License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers??

   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #1  

ctc1111

Silver Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
175
Location
MA
Tractor
Kubota M7040
Hey, I've noticed on every piece of equipment I see driving on the road from large wheel loaders, to skid steers, to large tractors have license plates on them. Some are the blue state official plates but I've seen many commerical or even normal plates like one would have on a car on the back of this equipment.

Whenever I would drive my tractor down the street, on the side of the road, with my flashers on to go clear some snow at my uncles company down the road our problematic neighbor across the street would call the cops and they'd come down and tell me to get off the road. And the neighbor being friends with every cop in town dosen't help either. I called the police station to ask about the laws and they just told me its illigal. And I'm not sure if this is true or not. I find they tell me stuff that I don't think is true sometimes, like when I had my band over for a practice the neighbor complained and the police showed up so I answered the door and asked if there was anything I could help them with being very polite so they told me that if they herd another noise they were going to come inside and take all our stuff that was making noise and then arrest us all for "disorderly persons". If I remember correctly thats not legal lol especially becuase it was 2 in the afternoon on a saturday and I was very polite to them and had no attitude with them or anything.

Becuase of this I'm wondering if a tractor such as a Kubota L3430HSTC cab model could be registered to the road like all the skid steers and larger tractors I see are.

Is this something that people do to tractors like this??

Its not a rual area, its zoned commercial but is just on the edge of a somewhat upscale downtown area.

I appriciate any help on this! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif thanks
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #2  
depends on your state i guess. here, our tractors are registered as farm tractors, they get none expiring tags, and are insured with plpd for road travel

our backhoe has GT plates (general truck/tractor), and is insured plpd for road travel only

there should be some way to register your tractor, if you plan to travel on the road. the local dot should be able to tell you
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers??
  • Thread Starter
#3  
THANKS FOR THE HELP! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers??
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Does anyone know if I would need a special drivers license in MA to drive it if it was regestered??

If noone knows what its like in mass, whats it like in other states??
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #5  
I used to be from Mass. I am sure that youd have to have some sort of proof odf insurance in that state.
Im also sure they have some sort of Farm or AG plate you could get.
Here is the link to the registery site.You could also look around for some-one who has a tractor registered and ask them . I dont hink many local cops would know the law, so you need to do a bit of research.I have a friend who does construction in Mass and he has an Owner Repair plate , and insurance, and can attach it to any of his equipment.
Sounds as tho your neighbor has it in for you.I have no idea about the noice situation, but when they tell you its the law, just ask them specifically what statue they are quoting.
Good Luck
Al
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #6  
When I was stopped in town for speeding in my car last Friday I asked the police the same question about tractor plates. You need over the road plates of some type or you are illegal. In a small town where no one hates me yet I could get by with a wink and a nod but if I did some damage it might get a bit sticky.
I see commercial backhoes on the road occasionally and there is not always a plate displayed so they get away with it.
All in all it's not good to piss off the police. Eventually you have to leave your property and they can make life suck. Your always better off being nice.

All the best,
Martin
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #7  
Do a search for "Implement of Husbandry" Every state is different. I did look up Mass and it looks like they are pretty strict.

Here is a link to a pdf file but I recomend you do some searching.

Farmer

In Minnesota we pretty much have to do nothing but have a SMV on the back.

murph
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #8  
I looked into this last year and, as I remember it, concluded that in Massachusetts, if you were using your tractor for agricultural purposes, you do not have to be registered in order to use on the side of a public way for some limited distance so long as you had appropriate lights and signage. I think it was 1/4 mile or so. A search on "registration" or some similar term will probably turn up the previous threads on this.
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #9  
Wow.. glad I don't live in the people's republic of MA... Down here in horse country florida.. you get on your tractor and drive down the street. No interstate travel.. but highway driving is fine with plaques and lamps... I do it every month.

There is a milage limit.. but I believe that is due to the off road diesel... Since I pass a gas station anyway.. i just fill up with clear diesel as it is..

Soundguy
 
   / License plates on tractors, loaders, skid steers?? #10  
Can't comment on MA, but in NH you need plates. Costs me $10 a year plus insurance which I already carry. I don't go on the road two often but once a year I seem to take a 3 mile trip through town. The police don't seem to bat an eye.
 

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