Is It Safe to Switch GSD3-240-3N4 DC Drives With Unitronics PLC Relay Outputs?

Hello,
I am currently building a piece of automation at work. This is my first piece of automation that I am designing and building myself. My weakness is definitely the wiring portion of this project. My budget is limited and I need to control 8 DC motors. Currently here is my setup,
1.) DC drives- GSD3-240-3N4 (automation direct part Number) Link to Specs
 https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/specs/gsd3dcdrives.pdf
2.) Leeson  90V DC motor- M1120062.00 (2.6A, 90VDC)
3.) Unitronics PLC-HMI vision series. 12 relay outputs, 3amps max per contact.


Here is my question,
These drives cannot accept digital inputs to "turn on or off" the drive. This means I will have to supply the 110V to the drive whenever i want the motors to start. I understand that it is never a good practice to run motors directly off the contacts of the PLC, but in this case, with the motors amperage within range of the contact ratings, do you think this is acceptable? I plan on adding a snubber circuit to help reduce the voltage spikes from the motor.


With regards to the snubber circuit, would i want the snubber circuit in parallel with the motor. (lets say i have a RC snubber mounted directly in the pecker head of the motor) Or do i want the snubber mounted where I make the connection to the drive on the 110V side coming from the PLC contact?


Thanks in advance,
Mike

Mike"I understand that it is never a good practice to run motors directly off the contacts of the PLC, but in this case, with the motors amperage within range of the contact ratings, do you think this is acceptable?"Your understanding is good.  Yes, your contracts might be rated greater than the motor current, but at 100V and 2.6A you are going to get some sparking, even with snubbers.A quick search on the site of one of my suppliers revealed a range of 24V relays (I'm assuming here that your PLC supply is 24V but the same applies for any voltage) capable of switching the currents you are looking at, for under $5 a pop.So for a maximum outlay of around $40 you are protecting your PLC output relays.  It will be so much easier to replace a relay if something does go wrong, than to fix your PLC - you may be able to replace the PLC relay yourself but at the least you'd be looking at a search for the exact relay type.Using PLC outputs for anything more than a light bulb or a few LEDS is false economy.

Thanks for the response. I also just did a quick search and was able to find relays with 10amp contact ratings for under $5. This is the route I will be taking. 

One thing I forgot, Mike, if you use an external relay be sure to use a catching or flywheel diode as below

Thanks Mike...good thinking...have fun with it and good luck.