John Deere 3038E · FLAIL MOWERS
At 30 PTO hp the 3038E is exactly at the FM-78 hammer family’s minimum, while the FM-62 hammer family starts at 24. Both widths therefore pass only an initial power comparison. Cutting load, complete mower weight, optional rear SCVs and WoodMaxx’s explicit iMatch exclusion decide what still needs checking.
By Acreage Equipment · Reviewed November 7, 2026 · Specification research, not a field test
PUT THIS GUIDE TO WORK
See published mismatches and the checks still needed.
BEST MATCHES FOR THE 3038E
19 of 23 flail mowers we track pass the published power, hitch and speed screen. Each still has a detail to confirm with the seller.
Flail mowerWoodMaxx
55″ cutting width, inches · 24–45 PTO hp · Hammer blades only
Resolve the conflicting published specifications for the exact model revision.
Flail mowerWoodMaxx
55″ cutting width, inches · 24–45 PTO hp · Hammer blades only
Confirm rear remotes, hydraulic flow and pressure requirements.
Flail mowerWoodMaxx
70″ cutting width, inches · 30–65 PTO hp · Hammer blades only
Resolve the conflicting published specifications for the exact model revision.
Flail mowerWoodMaxx
70″ cutting width, inches · 30–65 PTO hp · Hammer blades only
Confirm rear remotes, hydraulic flow and pressure requirements.
Flail mowerFarmry
87″ cutting width · 30–85 HP (basis not stated) · official page and manual
Ask the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power.
Flail mowerFarmer-Helper
37″ cutting width, inches · 15–45 PTO hp on the product page; manual lists the 15-PTO-hp minimum and a 45-hp gearbox
Confirm the conflicting tractor specifications in your serial-specific manual; official source values differ.
13 more possible options in the full comparison table.
THE DECISION IN NUMBERS
Hammer models only. Margin means arithmetic above the published minimum, not measured performance reserve. Weights are current-manual product weights with operating inclusions unresolved.
Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens.
| Mower | Published PTO band / margin above minimum | Cut / manual product weight | Offset interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| FM-62 hammer | 24–45 hp / 6 hp | 55 in / 774 lb | Fixed; no rear remote for adjustment |
| FM-62H hammer | 24–45 hp / 6 hp | 55 in / 860 lb | Hydraulic; rear remotes required |
| FM-78 hammer | 30–65 hp / 0 hp | 70 in / 880 lb | Fixed; no rear remote for adjustment |
| FM-78H hammer | 30–65 hp / 0 hp | 70 in / 968 lb | Hydraulic; rear remotes required |
The 70-inch FM-78 hammer models include 30 PTO hp exactly at their minimum. The 55-inch FM-62 hammer models leave a 6 hp arithmetic gap above their 24 hp minimum. Neither number is a measured reserve for heavy growth, slope or travel speed. Match the intended material and cutting width with manufacturer guidance; do not describe the wider model as equally productive simply because its range includes 30.
Deere’s current web component shows a rear-SCV count of 2 without saying whether it is standard. The official May 2026 specification book places the dual rear SCV kit under field conversion for MY23 and newer 3E tractors. Inspect the actual tractor. Fixed FM-62/FM-78 require no rear hydraulic connection for offset adjustment; their H counterparts do, with required flow and pressure still unverified.
The 3038E is Category 1 and can be equipped with iMatch, but the fixed FM-62 and FM-78 product pages specifically exclude John Deere iMatch from their quick-hitch wording. Confirm an approved connection method for the exact mower; do not infer compatibility from Category 1 alone or transfer one variant’s hitch statement to another.
The manual lists FM-62H at 86 lb above fixed FM-62 and FM-78H at 88 lb above fixed FM-78. Those differences share one manual basis, but all four operating weights remain unresolved because page weights differ. The tractor’s linked-brochure 1,356 lb at-24-inch figure is also revision-qualified. Obtain complete mower mass, load center and ballast requirements rather than subtracting catalog weights to claim a safe allowance.
Farmry rates the HFS87 at 30–85 hp without saying whether that is PTO or engine power, lists Category I and II, cuts 87 inches and weighs 1,299 lb with the shaft. The John Deere 3038E’s 30 PTO hp and 37 engine hp are both inside that range, though PTO power is only 0 hp above the minimum. Its published lift at 24 inches, 1,356 lb, is only 57 lb more than the mower’s weight, so weigh the complete mower and check ballast first. Its gearbox rating, 50 hp, is not below this tractor’s PTO power. The 87-inch cut is 3 inches wider than Land Pride’s FM2584. Farmry’s page listed it at $4,499 on November 14, 2026.
Farmer-Helper rates its standard-duty FH-EF mowers by PTO power, all to 45 PTO hp with a 45-hp gearbox: the EF95 (37-inch cut) from 15, the EF105 (41-inch) from 16 and the EF125 (48-inch) from 20. They carry Y-blades for grass and light brush. The John Deere 3038E’s 30 PTO hp is inside all three. Its published lift at 24 inches, 1,356 lb, carries even the 390-lb EF125 with 966 lb to spare. Betstco listed them at $1,462, $1,547 and $1,632 on November 14, 2026, with the PTO shaft included.
THE SCREEN, WITH ITS LIMITS VISIBLE
No pairing below is manufacturer-confirmed. “Preliminary” still requires implement limits, load center, ballast, hitch geometry and shaft checks.
Initial specification screen only. Scroll the table on small screens. Read the product page for every remaining check.
| Attachment | Hydrostatic · 2 ranges · 4WD · open station/ROPS30 PTO hp |
|---|---|
| Farmry LFS45 →355 lb · Net weight WITH PTO shaft, current LFS manual Rev 1.7 p18 | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| Farmry LFS53 →395 lb · Net weight WITH PTO shaft, current LFS manual Rev 1.7 p18 | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| Farmry LFS61 →421 lb · Net weight WITH PTO shaft, current LFS manual Rev 1.7 p18 | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| TMG Industrial TMG-TFM60 →650 lb · Product-page operation weight; manual gives conflicting 270 kg (about 595 lb) | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| Farmry LFP47 →464 lb · 464 lb including PTO shaft on the product page; current Rev 1.3 manual lists 210 kg / 463.7 lb. Shipping weight is a separate 671 lb. | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| TMG Industrial TFMS50 →660 lb · Product-page operation weight: 660 lb. Manual structure weight: 300 kg (about 661 lb); shaft and fluid inclusion are not explicit. Shipping weight: 770 lb. | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| WoodMaxx FM-54 · Y-blades →408 lb · Current 2025-and-newer manual p40 lists 408 lb product weight without stating shaft inclusion. Page instead says 410 lb mower-only plus a 39 lb shaft. Do not treat 408 lb as a verified complete operating assembly; confirm delivered Y-blade weight. Shipping page figure is 500 lb. | Published mismatch30 PTO hp exceeds the published 25 hp range. |
| WoodMaxx FM-62H · Hammer blades →860 lb · Current 2025-and-newer manual, printed p40 / PDF p41: 860 lb product weight; shaft/oil/packaging inclusion is unstated. Page instead lists 716 lb mower-only plus a 39 lb shaft. Shipping is separately labeled 860 lb. Do not treat the manual number as verified complete operating weight; confirm delivered hammer assembly. | Needs specification reviewConfirm rear remotes, hydraulic flow and pressure requirements. |
| WoodMaxx FM-78H · Hammer blades →968 lb · Current 2025-and-newer manual, printed p40 / PDF p41: 968 lb product weight; shaft/oil/packaging inclusion is unstated. Page instead lists 804 lb mower-only plus a 39 lb shaft. Shipping is separately labeled 1000 lb. Do not treat the manual number as verified complete operating weight; confirm delivered hammer assembly. | Needs specification reviewConfirm rear remotes, hydraulic flow and pressure requirements. |
| WoodMaxx FM-62 · Hammer blades →774 lb · Current 2025-and-newer manual printed p40 / PDF p41 lists 774 lb product weight without shaft/oil/packaging inclusion. Page lists 641 lb mower-only plus a 39 lb shaft; shipping is separately labeled 800 lb. Retain these distinct bases and confirm complete operating weight for the delivered hammer assembly. | Needs specification reviewResolve the conflicting published specifications for the exact model revision. |
| WoodMaxx FM-78 · Hammer blades →880 lb · Current 2025-and-newer manual printed p40 / PDF p41 lists 880 lb product weight without shaft/oil/packaging inclusion. Page lists 710 lb mower-only plus a 39 lb shaft; shipping is separately labeled 900 lb. Retain these distinct bases and confirm complete operating weight for the delivered hammer assembly. | Needs specification reviewResolve the conflicting published specifications for the exact model revision. |
| Farmer-Helper FH-EFGC125 · Hammer blades →Operating weight unconfirmed · Complete operating weight is unverified. Current page: 576 lb “Weight” and 624 lb “Crated Weight.” Linked Rev 12-12-17 manual p23: 600 lb “Weight” and 635 lb crated. Product-weight shaft/oil/assembly inclusions are unstated. Keep these separate; do not use crate weight or silently choose one product figure as an operating load. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the complete operating weight; a shipping weight cannot establish the attachment load. |
| Farmer-Helper FH-EFGC155 · Hammer blades →Operating weight unconfirmed · Complete operating weight is unverified. Current page: 741 lb “Weight” and 789 lb “Crated Weight.” Linked Rev 12-12-17 manual p23: 720 lb “Weight” and 755 lb crated. Product-weight shaft/oil/assembly inclusions are unstated. Keep these separate; do not use crate weight or silently choose one product figure as an operating load. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the complete operating weight; a shipping weight cannot establish the attachment load. |
| WoodMaxx FM-62 · Y-blades →Operating weight unconfirmed · Complete Y-configuration operating weight is unverified. Current manual p40 gives 774 lb generic product weight without shaft/oil or blade-specific inclusion. Page gives 641 lb mower-only plus 39 lb shaft and separately 800 lb shipping. These bases conflict or lack scope; none substitutes for an assembled Y operating load. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the complete operating weight; a shipping weight cannot establish the attachment load. |
| WoodMaxx FM-78 · Y-blades →Operating weight unconfirmed · Complete Y-configuration operating weight is unverified. Current manual p40 gives 880 lb generic product weight without shaft/oil or blade-specific inclusion. Page gives 710 lb mower-only plus 39 lb shaft and separately 900 lb shipping. These bases conflict or lack scope; none substitutes for an assembled Y operating load. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the complete operating weight; a shipping weight cannot establish the attachment load. |
| Land Pride FM2560 · hammer rotor →Operating weight unconfirmed · Manual p39 specifies 965 lb for the standard unit with a duckfoot rotor; the brochure lists 929 lb without a rotor/inclusion basis. The separate hammer-rotor assembly is 222 lb. No complete hammer operating mass or shipping mass is established. Do not add the rotor to an already rotor-inclusive unit weight or substitute these references for the operating load. | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| Land Pride FM2572 · hammer rotor →Operating weight unconfirmed · Manual p39 specifies 1,040 lb for the standard unit with a duckfoot rotor; the brochure lists 1,040 lb without a rotor/inclusion basis. The separate hammer-rotor assembly is 261 lb. No complete hammer operating mass or shipping mass is established. Do not add the rotor to an already rotor-inclusive unit weight or substitute these references for the operating load. | Published mismatchBoth engine (37) and PTO (30) horsepower are below the published 42 hp minimum. |
| Land Pride FM2584 · hammer rotor →Operating weight unconfirmed · Manual p39 specifies 1,236 lb for the standard unit with a duckfoot rotor; the brochure lists 1,168 lb without a rotor/inclusion basis. The separate hammer-rotor assembly is 301 lb. No complete hammer operating mass or shipping mass is established. Do not add the rotor to an already rotor-inclusive unit weight or substitute these references for the operating load. | Published mismatchBoth engine (37) and PTO (30) horsepower are below the published 49 hp minimum. |
| Blue Diamond Heavy Duty 403740 →1763 lb · 1,763 lb (800 kg) in the Aug-2025 spec sheet (without PTO) and the Feb-2026 manual p49. Add the PTO shaft for the operating load. | Published mismatchBoth engine (37) and PTO (30) horsepower are below the published 75 hp minimum. |
| Farmry HFS87 →1299 lb · 1,299 lb (589 kg) including PTO shaft on the product page and in the HFS manual Rev 1.6, printed p17. | Needs specification reviewAsk the manufacturer whether the horsepower range means engine or PTO power. |
| Farmer-Helper FH-EF95 →330 lb · 330 lb retained, the heavier of the product page (325 lb) and the FH-EF manual p13 (330 lb); crated 360 lb. Neither says whether the included PTO shaft is counted. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the conflicting tractor specifications in your serial-specific manual; official source values differ. |
| Farmer-Helper FH-EF105 →347 lb · 347 lb retained, the heavier of the product page (342 lb) and the FH-EF manual p13 (347 lb); crated 377 lb. Neither says whether the included PTO shaft is counted. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the conflicting tractor specifications in your serial-specific manual; official source values differ. |
| Farmer-Helper FH-EF125 →390 lb · 390 lb retained, the heavier of the product page (390 lb) and the FH-EF manual p13 (383 lb); crated 438 lb. Neither says whether the included PTO shaft is counted. | Needs specification reviewConfirm the conflicting tractor specifications in your serial-specific manual; official source values differ. |
Which fixed hammer flail makes sense: the 55-inch FM-62 or 70-inch FM-78?
Read the guide →FIELD GUIDETake the complete setup, not just a horsepower number, to the manufacturer.
Read the guide →FOLLOW THE NUMBERS
Research record reviewed November 7, 2026. Confirm the current manual and the exact revision supplied with your machine.