Augering a bin of grain means climbing in and out of that tractor cab dozens of times. Start it. Engage the PTO. Climb down. Check the auger. Climb back up. Adjust the throttle. Repeat for the next truck. By the end of a long harvest day, you’ve logged more steps on that ladder than on the field.
RcFarmArm cuts all of that out. It is a wireless tractor control system that gives you full command of your tractor’s key functions from the ground, so stationary PTO work stops requiring a cab every five minutes.
What Is RcFarmArm?
RcFarmArm is a wireless tractor control system designed specifically for stationary PTO work. It physically overlays your tractor’s existing armrest controls and ignition key using two bolt-on modules. A handheld remote then lets you operate those controls from up to 100 metres (300 feet) away, while your feet stay on the ground.
The system was invented by Vincent Pawluski, a farmer from the Grande Prairie, Alberta area who was tired of climbing in and out of his tractor while augering and bagging grain. He designed a device that could manipulate the physical control surfaces the same way a human hand would, bypassing the tractor’s CAN bus entirely.
Because RcFarmArm operates mechanically rather than digitally, it does not connect to your tractor’s electronics or void your warranty. Installation involves no wiring and no modifications to existing hardware. Most models install in five to ten minutes using the tractor’s accessory power port.
The best part is RcFarmArm won the Emerging Innovator Award at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 2022 and has since become an Ag Innovations Award winner. It is available through Thunderstruck Ag and select dealerships across Canada.
What RcFarmArm Controls
The handheld remote gives you wireless access to the functions you actually need during stationary PTO tasks. Using two modules — one in the armrest, one on the ignition — the system controls:
- Engine start and stop
- PTO engagement and disengagement
- Engine throttle / RPM
- Two hydraulic functions (on/off)
- Six additional user-customizable functions
Six indicator lights on the remote give you a clear visual readout of which functions are active at any moment.
RcFarmArm does not put the tractor in gear and does not allow autonomous or driverless operation. It is a ground-level control tool for a tractor that stays in one place.
The Cool Down Timer
A newer addition to the RcFarmArm system, the Cool Down Timer (CDT), automatically idles the tractor down and runs through a proper engine shutdown sequence whenever you press PTO OFF. This means you can step away from the operation without manually returning to the cab to cool down and shut off the engine. For turbocharged tractors that require idle time before shutdown, this feature eliminates a step that farmers often skip at the end of a long day.
How Installation Works
Each RcFarmArm is built model-specific. That means the arm module is designed to fit the exact control surfaces of your tractor’s armrest, not a generic overlay that requires adjustment. The company uses 3D-printed components, scanning each tractor console to achieve proper fit.
Setup requires no wiring. You secure both modules to the cab, plug into the accessory power port, and follow the model-specific setup procedure outlined in your owner’s manual. Most models come pre-assembled. Video resources and documentation are available to walk through the process.
RcFarmArm also includes an internal battery. If the tractor loses 12-volt power during operation, the backup battery allows you to safely shut down all functions. Each unit ships with two handheld remotes.
When you upgrade or trade a tractor, the RcFarmArm can be removed and reinstalled. Since each arm is tractor-specific, switching to a different model may require a new or modified unit. The company continues to develop models based on customer demand. When five or more customers request the same tractor model, development begins.
Where Farmers Use RcFarmArm
RcFarmArm is designed for any stationary PTO task where you would otherwise be climbing in and out of the cab repeatedly. The most common applications are grain unloading, augering, and bagging.
Grain Unloading and Auger Operation
Auger season drives more cab-in-cab-out cycles than almost any other job on the farm. You need to start the tractor, engage the PTO, manage RPM as loads change, and shut everything down when the bin or truck is full — often with grain still moving.
With RcFarmArm, you can run the entire auger cycle from the ground. Start the engine, bring up the RPM, engage the PTO, monitor the fill, and cut power when done. No cab entry required. Farmers using RcFarmArm during truck unloading at harvest have reported that the job becomes significantly faster and easier, with no lost time between loads.
Grain Bagging
Grain bagging is a natural fit for RcFarmArm because the tractor is stationary, but the job constantly demands small adjustments. Throttle changes, PTO control, and shutdown all happen from the machine side rather than the cab.
RcFarmArm also offers the RcFarmStr8, a companion GPS steering module designed specifically for bagger tractors. It maintains the bag heading automatically, preventing crooked bags and making extraction easier. The RcFarmStr8 uses its own RTK system, user interface screen, steering motor assembly, and angle sensor. It works as a standalone system or as an add-on to an existing RcFarmArm setup.
Extractors and Other Stationary PTO Work
Any stationary PTO operation is a candidate for RcFarmArm. Grain extractors, post-harvest cleanup operations, and other PTO-driven setups all benefit from the ability to control engine and PTO functions without re-entering the cab. If the tractor needs to stay in one place while a machine runs, RcFarmArm is built for that job.
How RcFarmArm Handles Safety
Wireless tractor control raises an obvious question: what stops something from engaging accidentally? RcFarmArm addresses this with several layers of built-in safety logic.
The system requires:
- The tractor to be in neutral with the park brake engaged before activation
- Two buttons pressed simultaneously to engage the PTO or start the engine — the buttons are positioned as far apart as possible on the remote, requiring two hands
- Operator-controlled activation at all times — there is no autonomous movement
- A dedicated E-stop button that safely halts all functions and shuts the tractor down in seconds
The remote also features six indicator lights so you always know which functions are running. The internal backup battery ensures shutdown control is available even in the event of a 12-volt power interruption.
RcFarmArm comes with a two-harvest-season warranty.
Who RcFarmArm Is Built For
RcFarmArm is most relevant for producers who regularly run augers, baggers, or extractors with a dedicated tractor — and who have felt the inefficiency of being the person who has to keep climbing in and out of the cab.
It is also a practical option for operations where labour is limited. If one person is managing grain movement across a yard, RcFarmArm removes the need to station a second person in the tractor cab. That person can monitor and control the tractor while staying on the ground and keeping an eye on what’s happening at the equipment level.
Older or less mobile operators have also pointed to RcFarmArm as a tool that lets them continue running their own equipment without depending on others to manage the cab.
RcFarmArm is not designed for field operations or moving the tractor across the yard. It is a stationary PTO tool. If you’re looking for something that controls a tractor while it’s driving, that is a different product with a different scope.
Pricing and Availability
RcFarmArm pricing varies by tractor model, with units ranging from $5,500 to $7,000 CAD. Since each unit is built for a specific tractor configuration, the price reflects the design and component requirements for your model.
The system ships within approximately two weeks of order placement, though high order volume or parts availability can affect timelines. Each unit includes two handheld remotes and an owner’s manual with model-specific setup instructions.
If your tractor model is not currently in the product lineup, you can submit a request at rcfarmarm.com or contact Thunderstruck Ag at 1-855-612-7006.