A tufting machine comprising a yarn applicator adapted to receive feed yarn and penetrate a surface covering backing and a cutting means adapted to cut the feed yarn to produce a stitch. The tufting machine also comprises a yarn control module that includes a yarn feed wheel adapted to guide the feed yarn, an actuator adapted to move the yarn feed wheel between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a yarn feed gear adapted to engage the feed yarn when the actuator moves the yarn feed wheel into the engaged position. The tufting machine further comprises a power source adapted to move the yarn feed gear and a remote process control computer system adapted to send a first signal and a second signal to the yarn control module. The tufting machine produces a patterned surface covering having a plurality of yarn colors and a plurality of pile heights.