Driving across public ways

[Dougster]

I am certain that if you contact your local State Representative or Senator, he will be more than willing to sponsor a bill to allow what you want to do and to put a hefty fee along with it. They never give up an opportunity to help a citizen if there is more money for the state involved.

The fact is that despite my particular need, most individual (non-farmer/non-logger) owners of compact utility tractors would probably not want state registration as it would mean moving the tractors from the realm of personal property tax to the realm of state vehicle excise tax... that in addition to the registration fee, possible inspection fees and sales & use tax applied to all tractors, even those bought out of state and/or used from a private party. There would be other intrusive complications such as withholding registration from those owing money for parking tickets or divorced fathers owing child support, etc.

Let's remember that most private CUT owners are already flaunting (or are completely unaware of) the law in regard to operator licensing and probably operation on public roads as well. Nobody seems to care much except me because of my special situation.

Also remember that farm plates involve lowered costs and huge privileges for multiple vehicles and have significant potential for non-farm abuse. They are viewed as a very special privilege granted to those still farming in our small and increasingly urban state. I don't think the state legislature or RMV would look kindly on expanding anything even remotely similar to non-farmers.

Dougster

 

[AndyMA]

. Insurance is only assessed on the towing vehicle, but he would have to declare it to his insurance company anyway and get an insurance stamp for his registration application.
Dougster

When I registered a 10,000 lb GVW trailer in Mass, I had to pay an additional insurance premium.

As far as registering a tractor in Mass, it really isn't a big deal. Just register it with normal commercial plates. Get a certificate of origin, fill out the RMV-1, take it to your insurance company and get the insurance stamp. Those other catagories are all special cases. You've overlooked the standard one. I operated equipment in Mass for 30 years and was never asked for a Hoisting license. I think you are making a big deal out of nothing. I think you will find that you only need it if you are working on commercial jobs or jobs wher you are doing heavy lifting.

Andy

 

[Dougster]

When I registered a 10,000 lb GVW trailer in Mass, I had to pay an additional insurance premium. As far as registering a tractor in Mass, it really isn't a big deal. Just register it with normal commercial plates. Get a certificate of origin, fill out the RMV-1, take it to your insurance company and get the insurance stamp. Those other catagories are all special cases. You've overlooked the standard one. I operated equipment in Mass for 30 years and was never asked for a Hoisting license. I think you are making a big deal out of nothing. I think you will find that you only need it if you are working on commercial jobs or jobs wher you are doing heavy lifting. Andy

Hi Andy - Thanks for the reply but my experience doesn't seem to jive with yours for whatever reason. I should point out that I could have added additional fire, theft and collision coverage for the trailer, but I chose not to do so. Not sure how that would have been handled. For straight liability coverage (and being able to register it), it is piggybacked onto my pickup truck policy and cost me nothing extra. Believe me, in my situation I would have noticed! This might all change when I go to commercial plates for the pickup truck on January 2.

On the commercial plate for tractors thing, if you are right it's awfully funny that the RMV never offered me that option in the many times I've visted them. I've never seen a tractor here running commercial plates and I'm not sure how I would pass the state inspection, but I will visit the RMV again first thing in the morning and ask again. What have I got to lose?

You were clearly in the majority ignoring the operating license rules. Maybe they weren't even around 30 years ago. Or maybe you operated under the farm exemption? Call me anything you want for obeying that silly law... I'm clearly taking the minority position here. But at the end of the day I've got too much to lose. And to pay a ton of cash for liability insurance and then not to spend a few more bucks be properly licensed just didn't make any sense to me at all. Far too big a loophole for the insurance company to slip through in a pinch.

Dougster

 

[Dusty]

I have seen backhoes and loaders working on the highways, and they have a "construction" plate on them. I believe that they must be registered to be used on the roads in MA. Just one more way for the state to pick your pocket.

 

[Dougster]

I have seen backhoes and loaders working on the highways, and they have a "construction" plate on them. I believe that they must be registered to be used on the roads in MA. Just one more way for the state to pick your pocket.

Did they actually say "Construction"? Or was it "Owner/Operator"? Or were they town or state vehicles?

Here are the RMV rules in black & white: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21330.pdf

Dougster

 

[AndyMA]

Here are the RMV rules in black & white: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21330.pdf

Dougster

None of these plate types apply to your situation. I think perhaps you are asking the wrong questions. I suggest you just get an Certificate of Origin, Tax certificate, get it filled out by your insurance agent and register it.

Andy

 

[Dougster]

None of these plate types apply to your situation. I think perhaps you are asking the wrong questions. I suggest you just get an Certificate of Origin, Tax certificate, get it filled out by your insurance agent and register it. Andy

Hi Andy - I do appreciate your experience and your input, but the RMV gave me the same answer yesterday as they had given me time and time before. Unless I qualify as a farmer, logger, owner/operator or am applying for a town-owned vehicle, my tractor is not registerable in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts... period. They were crystal clear that they will not allow a Kubota-style compact utility tractor to register as a Commercial Vehicle here... period. I won't tell you what other impolite things they said.

Based on your experience and recommendation I went one step farther yesterday and contacted every compact tractor dealership within 50 miles to see if any of their customers had ever been able to register their tractor as a commercial vehicle. None had ever heard of such a thing.

I can't speak to the laws and rules that may have been in place 30 years ago, but right now it is just not allowed. Sorry.

Dougster

 

[wvpolekat]

Couple of things:

1) Your asking the wrong question(s). Here is what you do. Goto the RMV, with your MSO, insurance, note from mother, etc... Tell them you would like to register your "tractor","farm tractor" or "backhoe", do not say "compact" ,"ultility","mower","kubota", etc. Let them drive things, answer their questions honestly. If they come to the conclusion that you cannot register your tractor, you have a couple of choices 1) Ask them for that in writing, you tried, they cannot accomodate. Use that as your registration. 2) Go up the food chain and insist on someone letting you register your tractor. You are trying to play by the rules, however silly they may be. If they do not let you, IMO, that is a get out of jail free card.

If you do get a ticket, take your documentation to the judge to show that according to the RMV, your tractor does not require registration. It's all about intent. If you can show the judge that you were not ignorant of the law, took more than reasonable steps to adhere, he will toss it out more than likely.

2) MOVE, even if not out of PRT, it seems obvious to me that for whatever reason your "neighbors" are going to call the cops and report you if you drive down the road. Seems to me that nobody needs neighbors like that. Maybe it is just one neighbor you had a fude with.

 

[Dusty]

Did they actually say "Construction"? Or was it "Owner/Operator"? Or were they town or state vehicles?

Here are the RMV rules in black & white: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21330.pdf

Dougster

I vaguely remember it saying "Construction" on the plate. It was a large loader backhoe that they plowed the parking lot with. It was on the machine that the owner/operator got a ticket for when the local police stopped him from plowing a shopping center parking lot during a snow storm. They said it had to be registered, since the parking lot was considered public property since the public was invited to use it. When he went before the judge, the judge agreed with the police and he had to register it. It was already insured, and sales taxes paid, so all they got was the registration fee. Motor vehicle registration fees should actually be called taxes, because the state makes a profit on all fees paid. The figure that I was told, was that the state spent 10% of the fees to administer the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the other 90% went into the general fund. Charging $50 for a title is absurd!
Dusty

 

[Dougster]

I vaguely remember it saying "Construction" on the plate. It was a large loader backhoe that they plowed the parking lot with.

I've looked through the RMV's list of available registration & license plate types several times and it doesn't appear to include such a plate. Seems like it probably should, but it doesn't. Are you sure this took place in the PRT?

Regardless, you raise an interesting point about operation on private property to which the public has been granted free access. I always wondered if the cops could enforce traffic signs and motor vehicle laws on such property. From what you're saying, apparently they can.

I better be a little more careful next time at the Home Depot!!!

Dougster

 

[A. Lind]

I regulary drive down the road at work on a john deere, here in massachusetts. I have no worry about my tractor being unregistered.

Of course the fact that it belongs to the sheriff's dept. and I am working out of correctional facility and have a star on my shirt might give me some leeway!

 

[Dougster]

I regulary drive down the road at work on a john deere, here in massachusetts. I have no worry about my tractor being unregistered. Of course the fact that it belongs to the sheriff's dept. and I am working out of correctional facility and have a star on my shirt might give me some leeway!

It could make a slight difference... yes!

Dougster

 

[257NH]

Dougster go to the rmv again and get yourself an O R plate.
It means over the road

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Have you thought about registering it as an ATV?

“Recreation vehicle”, any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain if used for recreation or pleasure off a public way as defined in chapter ninety, and all legally registered motor vehicles when used off a way, as defined under chapter ninety; provided, however, that for the purpose of vehicles used for agriculture, forestry, lumbering or construction shall be excluded from this definition when used for such purpose, provided, further, that in any complaint brought under this chapter the burden shall be upon the defendant to prove of such use.

If you claim that you use your tractor for "recreation or pleasure" -- which is defensible, you're not making money with it -- it qualifies as an ATV.

You at least are allowed to cross public ways:

After coming to a full stop a snow vehicle or a recreation vehicle may cross, as directly as possible, a public way, except a controlled access highway, provided that such crossing can be made in a safe manner and it does not interfere with the free movement of vehicular traffic. The operator of a snow vehicle or a recreation vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to all other vehicular traffic when making such crossing.

 

[Dougster]

Have you thought about registering it as an ATV? If you claim that you use your tractor for "recreation or pleasure" -- which is defensible, you're not making money with it -- it qualifies as an ATV. You at least are allowed to cross public ways:

I've got to admire your sneaky and creative suggestion... an end run around the RMV by going to Fish & Game and the Environmental Police! If nothing else, it would be good for a few laughs. I'd have to wear a helmet at all times, give up any business ambitions (the whole point of me needing to use the road in the first place) and still could not drive down a road unless a town emergency was declared!

I love the creativity, but even if this worked, it is totally self-defeating. I am likely better off trying to invoke the "industrial use" of tractors provision which gets me a whopping 900 feet of road.

Anyone here currently wear a helmet when on their tractor?

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Dougster go to the rmv again and get yourself an O R plate.
It means over the road

Don't see such a thing here in the PRT, but thanks for trying!

Dougster

 

[257NH]

Dougster my brother has an excavation company in Mass,And I have seen his O R Plates.So they have them unless it has been fairly recently a cancelled service.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster my brother has an excavation company in Mass,And I have seen his O R Plates.So they have them unless it has been fairly recently a cancelled service.

Are you sure it's not an Owner/Contractor plate (which I had incorrectly referred to earlier as an "Owner/Operator" plate)?

Seems like this is what an excavating company with multiple pieces of equipment should have.

Dougster