Rules for roadway use

[4570Man]

Well, you could have done a lot of things better to make it safer especially on a busy roadway for starters. If you’re already into that situation at least ease into the middle of the road and travel the last 50 yards like that so passing is impossible. You’re a lot less likely to get hit slowly easing into that lane vs a abrupt 90.

 

[Tx Jim]

A few years back there was a change in our laws concerning passing slow vehicles. You can NOT pass farm equipment that is wearing a SMV sign in a 2 lane no-passing zone.

Really my tractor/rd baler with SMV displayed & with my pickup following ALL with left hand turn signals flashing have been passed twice lately on a curve with a ""double yellow strip"" while we were attempting to turn left in a driveway. Everyone one is in a HURRY to DIE I guess!

 

[radioman]

from my understanding as well is that here in nys with smv sign speed limit is 40mph or under.

 

[Alan W.]

Around here there are none. Im sure there are laws in effect but there is no enforcement.
Most equipment have no SMV placards, lights if they work at all are not used, most wagons weave in and out of the lane and will be overloaded. Loads are never secured. During hay season there are round bales in the curves that have fell off.
As a former cdl driver and construction company owner I am at a loss as to why farmers are exempt from licensing and safety requirements that other businesses are required to do.

 

[ruffdog]

from my understanding as well is that here in nys with smv sign speed limit is 40mph or under.

Nation wide it means 25mph or less but each state may tweek the law. New York is at 25mph or less when using a SMV sign.

NASD - Safety Means SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle)

Agriculture News

 

[LouNY]

Nation wide it means 25mph or less but each state may tweek the law. New York is at 25mph or less when using a SMV sign.

NASD - Safety Means SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle)

Agriculture News

The above links are old and outdated;
the max speed has been changed to under 40 mph and another sign is now required in addition to the smv,
however it is difficult to find out what is required.

 

[ruffdog]

NY just passed a new law that ups the speed limit to 35mph from 25mph and will take effect this Spring. As of 2018, it was still 25mph limit though. Iowa also upped their speed limit to 35mph.

New law boosts top speed for slow-moving vehicles to 35 mph

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I had a lady in a BMW pass me on the left shoulder doing what had to be 70MPH+ in a 55MPH zone while I was making a left turn with the tractor.
She had 2 wheels on the pavement and two in the gravel. I suspect that she didn't pay attention to the turn signals on the tractor...

Aaron Z

BMW drivers are not obligated to follow traffic laws.

Ok, it's a joke...

 

[Tx Jim]

BMW drivers are not obligated to follow traffic laws.

Ok, it's a joke...

Or Escalade drivers evidently

 

[ruffdog]

One more thing about the SMV signs, the standards for the sign itself have been updated over the years. Lately, the reflective quality must pass these standards. Many of the cheap SMV signs did not pass the standards adopted by my state. I see also that NY is adopting those same standards 6/26/19. Those old signs that are faded and not reflective are not safe per this standard.

 

[ultrarunner]

Do most here carry insurance to be covered when on public roads?

Not being a farmer and more of a collector it was not as simple as just adding it to Farm policy...

But, I do use the antique cars and tractors for parades... which are always on public streets... mostly closed for the parade but a child could dart out and a mechanical problem where the property or public could be injured...

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^
As I've mentioned in the past my tractor is on the same commercial policy as my pickup, so I have 500K liability. To be truly legal on the road though I would have to put a tractor plate on it.
There was a case a few years ago in a parade where the exact thing you mention happened; the brakes failed on an antique fire engine, resulting in a collision with a JD tractor and the death of the tractor operator. Report: Antique firetruck had insufficient brake fluid, leading to fatal July Fourth parade collision — Bangor — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine

Call me paranoid but I also carry the highest coverage that Progressive will give me on my ATV and snowsled; I'm always in the road running back and forth between my house and the field where my garden and animals are.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... it might be one in a million but just my luck it could happen...

Even the cars I don't drive and are registered Non-Op are still insured through the antique policy for peace of mind.

 

[Jstpssng]

My brother's college roommate had a motorcycle without insurance... how much damage can you do with a bike, right? He T-boned a Corvette, and had to drop out of school to pay for the damages.

 

[fruitcakesa]

My brother's college roommate had a motorcycle without insurance... how much damage can you do with a bike, right? He T-boned a Corvette, and had to drop out of school to pay for the damages.

At least he survived to pay

 

[Dr_Zinj]

If it has lights (headlights, tail, brake, and turn lights) plus horn and SMV sign, it痴 legal on the road.
Every state I have lived in did have a law requiring any vehicle holding up 5 or more cars to pull over and let them pass when possible.

I don't know of any state that allows them on a limited access, or multi-lane highway. Two lane roads moving between fields or farms, not a problem, as long as the fore-mentioned lights and signage are there.

I do know of a mentally handicapped neighbor who has a 25/30 hp NH that he uses to drive around town that some friends helped set him up with license plate and all. Just has to get it inspected yearly like a regular car.

 

[aczlan]

I don't know of any state that allows them on a limited access, or multi-lane highway. Two lane roads moving between fields or farms, not a problem, as long as the fore-mentioned lights and signage are there.

I do know of a mentally handicapped neighbor who has a 25/30 hp NH that he uses to drive around town that some friends helped set him up with license plate and all. Just has to get it inspected yearly like a regular car.

There are some places (such as out West) where they put a highway through a farm or ranch on what was the only road through from point A to point B, there they will still run equipment down the road, but otherwise, you are correct.

Aaron Z

 

[AndyMA]

There are some places (such as out West) where they put a highway through a farm or ranch on what was the only road through from point A to point B, there they will still run equipment down the road, but otherwise, you are correct.

Aaron Z

In Conn where I live on other than limited access highways you can drive a tractor between your farms, to a fuel station & maintenance facility. In Massyou can't even cross the street with out plates, insurance & a license.

Andy