Farm Implements 101: What Every New Farmer Should Know
- Joshua Brock
- Oct 28
- 10 min read
From plows and cultivators to loaders and balers, farm implements are essential for saving time and increasing productivity on the farm. It can certainly feel overwhelming, especially if you're just getting started. This guide breaks down the most common farm implements, their practical uses, and whether it makes sense to purchase or rent—so new farmers can make confident, cost-effective decisions.
A Look Ahead
Let's take a look at the list of topics we'll be discussing in this article:
While this article is directed primarily to new and less experienced farmers, we think there's something in here for everyone involved in Agriculture, no matter how long or in what capacity.
What Are Farm Implements?
As they say, "you have to walk before you can run", and in this case, we wanted to start just by ensuring we're all on the same page (same field?) with what exactly are farm implements, and how they differ from farming equipment. Some use the terms interchangeably, but they do mean different things
Farm equipment most often refers to machinery that is engine-powered for large-scale agricultural tasks. These include tractors, combines, or walk-behind tractors. Implements are attachments to farm equipment that help farmers prepare soil, plant crops, manage weeds, harvest, and handle livestock chores. The right implements not only save time and labor but also help increase yields and reduce stress on both the land and the farmer.
How Farmbrite Can Help
Farmbrite’s Equipment feature lets you track everything from tractors to implements, chainsaws, water tanks, you name it! A farm management software flexible enough to help you track anything and everything you use on your farm, from purchase to maintenance costs, repairs, and everything in between.
Some Important Details Before We Get Started
This article is not intended to be an all-encompassing, deep dive into farm equipment and implements. There are in-person and online courses, certifications, and schools for that level of detail, and we encourage you to seek them out, particularly if you are new to farming, don't have a mentor, or otherwise feel uncertain about your level of expertise.
With that said, we wanted to call attention to two important topics we felt were important to mention at the outset: safety and terminology. Again, we encourage you to take your knowledge and practical, hands-on experience to the next level with a certified course or instructor.
Tractor Safety
Tractors and implements are powerful tools, but they can also be dangerous if handled carelessly. A few simple precautions, especially around PTO shafts and heavy attachments, go a long way in preventing accidents.
We could write an entire article on tractor and equipment safety all by itself, but for the purposes of this article, wanted to call out a few important points to remember.
General Tractor Safety
Read the Operator’s Manual – Every tractor is different. Learn controls, safety systems, and weight limits.
Use the ROPS and Seatbelt – A rollover protective structure (ROPS) plus a seatbelt is the single best protection against rollovers.
Check Surroundings Before Starting – Look for people, animals, tools, or obstacles around the tractor.
Avoid Extra Riders – Tractors are built for one operator unless there’s a designated buddy seat.
Start and Stop Safely – Always start from the operator’s seat, never from the ground. Shut off the engine and remove the key before leaving the tractor.
Driving and Handling
Go Slow on Slopes – Drive straight up or down hills, not across. Use lower gears.
Balance Loads – Avoid carrying heavy loads too high, which can tip the tractor.
Stay Alert on Roads – Use proper lighting, reflective signs, and avoid traveling after dark if possible.
Keep the Tractor in Good Shape – Regularly check brakes, steering, tires, and hydraulic systems.
Implement Safety (Plows, Harrows, Loaders, etc.)
Match Implements to Tractor Size – Using oversized plows, discs, or loaders can strain the tractor and make it unstable.
Always Lower Implements Before Leaving the Seat – Never leave a raised plow, loader, or attachment unattended.
Use Locking Pins and Hitch Systems Correctly – Ensure implements are securely attached before operation.
Watch for Ground Hazards – Rocks, stumps, or uneven soil can cause equipment to jerk or the tractor to lurch.
PTO (Power Take-Off) Safety
Keep PTO Shields in Place – The master shield and implement guards should always be intact.
Stay Clear of Rotating Shafts – PTOs can pull in clothing instantly. Never step over a rotating PTO.
Disengage and Shut Off Engine Before Servicing – Never adjust or unclog equipment while the PTO is running.
Dress Right – Avoid loose clothing, long laces, or jewelry around PTO-powered implements.
Extra Tips for New Farmers
Take a tractor safety course if one is offered locally.
Never rush, most accidents happen when people are in a hurry.
Teach family members and farm helpers basic safety rules, even if they won’t be operating equipment themselves.
Terminology to Know
It helps to really know the lingo, especially as it helps ensure you're not only choosing the right implement or piece of equipment for the jobs you need them for at the farm, but the right-sized ones for you and your farm. Let's take a quick look at some of the most common terms to know on this topic.
PTO (Power Take-Off) – A rotating shaft that powers implements like balers, mowers, and augers. Usually rated at 540 or 1,000 RPM.
PTO Shield/Guard – Protective cover over the PTO shaft to prevent entanglement.
Safety Interlocks – Systems that prevent the tractor from starting or operating unless certain conditions (like seat presence or PTO disengagement) are met.
Three-Point Hitch – The most common way to attach implements. Includes two lower lift arms and an upper link for stability.
Hitch Categories – Define the size/strength of the three-point hitch system:
Category 0 – Small garden tractors and compact tractors.
Category 1 – Most small to mid-sized tractors (up to ~50 HP).
Category 2 – Larger tractors (40–100 HP range).
Category 3 & 4 – Heavy-duty farm and commercial tractors.
Drawbar – A horizontal bar for towing wagons, trailers, and pull-type implements.
Hydraulic Remotes/SCVs (Selective Control Valves) – Ports at the back of the tractor that let you connect hydraulic hoses to run implements.
Gearbox – Found on implements like mowers or augers; transfers PTO rotation into usable motion.
Hydraulic Cylinders – Provide lifting, tilting, or movement (e.g., on loaders, plows, or balers).
ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) – A frame or cab designed to protect the operator in case of a rollover. (It should always be used with a seatbelt.)
3-Point Lift Arms – The lower arms that raise/lower implements.
Top Link – Adjustable center link of the three-point hitch for leveling implements.
Hydraulic Top Link – Optional upgrade that lets you adjust the top link from the operator’s seat.
Tires (Ag, Turf, Industrial) – Each is designed for different traction and soil impact needs.
Common Types of Farm Implements
Implements can attach to the front, middle, or rear of a piece of equipment. Implements that attach to the front of a tractor or skid steer, front-mounted, are designed for both high visibility tasks and precision. Mid-mounted implements, although not as common as the other two, are generally for tasks that involve the need for high precision since the implement is directly under the watchful eye of the operator. Rear-mounted implements, generally speaking, are those that require more horsepower to operate and need less visibility, or in other words, do not need constant attention.
Let's take a look at some examples of each type, what these implements are best used for, and we've even thrown in some New Farmer tips for a number of them.
Front-Mounted
Front-End Loaders (aka Bucket Loaders)
Mounted on tractors, loaders scoop, lift, and move soil, gravel, manure, hay bales, and more.
Best For: Almost any farm.
New Farmer Tip: If you can only afford one tractor attachment to start with, a loader is often the most practical.
Pallet Fork
Mounted either as an attachment to a front-end loader's bucket or as its own stand-alone implement.
Best For: Moving heavier items, either located on pallets or that have a frame allowing for pallet forks to be placed underneath for moving.
Bale Spear
Mounted either as an attachment to a front-end loader's bucket or as its own stand-alone implement.
Best For: Handling heavy bales with ease and precision.
Root Grapple
Mounted as its own stand-alone implement, used to grasp large, heavy materials or objects, for example, during land-clearing jobs.
Best For: Roots, unearthed stumps, logs, field debris
"Suitcase" Weights and Ballast Boxes
Mounted to the front frame of a tractor, suitcase weights enhance the stability of the tractor and improve efficiency.
Suitcase weights are stackable and easily adjustable, providing flexibility in load distribution. Renowned for their simplicity and ease of handling, making them great for quick attachment or removal based on the needs of the task at hand.
Front ballast boxes offer a versatile solution for weight distribution, with the added benefit of storage space. Farmers can fill these boxes with everything from sand and gravel to tools and equipment, optimising the tractor’s weight distribution while giving easy access to essential items.
Best For: Tractors of any size needing additional stability, traction, and performance at the front-end of the machine, or to counter-balance a very heavy rear-mounted implement.
Mid-Mounted
As we noted a moment ago, mid-mounted implements are located closest to the tractor operator versus front and rear mounted ones. You can often find these types of implements on some row-crop farms, orchards, vineyards, and hopyards as the operator is often performing tasks such as cultivation, weeding, or tillage that need to be done with utmost precision around their respective crops.
Adaptive Cultivator System (ACS)
These tools control weeds, with mechanical weeders covering large areas and weed trimmers used for precision work around vine bases.
Best For: Cultivating and weeding around "woody" perennials, such as in vineyards and orchards.
Pruning and Leaf Pullers
Attachments for leaf pullers and other tools perform trimming, hedge clearing, and suckering removal.
Best For: Row crop perennials such as vineyards and hopyards with tight alleyways between rows, to perform plant pruning on a large scale.
Mowers and Shredders
Flail mowers cut overgrown grass in vineyard rows, while shredders handle weeds, branches, and vine shoots.
Best For: Row crop perennials such as vineyards and hopyards with tight alleyways between rows, to perform mowing around "woody" perennials such as in vineyards and orchards.
Rear-Mounted
Plows
A plow is one of the oldest and most fundamental tools in farming. It turns over the top layer of soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface while burying weeds and crop residue.
Best For: Preparing new ground, breaking up compacted soil, or incorporating cover crops.
New Farmer Tip: A plow is most useful if you’re starting with untouched or rough land. Once your soil is established, you may use it less often.
Harrows
After plowing, the soil can be clumpy and uneven. Harrows break up those clods, smooth the surface, and prepare a fine seedbed for planting.
Types: Disc harrows (good for breaking up large clumps) and tine harrows (lighter work, good for weed control)
New Farmer Tip: A small disc harrow is often enough for vegetable farmers or smaller acreage.
Seed Drills and Planters
Instead of scattering seeds by hand, these implements plant seeds at precise depths and spacing, improving germination rates.
Best For: Row crops, grains, or larger plots where hand seeding would take too much time.
New Farmer Tip: For very small farms, a walk-behind seeder might be enough before moving to a tractor-mounted seed drill.
Cultivators
Cultivators stir and loosen soil between rows of crops. They also help control weeds without the need for herbicides.
Best For: Row crops like corn, beans, and vegetables.
New Farmer Tip: Cultivators save a great deal of hand-weeding labor, worth considering early.
Mowers and Brush Hogs
Mowers cut grass for haymaking, while brush hogs (rotary cutters) are used to clear overgrown fields, weeds, and small brush.
Best For: Livestock farmers (for hay) or anyone maintaining pastures and field edges.
New Farmer Tip: If you’re starting livestock, a mower is essential for hay and pasture maintenance.
Balers
After cutting hay or straw, balers compress it into bales for easier storage and transport. Bales can be small squares, large squares, or large rounds depending on the equipment.
Best For: Livestock operations.
New Farmer Tip: Balers are expensive. It's often better rented or custom-hired until your farm is large enough to justify ownership.
Spreaders
Spreaders distribute fertilizer, lime, compost, or manure evenly over a field. This saves time and ensures consistent application.
Best For: Any farm looking to improve soil fertility.
New Farmer Tip: Even small-scale vegetable growers find compact spreaders valuable.
Wagons and Trailers
Simple but indispensable, wagons and trailers transport harvested crops, hay bales, feed, or equipment.
Best For: Farms of all sizes—practically universal.
Post Hole Diggers/Augers
Fencing requires a fair amount of maintenance on farms and ranches, and driving posts is a big chore. Adding attachments can be utilized for digging holes for fencing or even planting trees. Post hold diggers can also be standalone pieces of equipment, although they are not as powerful as when used as implements attached to and powered by the PTO of a tractor.
Best For: Livestock farms (for fencing) or orchards.
Purchasing vs. Renting: What Makes Sense?
One of the biggest decisions for new farmers is whether to buy or rent equipment.
When to Buy
You’ll use it often: Implements like loaders, wagons, or cultivators are useful year-round.
Your farm relies on it: If you’re running livestock, a mower may be non-negotiable.
Resale value holds: Many implements can be sold later with only moderate depreciation.
When to Rent (or Hire Custom Work)
Expensive, specialized equipment: Balers, seed drills, and large harvesters can cost tens of thousands. Renting saves capital.
Infrequent use: Plows may only be used once or twice a year. It's hard to justify owning.
You’re still learning: Renting gives you hands-on experience before committing to a purchase.
Other Options
Co-ops: Some communities share equipment among farmers, lowering costs.
Used Market: Farm auctions and online listings often have durable implements at a fraction of new prices.
Tips for New Farmers Choosing Implements
Start Small: Buy only what you know you’ll use regularly. Renting fills the gaps.
Think Tractor First: Choose implements that match your tractor’s horsepower and hitch system.
Prioritize Versatility: A front-end loader or wagon can serve dozens of purposes.
Ask Neighbors: Experienced farmers are often willing to share advice or even lend equipment.
Plan Ahead: If you’ll expand into livestock or row crops later, consider what future equipment will be needed.
Some Final Thoughts
Farm implements are powerful tools that make farming more efficient, but you don’t need to own every piece of equipment right away. Start with versatile implements you’ll use often, rent or borrow the rest, and grow your toolkit as your farm grows.
With smart planning, you’ll save money, reduce stress, and make sure the equipment you do invest in works hard for your operation. Farming is already tough work; take a load off your mind and let your implements make it easier.
Joshua, his wife Jenn, and their dog Rooster, live in PA. Joshua is the owner and operator of Hoffman Appalachian Farm where they grow Certified Naturally Grown hops. Joshua has over twelve years of experience in growing crops, including growing in an organic system. In his spare time he enjoys trail running, backpacking, and cycling.
How Farmbrite Can Help
Farmbrite’s Equipment feature lets you track everything from tractors to implements, chainsaws, water tanks, you name it! A Farm Management App that's flexible enough to help you track anything and everything you use on your farm, from purchase to maintenance costs, repairs, and everything in between.
