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Remote PTO control for tractors: your options

What is out there, and what to check before you buy.

There are three common ways to run a tractor's PTO and throttle from outside the cab. We make one of them, so weigh this with that in mind.

Shop-built linkageArmrest actuator kitPlug-in harness (PowerSync)
How it worksRods or cables to the leversMotors press the tractor's own controlsSits between the sensors and the tractor's computer
Cab changesOften drilling or bracketsHardware mounted on the armrestInline connectors, no splicing
ReachLength of the linkageWirelessWireless, up to about 300 ft in the open
FitsWhatever you build it forDepends on the kitJohn Deere models with a matching harness

What to check before buying any remote system

  • What happens when the signal drops? The PTO should shut off and stay off. PowerSync shuts it off after 10 seconds without contact and will not restart by itself.
  • How does it start? A single button press is easy to bump. PowerSync needs two buttons pressed together, with the tractor's PTO switch on.
  • Can it be undone? Check whether it can come off without leaving cut wires or holes.
  • What about your warranty? Aftermarket add-ons, PowerSync included, are not authorized by the tractor maker and may affect your tractor warranty.
  • Does it fit your exact tractor? Models in one series can use different parts. Check yours.
Check My TractorSee PowerSync
Rotating PTO equipment can cause severe injury or death. Confirm people and animals are clear before you start, and keep the machine and the area around it in view. Tell everyone working nearby that the PTO is remote controlled. PowerSync is not a lockout device: before service, shut off the engine, remove the key, and disconnect the controller.