Rules for roadway use

[1930]

Ill start out by saying I know practically nothing about tractors.

I see them on the road on occasion, just curious whats it take to legally drive one down the road and hold up all that traffic?

My wife asked me so I told her I would find out

 

[Bavarian]

Depending in which state you're in. Different states may have different rules with slow moving vehicles on public roads.
If third party insurance is required would be the next question.

 

[3Lfarms]

If it has lights (headlights, tail, brake, and turn lights) plus horn and SMV sign, it’s 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.

 

[Thomas]

Depends on what state,just about every state does have law smv sign law...common sense both operators makes it safer for everyone.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Ill start out by saying I know practically nothing about tractors.

I see them on the road on occasion, just curious whats it take to legally drive one down the road and hold up all that traffic?

My wife asked me so I told her I would find out

Never seen one hold up too much traffic.

 

[Jstpssng]

Never seen one hold up too much traffic.

Come up to Aroostook County during potato picking season. The harvesters are two lanes wide and can't really pull over.
Also DOT tractors aren't inclined to pull over when they have the chance, and can get quite a line of cars behind them.

Come to think of it, that last bit applies to DOT trucks a lot of the time. They aren't in any hurry to get anyplace and if you are behind them you better not be in a hurry either.

 

[/pine]

Ill start out by saying I know practically nothing about tractors.

I see them on the road on occasion, just curious whats it take to legally drive one down the road and hold up all that traffic?

My wife asked me so I told her I would find out

As said, each state may be different...typically during daylight hours (unless marked on primary roads) all that is required is an SMV sign...in a lot of states there are no age restrictions and do not require a drivers license for agriculture machines...

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Come up to Aroostook County during potato picking season. The harvesters are two lanes wide and can't really pull over.
Also DOT tractors aren't inclined to pull over when they have the chance, and can get quite a line of cars behind them.

Come to think of it, that last bit applies to DOT trucks a lot of the time. They aren't in any hurry to get anyplace and if you are behind them you better not be in a hurry either.

Sometimes it goes with the territory, we get combines here taking up 2 lanes, but it happens so seldom. I have no problem getting behind farm machinery on the road. They have every bit of right to use it.

 

[/pine]

Are you supposed to put however many gallons of ON-road diesel in the tank before driving on an improved road?...just curious...

 

[Jstpssng]

Sometimes it goes with the territory, we get combines here taking up 2 lanes, but it happens so seldom. I have no problem getting behind farm machinery on the road. They have every bit of right to use it.

Potato season is a big deal up there, they even start school two weeks early, then close down in September so that the students and faculty can work the harvest.
I don't think that somebody's complaints would be taken very seriously up there, either.

 

[searcyfarms]

first you need a cap, you also need jeans, proper attire is critical, maybe even some rubber chore boots, i think you are supposed to kick it into neutral and coast down all hills as fast as you can also

 

[ultrarunner]

Not sure if required but I also have insurance covering my tractor for personal use on and off property...

I specifically wanted to make sure there was coverage if I was using it on the road for things like 4th of July parade...

There is no coverage if I use it for hire or am reimbursed for using it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

In my county you are restricted to travel between two farm properties you own. Travel for commercial purpose other than farming is not allowed. Other than that it is trailer time. Its cheated on all the time. Like a sheriff deputy told me: Use good common sense, five miles would be frowned on or holding up long lines of traffic. Five miles at tractor speed, I might as well load it.

Ron

 

[1930]

In my county you are restricted to travel between two farm properties you own. Travel for commercial purpose other than farming is not allowed. Other than that it is trailer time. Its cheated on all the time. Like a sheriff deputy told me: Use good common sense, five miles would be frowned on or holding up long lines of traffic. Five miles at tractor speed, I might as well load it.

Ron

A good idea for a new thread but maybe Im the only one stupid enough

Quite a few years ago I was given a JD lawn tractor, they couldnt get it running, I did but had no way to get it home, I drove it home 18 miles( it ( it may have been 12...one of the 2 ) on the sidewalks, side of the roads, in the grass whatever it took.

Took me almost 5 hrs

Several cops passed me and when I saw them coming I dropped the deck and pretended to be mowing.

Good times :thumbsup:

 

[Tx Jim]

Are you supposed to put however many gallons of ON-road diesel in the tank before driving on an improved road?...just curious...

Since I began custom farming/baling in '87 I've driven several 1000 miles on public roads in Texas with off-road red dyed fuel with no problems.

 

[Tx Jim]

If it has lights (headlights, tail, brake, and turn lights) plus horn and SMV sign, it痴 legal on the road. .

Warning lights & slow moving vehicle(SMV) sign is all that's required in Texas. None of my tractors that I drive on public roads have brake(stop) lights

 

[square1]

Ill start out by saying I know practically nothing about tractors.

I see them on the road on occasion, just curious whats it take to legally drive one down the road and hold up all that traffic?

My wife asked me so I told her I would find out

Sounds like you have an uppity woman. Better get her in line pretty quick
Equipment and acreage are getting huge meaning more miles on the roads. I'm starting to think these changing conditions need to bring about some restrictions on time of day and road class similar to oversize truckloads.

 

[oosik]

Around here it's wheat - The Palouse. One must always be on guard when traveling the county roads in this area. USUALLY there will be a vehicle in the lead with lights flashing and some type of "wide vehicle" sign.

The tractor/cultivator or combine can take the entire road. I've always been able to find a pull-off or driveway to wait for their passing.

The tractor or combine will have its light flashing and traveling at VERY reduced speeds.

I've never, in my 38 years here, seen nor heard of this situation requiring any intervention from LEO.

Whether the tractor or combine is under their own power or on a trailer - the "unit" will still be just as wide.

However - I do wonder about the city folks, their uber fast BMW's and this exact situation. I guess it all works itself out - never seen an accident.

Either that or somewhere there are quite a few fast cars all balled up and in a big pile.

The young, slick city dude, his fast sports car, a vivacious blond - - see them on the county back roads very often. God must be very forgiving......

 

[LouNY]

In New York state during daylight hours no lights are required, a SMV sign is.
A drivers license is not required, under 16 years of age unless a child of the owner is not supposed to operate a tractor,
with a couple of exceptions if they have completed an approved safety course.

 

[repete]

When you get behind a row of pea harvesters on a narrow two lane road it can be a long drive. They seem to travel in packs. They go about 2 mph tops and I followed a row of them along a two mile winding river road one AFTERNOON.