Method and apparatus for automating power take-offs for vehicles and equipment

A method for automatically engaging and disengaging a power take-off connected to an engine of a motor vehicle and a crane and an air compressor mounted on the motor vehicle, the power take-off in communication with a sensor arranged to monitor a fluid power circuit including the crane and the air compressor, and a controller including a microprocessor and associated software in circuit communication with the sensor, a first and a second timer, the power take-off and the engine, the method executed by the controller and comprising:

• monitoring a power demand of the fluid power circuit as indicated by the sensor;
• automatically engaging the power take-off and increasing engine rpm above idle rpm when the engine is at the idle rpm and at least one of the crane and the air compressor transitions between an off state and an on state;
• starting the first timer when the at least one of the crane and the air compressor is in the on-state and the power demand on the fluid power circuit as indicated by the sensor is at or below a predetermined threshold, the controller continuing to maintain engagement of the power take-off and the increased engine rpm;
• automatically disengaging the power take-off, resetting the first timer, decreasing engine rpm, and setting the second timer when the at least one of the crane and the air compressor is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time as indicated by the first timer and the power demand on the fluid power circuit as indicated by the sensor is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of time;
• and
• shutting off the engine and resetting the second timer when the power take-off is disengaged for a predetermined amount of time as indicated by the second timer;
• wherein the at or below the predetermined threshold indicates no load on the at least one of the crane and the air compressor, and
• wherein above the predetermined threshold indicates a power demand on the fluid power circuit because of a load on the at least one of the crane and the air compressor.