Dozer Advice

[AlanB]

Tn says
Exemptions
1. Farmers or Nurserymen transporting agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm or nursery, as long as the vehicle is operated within 150 miles of the farm or nursery, and is not used as a common or contract motor carrier.

Your state may vary, might check your drivers license office or online for your state.

 

[Sota]

Thanks Alan,

I called the legal department in our state and talked with an officer, who said I would be legal and require no cdl if I was transporting between my tracts of timber.

Best regards,

Sota

 

[DirtyWorks]

hey Sota, My .02 cents, If you are talking about loading on a trailer just to cross a paved road that is a bit extreme. What we do a little south of you is to cut the tread off of big truck tires with a saw so you got 2 sides. We lay enough of these to track on and a few more on the road. We always cross with a guy wearing a vest watching traffic. his job is also to move the tire halves from the back to the front until the machine is across Thi works well for any steel track. BTW the tire halves stack easily on out trailer and when placed over orange cones helps to keep them stable in the wind from other passing big rigs at the site!

 

[Builder]

Time out folks:

You are NOT, I repeat NOT required to have a CDL to tow over 10,000 pounds! This must be the biggest urban myth I read on the internet! You only need a CDL tow tow over 10,000 lbs if the combination of vehicles is in excess of 26,001 lbs!

Here's the rule straight from my PA DOT book:

A CDL IS required for a combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs or more provided the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

So that means if the combination truck & trailer is less than 26,001lbs, you CAN tow a trailer in excess of 10,000 pounds!

I think CA & NY may have more stringent laws, but that's the law in PA.

 

[Sota]

Thanks for the advice guys. Nice tip dirtyworks thanks a bushel!!


Best regards,

Sota

 

[wrangler6831]

"but that's the law in PA."

Here in WV if the trailer is capable of hauling 10,000lbs or more you must have a CDL. The DOT boys were quick to point that out to a friend and glad to take his $300.00 for the fine. The trailer was empty, but capable of carrying the weight. It took 2 of them to decide that.

 

[EddieWalker]

wrangler,

Good point. Make sure you know the law in your state. It doesn't matter what we all say, it's only the law where you live that matters.

Eddie

 

[BarryinMN]

2 Years ago when MN started enforcing the commercial use over 10K trailer CDL, there were a number of landscapers & contractors pulled over fined & some red tagged until a CDL driver was found to move the rig. If not moved, then the whole thing was towed & impounded.

 

[Builder]

"but that's the law in PA."

Here in WV if the trailer is capable of hauling 10,000lbs or more you must have a CDL. The DOT boys were quick to point that out to a friend and glad to take his $300.00 for the fine. The trailer was empty, but capable of carrying the weight. It took 2 of them to decide that.

Much to my surprise, some cops think that's the law here in PA, too. Many cops think things that are illegal are actually perfectly legal.

The best way to find out is take a quick trip down to your local driver's license center and ask for a CDL/motor vehicle carriers book. It's worth its' weight in gold. If anything, do it so you can learn how to properly secure cargo on your truck. Carry it with you so when you get pulled over, you can know the law and your rights.

Don't trust everything the cops say. Motor vehicle enforcement police are simply a revenue generating center. They're out there to ticket people to make money for the state. You'll be surprised at how police will ticket you for doing something they say is "wrong", when in fact, they're wrong.

I got my class A CDL to avoid all the hassles. Best time & money I spent.

 

[George2615]

Builder's statement yesterday is correct for NY too. CDL needed here only if combination weight is over 26,001#. It doesn't really matter to me since I have a CDL anyway. But if you are under 26,001# no CDL required in NY.