useful in European heavy haul and military trucks that require compact multi-functional PTO arrangements.

Table: Comparative overview of five PTO categories – standard-duty 6-bolt PTOs, heavy 8-bolt PTOs, 10-bolt clutch-shift PTOs, ultra high-torque PTO solutions, and split-shaft/multiple-output systems – from Muncie, Parker Chelsea, and Bezares. Key features and specifications are cited from manufacturer data for current models.

The Best PTO for You

All three manufacturers produce robust PTOs capable of powering heavy truck auxiliaries, but each brings its own strengths. Muncie leverages decades of work-truck focus with highly configurable PTOs (especially in the North American market) and innovations like drag brakes, advanced lubrication and modular designs for ease of use. Parker Chelsea, backed by Parker’s engineering resources, offers a broad range and innovative options to maximize PTO lifespan and performance. Bezares, with its global perspective, often emphasizes compact yet heavy-duty solutions and integration across many truck makes – even achieving weight reductions while matching torque outputs.

In practice, the choice may come down to application requirements and regional support. Muncie and Chelsea PTOs are widely supported by truck OEMs and dealers in North America, whereas Bezares (now distributed by Eaton in NA) is a popular choice for those seeking an alternative or specific niche solutions. Technically, when comparing similar models side-by-side, the performance specs (torque, horsepower, ratio options) are quite comparable – as we’ve seen, each offers 6-bolt units around 250–300 lb·ft, and heavy units around 500+ lb·ft torque. However, the differentiators like noise reduction, ease of maintenance, and multi-output capability can sway the decision. For example, a fire tanker build might favor a Chelsea 871 for its quiet, high-torque continuous operation, while a heavy wrecker might opt for Muncie’s split-shaft for running several winches at once, and a European tipper might use a Bezares PTO for its lighter weight on a given transmission.

All three companies have a rich legacy – from Muncie’s 85+ years in Indiana to Chelsea’s origins in PTO design to Bezares’ global expansion since the 1950s – and they continue to innovate PTO technology. Ultimately, truck builders and upfitters benefit from this competition, as today’s PTOs are more powerful, reliable, and tailored to specialized needs than ever before. By understanding the strengths of Muncie, Chelsea, and Bezares product lines, one can select the optimal PTO solution to efficiently and safely harness engine power for any heavy-duty job at hand. Contact us today to get a quote and discuss your PTO needs with an expert.

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