Legal to Tow a Log Splitter?

[JB4310]

I had to move my log splitter about 5 miles to a friends house, this has a 1-7/8 trailer coupler and break away chains for towing but no lights at all, not even reflectors. This was day time though.

I called the local PD and they said it would not be allowed to tow and would have to be carried in the back of a truck, well I came up with this method which may be misuse of SMV placard but I wanted the attention it provided so no one rear ended me.

I did go slow and it towed nicely not bouncing around or anything. Forget about backing up though, to short and can't see it.

Do any of you tow these things?

Thanks, JB.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I don't know if its legal or not but I have seen them towed around where I live on numerous occasions...

 

[Tig]

I have. I put magnetic trailer lights on it. Rental place had no issues with sending it out with no lights.
In retrospect I think I was in the wrong. I'm not certain they are road worthy. They seem kind of narrow and top heavy.

 

[rus_geek]

In WI, lights are required. If you go with the SMV placard, you can't exceed 25mph.

In MN, lights aren't required if you can see the lights on the vehicle (unless towing at night).

Every state is different, in other words.

Either way, you can pick up a set of magnetic trailer lights from Harbor Freight for $30. Usually find them on sale for 15 or 20.

-rus-

 

[winston1]

I pull one in East Texas. Don't really know whether it is legal or not. I do know the tail lights on my pickup are very visible on each side of the splitter. It seems to me the DPS allow this, haven't ever heard of anyone getting a ticket. When I need to back up I disconnect and back by hand.

 

[brin]

I pull my splitter here in Georgia and I bought one of those bicycle - white rods with a flag on top it is about 4 ft. high and bolted it to the back of the splitter so it makes the end of the splitter visible to cars behind and I can then see it in my rear view mirror so I can back up if need be. It tows great ..no problem...and my truck lights are very visible as well.

 

[MossRoad]

Good question. I see contractors pulling cement mixers and air compressors fairly often that do not have lights. And the rental yards send them out here that way, too. I'll have to call the local County Police and ask.

 

[thatguy]

Good question. I see contractors pulling cement mixers and air compressors fairly often that do not have lights. And the rental yards send them out here that way, too. I'll have to call the local County Police and ask.

I have seen the same thing.. Even at interstate highway speeds..

Brian

 

[aczlan]

It is legal to tow a splitter, compressor, cement mixer, etc on the road in NY without a tag on it.
The NY DMV website says:

Section 156 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law defines a trailer as:

Any vehicle not propelled by its own power, drawn on the public highways by a motor vehicle as
defined in section one hundred twenty-five operated thereon, except motorcycle side cars, vehicles
being towed by a non-rigid support and vehicles designed and primarily used for other purposes and
only occasionally drawn by such a motor vehicle.

Based on this definition, the vehicles listed below do not have to be registered in New York State. This list is
not complete, but it does provide some examples of this type of vehicle.
These vehicles can not be used to carry anything other than the devices mounted on them. If a vehicle is
equipped with boxes or bins, and is used to carry tools and accessories, it is no longer exempt from
registration.
Because these vehicles do not operate under their own power, they never require a registration, but the
vehicle that tows them must be registered.

EXAMPLES OF TRAILER-TYPE VEHICLES THAT DO NOT HAVE TO BE REGISTERED

• Welding machine mounted on a chassis.
• Well drillers mounted on a chassis.
• Wood sawing outfit mounted on a chassis.
• Wood chipper mounted on a chassis.
• Tar kettle mounted on wheels.
• Electrical transformer mounted on wheels.
• Air compressor mounted on wheels.
• Water pump mounted on wheels.
• Pipe threading machine mounted on wheels.
• Concrete mixer mounted on wheels.
• Paint outfit (air compressor and tank) mounted on wheels.
• Insecticide spray outfit mounted on wheels.
• Portable sheep dipping vat mounted on wheels.
• Trailer used as an office on a job site.
• Trailer used for tools and equipment when equipped with shelves and bins, etc., on a job site (shelves and bins must be empty when towed on the road).
• Tow dolly.

Source: http://nysdmv.com/forms/mv274.pdf

 

[Travelover]

In Michigan, the rental yards send them out without lights all the time. As long as the tail lights on the towing vehicle are clear, I don't see a problem.

 

[sizzami]

I know the law in vemont is that you can tow any single purpose unsprung trailer except on the interstate. without registraion or inspection

 

[rus_geek]

Got me thinking about what I said about the WI law. I found this:

"(71) Trailer means a vehicle without motive power
designed for carrying property or passengers wholly on its own
structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, but does not
include a mobile home."

Since a log splitter isn't used for carrying anything, you could argue it isn't a trailer.

-rus-

 

[bota7800]

Another thing to check is the tires. Many are placarded "Not for Highway Use"

 

[DanD78]

I wouldn't worry about it and just tow it where you want. I tow mine all the time but never after dark and never on the interstate. If the police want to worry about towing a log splitter then they have too much time on thier hands.

Dan

 

[firefighter9208]

In Alabama you don't needs lights on a trailer if it is under 4' wide.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good question. I see contractors pulling cement mixers and air compressors fairly often that do not have lights. And the rental yards send them out here that way, too. I'll have to call the local County Police and ask.

I go to the Bengals Steelers game every year with a Indiana State Trooper. Last September we showed up to the game with our new hog roaster. 3 families went in on it. No lights or plate but it is in tip top shape being only 2 months old at that time equipped with a 2" ball and safety chains. He shook his head at us.


He said he lets it slide all the time but technically anything being towed must be registered, plated, have dot approved lights, ect. He specifically said he sees it all the time with log splitters, cement mixers, air compressors, generators, even small utility trailers. He said he only pulls over idiots and lets it go if he can still see the tow vehicles plate, brake lights, and the rig looks like its in good shape and they are obeying all the other driving laws.


He said the same thing that the exception is the 25mph rule with a SMV on secondary roads.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Another thing to check is the tires. Many are placarded "Not for Highway Use"

This is 100% correct and looking at the splitter in question it does not appear to have high speed bearings either.

Chris

 

[NIdaho]

I personally won't tow mine because as DP stated the tires are not rated for highway use (higher speeds) and the bearings are not designed. I just put down a couple of ramps and roll it into the trailer and strap it down (looks kind of silly if that is the only thing on the trailer, which it is if I am taking it to my brother's place or my folk's)

I do know a guy that rebuilt his splitter -- longer tongue, different hubs (bearings), tires and wheels, and added fenders and lights. (he is retired and likes "projects"
out in the shop during the winter).

 

[MikeD74T]

A little research indicates nothing's free in CT. Wood splitter is a trailer & must have lights & approved tires for hiway operation. New Hampshire allows towing without registration of fixed purpose trailers (splitters, mixers, etc) in the owners home town, out of town needs registration. MikeD74T

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/pub/chap246.htm

Sec 14-1 Definitions:

(8) "Camp trailer" includes any trailer designed for living or sleeping purposes and used exclusively for camping or recreational purposes;

(9) "Camp trailer registration" means the type of registration issued to any trailer that is for nonbusiness use and is limited to camp trailers and utility trailers;

(53) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled or drawn by any nonmuscular power ?/FONT>

(93) "Trailer" means any rubber-tired vehicle without motive power drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle;
(98) "Utility trailer" means a trailer designed and used to transport personal property, materials or equipment, whether or not permanently affixed to the bed of the trailer, with a manufacturer's GVWR of ten thousand pounds or less;


Sec 14-12 (f) (3) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle, except a platform truck the motive power of which is electricity, or a tractor equipped with solid tires, if it is not equipped with lighting devices as prescribed by this chapter. The registration of any motor vehicle which is not equipped with such prescribed lighting devices is void and money paid for the registration shall be forfeited to the state. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent the commissioner, at his discretion, from registering a motor vehicle not equipped with certain lighting devices if the operation of the vehicle is restricted to daylight use.

Sec. 14-96c. Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate. (a) After October 1, 1967, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear,

Sec. 14-96e. Stop lamps. Turn signals. (a) Each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of section 14-96r

 

[DeNiro]

In North Carolina it is legal to pull any piece of equipment that is used for work off of the highway; welder, logspliter, hog cooker etc. and is not conveying cargo.
No title or license is required unless it is hauling cargo. Example: the pig cooker can not have a pig on the spit or charcoal in the bay or it is considered hauling cargo and must be titled and licensed. This is what the DVM told me when I ask about my pig cooker.
It would take a pretty odd cop to ticket for such a thing.
In North Carolina it is pretty common to see a trailer with no tag and it is not enforced unless there is a wreck or very large abuse like overload or dangerous equipment.