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Hydraulic thruster pto

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Matt46post, Oct 15, 2019.

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  1. Matt46post

    Matt46post Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2015
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    226
    Location:
    El dorado hills california
    Hi
    Has anybody had any experience running a hydraulic power unit for a 20-25hp bow thruster off a old Detroit desiel 8v92 main engine ? I have a pair of these in my trawler , I am running a pto off the back of one of the engines for the Niaid stabilizers and was hoping I could run another one for a 12” abt trac bow thruster , it seems with engine running low rpms at idle it would take a large unit to actually power the thruster ? I have Allison trans missions , can I run something bigger off the front of the engine and or gear a pto it so turns much faster? I am also considering running a 220v electric hydraulic power unit with a 20 gallon tank... any advice would really be really helpful
    Best regards
    Matt
  2. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Not certain how you're currently plumbed, but I would think that your existing hydraulic pumps for your stabilizers can be the source of your hydraulic supply for the thruster as there would be plenty of pressure, and upon maneuvering speeds your stabilizers should be in a locked position. No need to duplicate the hydraulic pump supply. Just tap into it.
  3. Matt46post

    Matt46post Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2015
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    Location:
    El dorado hills california
    Unfortunately the stabilizer pumps just don’t put out enough power to run thrusters
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Satsuma, FL
    On a Hatteras MY we worked on, The thrusters ran off a PTO straight from the port main crank shaft forward.
    Big asp pump in the shadows.
    The Niaids ran normally from the back of the stb main.
  5. captainwjm

    captainwjm Senior member

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    Location:
    Miami, FL, Cape Elizabeth, ME
    Can’t answer the specific question, but my thruster works off the PTO on my 20 kw genny, stabilizers off the starboard main.
  6. Matt46post

    Matt46post Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2015
    Messages:
    226
    Location:
    El dorado hills california
    Thanks for the feed back captainwjm, I have one of the thrusters running off of a 20kw genset and I want to run another thruster so I need another 20-25hp power source, I am looking at running it of the front or side of the main engine, I am unsure if they can gear a pto so it turns 3-4 faster than the engine?