‘EQUIPMENT REVIEW’ visits with Darrel Drouillard, Lead PTO Specialist at Commercial Truck Equipment’s PTO Department and discovers there’s more to this first-class PTO Bench than first meets the eye…

By Jerry Skinner, Publisher, EQUIPMENT REVIEW.

It is difficult to talk about the PTO Department at Commercial Truck Equipment without talking about, and talking to Darrel Drouillard, Lead PTO Specialist. He is at the heart of the PTO Department’s operations, and is responsible for its ongoing daily operations. Darrel started with Danco Equipment in1976. In the early 1980’s he attended SAIT in Calgary where he earned his “Journeyman Welding Certificate.” He was a welder at Danco until the mid-‘80’s, when he was transferred to the PTO Bay. Darrel recalls spending many productive and enjoyable years at Danco. Subsequent to Danco’s acquisition by Commercial Truck Equipment (CTE) Darrel has continued as Lead PTO Specialist.

“…nothing but glowing praise for his new employer…” 

In discussing life after Danco, and life with ‘CTE’, Darrel has nothing but glowing praise for his new employer. In his words, “Commercial provides an extremely good working environment, due in most part to its policy of involving staff in overall company activities – especially in matters relating to employee safety and in addressing any concerns or suggestions that might improve the company’s safety and performance. The staff is also kept abreast of CTE’s ongoing performance and results in regards to the ‘bigger picture’, and therefore a real feeling of involvement and commitment is generated with all the staff.”

Darrel has recently recovered from some serious health setbacks, but is happy to report that things are totally back to normal. After undergoing major Open Heart surgery in February of this year he was back to work in May – a remarkable testament to his energy and optimistic attitude to life, and work! He fully enjoys every day at his bench taking care of his customers’ PTO requirements – a task which rewards him with great pleasure and fulfillment. Behind his always cheerful and upbeat demeanor lies a true dedication to excellence, and a desire to provide his customers with a superior product from specification right through to installation. Darrel proudly declares, “From tow trucks, crane trucks, oilfield winch tractors to crude tankers with product pumps, CTE can install and maintain it all.”

Shane Craw, Darrel’s assistant (and “right arm”) was also a former Danco employee for some years before the acquisition by CTE. He has been Darrel’s assistant since that time, and is both capable and experienced in any PTO servicing task. Shane’s background is in aircraft mechanics, so he is well suited to facing the various technical demands that are encountered when working with PTOs. Darrel adds, “He listens and learns very quickly, and rarely needs to be told anything twice, he is my right arm and a real pleasure to work with. Shane is capable of handling any job regardless of how challenging it might be. I am happy in the knowledge that when my day of retirement arrives the PTO Bench at Commercial will be in good hands, in fact, as good as it is now.”

 

 

PTO Department 

“Every job is finished right, to our customer’s requirements – and delivered in a timely manner.”

CTE’s PTO Department builds and services all series of Parker/Chelsea PTO lines. From the mechanical 6-bolt PTO up to the power shift 8-bolt, it can provide exactly what its customers require. Different ratios and output shaft and flanges are always available – for standard and automatic transmission applications. A large selection of hydraulic pumps, as well as both gear and piston style pumps are always in stock, and a wide variety of GPM and pressure ratings are available.

CTE’s long term customers have been supplied with the same PTO and Application manuals that it uses itself. Many customers have become so familiar with the product that in many cases they can spec their own jobs. They are comfortable in reading the spec books and relevant applications, and then ordering the required parts for the PTO Department to install, or ship. CTE’s PTO Bench is larger than the industry norm, and is supported by an excellent parts support system. Parker’s Calgary warehouse provides easy access to non-stocked items, usually delivered same-day to Commercial Truck Equipment. The end result is, in Darrel’s words, “Every job is finished right, to our customer’s requirements – and delivered in a timely manner.”

This service and parts capability combines effectively with CTE’s Sales Department, as customers can order a complete unit to their specifications – from the cab-chassis to the finished product. This technical expertise and experience provides a “one-stop-store” for any equipment user operating equipment that requires a PTO.

CTE also carries the Parker Gresen line of hydraulic valves, from the V10 Series up to the DVA 35 Series. The PTO Department provides a 10GPM to 70GPM valve build program that can meet most demands in the same day. Lever or air cylinder actuation is available, alone or with remote controls. It can also build custom control cables for any application. The cable build program supplies four sizes of control cables, plus brake and clutch cables.

In conclusion, Darrel states, “Our PTO Department is capable of doing ‘most anything in keeping with our customers on the road.”

‘ER’ would like to thank Darrel for his valued assistance in the production of this article.