The brake industry is not one you typically think about, but it is one that’s growing steadily. The global market for this industry is expected to reach a value of almost $2 billion within the next decade. This means that they are likely to see changes within that time period, and it may be an opportune time to get yours looked at or replaced.

First, some fast facts about the machinery itself. When operating as recommended, the hydraulic PTO, or hydraulic power take off, and drive shaft typically rotate either 9 times per second or approximately 17 times per second. This doesn’t mean much at first glance, but it does show that when not being operated as recommended, the parts may not be performing as well as they could. In fact, an estimated 80% of problems with PTO entanglements involve the operator of either the tractor or another machine. This means, of course, that if you’re having a problem with your machine either now or in the future, it could be because you were simply working it too hard. And that could save you a lot of headaches in the future as the industry starts to change.

While it’s true that the recommended rps may change within the next few years as brakes and clutches start to shift, the idea behind it is important to keep in mind. So what can you expect to change in the next few years concerning brakes and clutches? Well, the makeup of these parts, for one. The brake pads made after 2021 must have 5% less copper in them, according to the Better Brakes Law. By 2025, they want to have that percentage down to only 0.5%. This will include heavy duty brakes as well, not just the industrial brake and clutch used in your everyday machines. This means that you’ll be buying brakes that are structurally different and may not react the same way as your old ones, which could take some getting used to.

This also means that your hydraulic pto may react differently in tandem with your brakes now that the components will be changing. This makes it all the more important to use your hydraulics and machinery as recommended in the future.