txdon
Super Star Member
What is the safest way to drive a tractor on a 4 lane undivided highway where the speed limit is 70 MPH?
Does anyone do it?
Does anyone do it?
70 MPH and driving tractor
- Thread starter txdon
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blueriver
Super Member
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- JD 5520 Montana 4340 Farmall Super A Montana 5720C
Do 75MPH and pass them all!!!
No really, I have not done this, but would say, flashers, taillights, SMV sign and even perhaps a chase car with porper lights and flashers....I don't really know!
No really, I have not done this, but would say, flashers, taillights, SMV sign and even perhaps a chase car with porper lights and flashers....I don't really know!
ToadHill
Elite Member
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- Kioti DK35, Ford 8N, Oliver Cletrac
Check your state regs, in some states you can not drive farm vehicles on 4 lane highways unless you are working on the road.
Renovator
Bronze Member
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I live on abusy road and I drive on the shoulder. the cars can pass without slowig down.
Renovator
Renovator
js5020
Platinum Member
I personally would go out of my way to take a different route, you are risking your own safety and the safety of others. Check your regulations you are probably not allowed to be on that type of road. Even so not worth the risk in my opinion.
Double Orange
Platinum Member
txdon said:
With an up to date will!!
MrJimi
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
Highest gear, 2wheeldrive and make darn sure your tires are balanced very well.
Enjoy the ride
Jim
Enjoy the ride
Jim
Renze
Super Member
In Finland, there is a popular conversion of the Zetor/ZTS Crystal range of tractors:
This range is from 80 to 160 hp, with original rear tires from 18.4-34" to 20.8-38"
The gearing was adapted to the tire size, so if you bought a 45 km/h version with overdrive, off factory it would do 45 km/h no matter what tire size you ordered.
Many people put the gears of the 34" tired tractors into the 160 hp overdrive tractors, and changed the 38" to 20.8-42" tires. This resulted in a top speed of about 68 km/h
Seriously, most safe would be if the speed difference between tractor and the other traffic was minimised...
This range is from 80 to 160 hp, with original rear tires from 18.4-34" to 20.8-38"
The gearing was adapted to the tire size, so if you bought a 45 km/h version with overdrive, off factory it would do 45 km/h no matter what tire size you ordered.
Many people put the gears of the 34" tired tractors into the 160 hp overdrive tractors, and changed the 38" to 20.8-42" tires. This resulted in a top speed of about 68 km/h
Seriously, most safe would be if the speed difference between tractor and the other traffic was minimised...
OP
txdon
Super Star Member
MrJimi said:Highest gear, 2wheeldrive and make darn sure your tires are balanced very well.
Enjoy the ride
Jim
I don't believe it's possible to "enjoy" the ride when all the cars and trucks are going 60MPH FASTER.
The law does allow it with a SMV sign. (We also don't have to wear helmets on motorcycles in Texas!)There is no other route to take.
RoyJackson
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I'd trailer it, if possible. If this is a CUT, I'd definitely use a trailer. I take it this is your Kubota you'll be driving? That will fit on a trailer or even a bigger rollback truck.
If trailering isn't possible, I'd get magnetic strobe lights (on the ROPS) and wiretie them on.
I'd also want an escort vehicle.
Also, you might ant to consider doing this trip late at night...less traffic then, I should think.
If trailering isn't possible, I'd get magnetic strobe lights (on the ROPS) and wiretie them on.
I'd also want an escort vehicle.
Also, you might ant to consider doing this trip late at night...less traffic then, I should think.
crashz
Elite Member
Most highways with speed limits of 55 and over have a minimum speed limit, even if not posted. Therefore no pedestrians, horses, bicycles and any other slow moving objects are allowed.
I'd check with the state cops or DOT officers. Otherwise you may have a car with blue lights escorting you!
I'd check with the state cops or DOT officers. Otherwise you may have a car with blue lights escorting you!
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
Don, I've done it here on 290. Here are a few recommendations.
1)travel when traffic is very light (early morning or weekday)
2)Plenty of "neck-craning".
3)Slow down and pull over onto shoulder or into grass if heavy traffic approaches. This is the most important.
4)My opinion only, is I prefer to be willing to pull off the road rather than have a chase vehicle. I've done plenty of both and have had too many near misses that could have ended in tragedy for my chase driver being my "cushion or bumper".
5) I time it when I have to go over a bridge so that there isn't any foreseeable traffic.
Most of the time, if traffic is light, people will change to the inner lane ahead of time. I don't take anything for granted and constantly look behind ready to pull over.
This is not my favorite thing to do. But approached with caution and the willingness to GET OFF THE ASPHALT IF I HAVE TO, I feel it is OK.
1)travel when traffic is very light (early morning or weekday)
2)Plenty of "neck-craning".
3)Slow down and pull over onto shoulder or into grass if heavy traffic approaches. This is the most important.
4)My opinion only, is I prefer to be willing to pull off the road rather than have a chase vehicle. I've done plenty of both and have had too many near misses that could have ended in tragedy for my chase driver being my "cushion or bumper".
5) I time it when I have to go over a bridge so that there isn't any foreseeable traffic.
Most of the time, if traffic is light, people will change to the inner lane ahead of time. I don't take anything for granted and constantly look behind ready to pull over.
This is not my favorite thing to do. But approached with caution and the willingness to GET OFF THE ASPHALT IF I HAVE TO, I feel it is OK.
Racer71
Silver Member
I was driving down an interstate in Idaho evening when I came around the corner to find a combine.
Those get big in a hurry.
Those get big in a hurry.
tinkertoys
Bronze Member
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- Jul 24, 2007
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- 83
I have done it all over central Texas. It can get very hairy real fast, as stated before, lots of flashing lights and an escort vehicle behind you.
rpoage
Gold Member
I'm with Roy on this one. Trailer now, live longer. First thing you might check is if there is a minimum speed on the interstates in your state. This varies by state. In PA I think the Min speed is 40mph which is a whole lot faster that I want to go on a tractor.
OP
txdon
Super Star Member
Kyle thanks for the Hwy 290 experience account. While Hwy 21 does not have the traffic of 290 the speed limit is faster with no minimum speed limit. Also, unlike 290 there is no shoulder only a steep (roll-over ditch).
I'm also with Roy Jackson on this one, the trailer is the safest way to get to the property. Another problem is that this is not my tractor.
I'm also with Roy Jackson on this one, the trailer is the safest way to get to the property. Another problem is that this is not my tractor.
Rara Avis
Veteran Member
OP
txdon
Super Star Member
Logan said:
Actually a lot of farmers in this county drive on the highway. I worded the post neutral for all opinions and reasons why you feel this way, and for the ones who do it, how they make it as safe as possible. I thank you for you thoughtful opinion. PaulChristenson's link is the only information I could find put out by an "official" agency.
If anyone hears of a tractor involved in an accident on a highway please post.
Thanks.
