Operating your tractor on public road right of way

   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #21  
I called the Ohio State Patrol about this a few years ago. If you are on any road in the state of Ohio (except an interstate) and you have a SMV sign on the back of the tractor the tractor has the right-of-way regardless. Bump a tractor with a SMV sign and the person doing the bumping is at fault. The Ohio State Patrol told me not to push this advantage but they also said in tractor/ car accidents the tractor almost always wins.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #22  
kinda reminds me of marittime stuff. smalles engine / capability ship has ROW.. unless the other vehicle is military.. :)


soundguy
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #23  
It don't matter who's fault it was, if a fast moving car hits you sitting on your open station tractor -- it will be your surviving spouse's struggle to get the settlement.

Most rural areas the traffic is on the look out for tractors, harvesters, etc. It's the city folk that fly by at 65 on a 45 road and come up on you after blind corners that cause most of the problems.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #24  
It don't matter who's fault it was, if a fast moving car hits you sitting on your open station tractor -- it will be your surviving spouse's struggle to get the settlement.

Most rural areas the traffic is on the look out for tractors, harvesters, etc. It's the city folk that fly by at 65 on a 45 road and come up on you after blind corners that cause most of the problems.
Here in front of my house............it's 65 in a 25.

A guy died in my driveway a couple years ago.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #25  
Put up some portable signs when working on your roadside.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way
  • Thread Starter
#26  
I called the Ohio State Patrol about this a few years ago. If you are on any road in the state of Ohio (except an interstate) and you have a SMV sign on the back of the tractor the tractor has the right-of-way regardless. Bump a tractor with a SMV sign and the person doing the bumping is at fault. The Ohio State Patrol told me not to push this advantage but they also said in tractor/ car accidents the tractor almost always wins.

"The tractor almost always wins...."?

I am wondering if that means the tractor has the legal advantage in an accident OR the tractor operator will come out ahead in a collision with a car. Most likely, the former. My road sees a lot of 60 mph traffic as well as tandem gravel train semi's in the warmer months, I have no reason to use my tractor on the road except in the winter when I drive it down to clear snow for neighbors.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way
  • Thread Starter
#27  
It appears to me we are talking about two separate issues here.

1. Is it legal to operate your tractor on public ROW? In my state it is legal to use publc roads to move from one field to another. I am not aware of any limitation on distance. The gentleman who is renting some of our land drives his tractors several miles on public roads to get here. He uses big green ag tractors that move pretty fast on the road and he leaves them here for weeks at a time. He thinks it's quicker to drive than to load and unload.

2. If you and your tractor are involved in an accident on public ROW, who pays? This is why I have an inland marine policy covering my tractor and equipment in addition to my homeowner policy. I use my tractor and equipment in different locations.

You are correct, I started the thread and thought it should cover both issues as they are related.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #28  
Here in Michigan (at least in my Township) your property depth is measured from the centerline of the public road out front. My feelings are, since you are paying property taxes on an area INCLUSIVE of that public right of way, it should be considered a part of your property.

My insurance agent said they consider 16' from center as limit to liability.less not insured.
Crossing the road to other part of land just be fast and careful.

We pay taxes on everything. County and State consider it right to claim what they need to live the way they desire. For the people of course.
ken
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #29  
The variable not mentioned here is use of the tractor, we own a farm and here in Maine farm equipment is exempt from registration, I have farm liability which covers me anyway but private use of equipment on roadways requires registration and insurance. I agree you have the right to use the edge of the road or even road surface to turn and maintain your property, however once you travel off your property the rules change.
 
   / Operating your tractor on public road right of way #30  
"The tractor almost always wins...."?

I am wondering if that means the tractor has the legal advantage in an accident OR the tractor operator will come out ahead in a collision with a car. Most likely, the former. My road sees a lot of 60 mph traffic as well as tandem gravel train semi's in the warmer months, I have no reason to use my tractor on the road except in the winter when I drive it down to clear snow for neighbors.

Some of us have to make our living by driving a tractor on the road. And some of us don't.
 

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