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 How to Find the Right PTO Attachment for Your Tractor

Find the best PTO attachment for your tractor. Compare PTO horsepower, RPM, 3-point hitch, hydraulics, and applications to choose the right Farmry equipment.

Choosing the right PTO attachment starts with understanding your tractor and the work you need to complete. Before purchasing, always check your tractor's PTO horsepower, PTO speed, three-point hitch category, hydraulic requirements, lift capacity, and PTO shaft compatibility.

A product that physically connects to your tractor is not necessarily the best match. The right PTO attachment should be compatible with your tractor's specifications and properly sized for your application, property, terrain, and workload.

If you're unsure which Farmry product is right for you, simply provide your tractor brand, model, and intended application. The Farmry team can help review your requirements and recommend the best-matched equipment.

Know your tractor. Understand your job. Choose the right Farmry equipment.

Step 1: Find Your Tractor Brand and Model

Start with the exact manufacturer and model number of your tractor.

Examples include:

  • John Deere 3038E
  • Kubota L3902
  • Mahindra 1626
  • Massey Ferguson 1840M
  • New Holland Workmaster 50

The model number helps identify your tractor's engine horsepower, PTO horsepower, hitch category, PTO speed, and hydraulic specifications.

If you are unsure, check the tractor identification plate, owner's manual, or manufacturer's specifications.

Step 2: Check Your Tractor's PTO Horsepower

PTO horsepower is one of the most important factors when choosing a PTO attachment.

Do not rely only on engine horsepower.

For example, a tractor may have 40 engine horsepower but provide less horsepower at the PTO.

Always compare your tractor's PTO HP with the attachment's recommended tractor horsepower or PTO horsepower range.

Example

If a flail mower requires 30–50 HP, your tractor should fall within the recommended operating range.

A tractor with insufficient PTO power may experience poor cutting performance, reduced rotor speed, or frequent engine bogging.

An oversized tractor may also damage an attachment if the implement is operated beyond its rated capacity.

Step 3: Confirm PTO Speed

Most compact and utility tractor attachments use a 540 RPM PTO.

However, some tractors and larger agricultural equipment may use:

  • 540 RPM
  • 540E
  • 1,000 RPM

The tractor PTO speed must match the attachment's rated PTO speed.

Never operate a 540 RPM attachment at 1,000 RPM unless the equipment is specifically designed for that speed.

Check the product specifications before purchasing.

Step 4: Check the PTO Shaft Connection

Confirm that the PTO driveline is compatible with your tractor and attachment.

Check:

  • PTO spline size
  • Number of splines
  • PTO shaft length
  • Tractor-to-implement distance
  • PTO shaft power rating

A common tractor PTO connection is 1-3/8 inch, 6-spline, but specifications may vary.

The PTO shaft must also be the correct length.

A shaft that is too long may bind or damage the tractor and implement. A shaft that is too short may separate during operation.

If you are unsure, contact Farmry with your tractor model and the Farmry product you are considering.

Step 5: Identify Your Three-Point Hitch Category

Many Farmry tractor attachments connect through a three-point hitch.

Common hitch categories include:

Hitch Category Typical Tractor Type
Category 0 Garden and very small tractors
Category 1 Compact and small utility tractors
Category 2 Medium and larger utility tractors
Category 3 Large agricultural tractors

Compact tractors commonly use Category 1, while larger utility tractors may use Category 2.

Check both your tractor and attachment specifications.

If the categories do not match, an adapter or different attachment model may be required.

Step 6: Check Hydraulic Requirements

Some tractor attachments require hydraulic connections for functions such as:

  • Hydraulic side shift
  • Offset movement
  • Cutting head angle adjustment
  • Backhoe operation
  • Hydraulic feed systems
  • Cylinder control

Check how many hydraulic remotes or rear hydraulic outlets the attachment requires.

You should also verify:

  • Hydraulic flow rate
  • Hydraulic pressure
  • Number of hydraulic connections
  • Coupler type

A PTO-compatible tractor is not automatically hydraulically compatible with every attachment.

Step 7: Check the Tractor's Lift Capacity

The tractor must safely lift and control the attachment.

Compare the attachment weight with your tractor's three-point hitch lift capacity.

Pay attention to where the tractor manufacturer measures lift capacity. Capacity measured at the lift points may differ from capacity measured 24 inches behind the lift points.

For heavy attachments, front ballast or front weights may also be required to maintain tractor stability.

Step 8: Choose the Attachment Based on Your Application

After confirming tractor compatibility, select the product based on the work you need to complete.

Flail Mowers

Best for:

  • Pasture maintenance
  • Tall grass
  • Weeds
  • Light brush
  • Orchards
  • Roadside mowing
  • Uneven terrain

Consider cutting width, tractor horsepower, vegetation density, and whether you need hydraulic side shift or offset mowing.

Wood Chippers

Best for:

  • Tree maintenance
  • Branch cleanup
  • Forestry work
  • Farms
  • Large properties

Consider maximum chipping diameter, PTO horsepower, hydraulic feed, and material type.

Rotary Tillers

Best for:

  • Soil preparation
  • Garden plots
  • Farms
  • Seedbed preparation

Consider tilling width, soil conditions, tractor horsepower, and working depth.

Backhoe Attachments

Best for:

  • Trenching
  • Drainage work
  • Landscaping
  • Farm maintenance
  • Light excavation

Check tractor size, hydraulic requirements, attachment system, digging depth, and stability requirements.

Stump Grinders

Best for:

  • Stump removal
  • Property maintenance
  • Forestry
  • Landscaping

Check PTO horsepower, hydraulic requirements, cutting wheel specifications, and tractor stability.

Farmry PTO Compatibility Checklist

Before purchasing, confirm:

✓ Tractor brand and model
✓ Engine horsepower
✓ PTO horsepower
✓ PTO speed: 540 or 1,000 RPM
✓ PTO spline specification
✓ Three-point hitch category
✓ Hydraulic outlets
✓ Hydraulic flow and pressure, if required
✓ Three-point hitch lift capacity
✓ Attachment weight
✓ Intended application
✓ Required working width or capacity

Not Sure Which Farmry Product Fits Your Tractor?

Send the Farmry team (info@farmry.com) the following information:

Tractor Brand:
Tractor Model:
Engine HP:
PTO HP, if known:
PTO Speed:
3-Point Hitch Category:
Hydraulic Remotes:
Property Size:
Main Application:
Material or Vegetation Type:

Our team can help identify the Farmry attachment that best matches your tractor and application.

Don't know all the specifications? Just send us your tractor brand and model. We can help you determine what information is needed before choosing your equipment.