I recently learned that an 85 ford f150 can have a p.t.o. Does anyone know if this is expensive to ad on and what all is involved?

 

It's going to be an add-on that connects to the side of a manual transmission (T-19 has covers on both sides I believe, the T-18 only one side (passenger IIRC)). Used for operating dump lifts, tree branch chippers, etc. and how much you spend, what is involved, etc. will depend on what you're wanting to power with it.

 

I'm wanting to power a wood splitter with it.

 

Pretty big waste of fuel for that purpose. Why not buy a cheap little engine from Harbor Freight and use that?

I will warn you, you can't hardly build a splitter for what they want for a off-brand one at the store like Tractor Supply, especially if it's on sale. I built my own, and did save a little but not much. It's hard to build one for less than $1000 if you have to buy all the components.

 

So i still don't understand, is the pto shaft under the cover on the transmission or is it something i need to ad on?

 

If you have a manual trans in the T18 or NP435 flavor, there is a spur gear under that cover that engages with another gear in the PTO. The PTO is a unit that must be bolted to the trans, and properly adjusted to make sure it engages properly. Pretty pics for a well used $100 unit here:

BORG WARNER T9 PTO #13758 - Detail Information from HeavyTruckParts.Net

IMO for a wood splitter, this would be more trouble than it's worth. A small gas engine would be far easier and safer to work with.

 

It's not a shaft like a tractor PTO.
Just a window that lets you engage a gear to drive a hydraulic pump.

You would need the PTO, pump, hydraulic reservoir and hoses to connect to.
This is fine for a dump, winch or a plow.
Carpet cleaners even have them in a van.

But it seems like too much work and $$$ just to run a splitter.

 

Based on many years experience with log splitters, vehicle hydraulics and PTO's I wouldn't do it. I can't imagine it being cost effective unless you have a real need for other hydraulics, like a winch or dump or some such.

But for those interested in a pretty clever, but very involved setup, here's a guy who made some pretty serious modifications to his Land Rover 109.
The Log Rover Project
Keep in mind he did it as part of a frame off rebuild.

 

Thanks for all the information, nice splitter!