70 MPH and driving tractor

[RoyJackson]

I'd trailer it, if possible. If this is a CUT, I'd definitely use a trailer. I take it this is your Kubota you'll be driving? That will fit on a trailer or even a bigger rollback truck.

If trailering isn't possible, I'd get magnetic strobe lights (on the ROPS) and wiretie them on.
I'd also want an escort vehicle.
Also, you might ant to consider doing this trip late at night...less traffic then, I should think.

 

[crashz]

Most highways with speed limits of 55 and over have a minimum speed limit, even if not posted. Therefore no pedestrians, horses, bicycles and any other slow moving objects are allowed.

I'd check with the state cops or DOT officers. Otherwise you may have a car with blue lights escorting you!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Don, I've done it here on 290. Here are a few recommendations.

1)travel when traffic is very light (early morning or weekday)

2)Plenty of "neck-craning".

3)Slow down and pull over onto shoulder or into grass if heavy traffic approaches. This is the most important.

4)My opinion only, is I prefer to be willing to pull off the road rather than have a chase vehicle. I've done plenty of both and have had too many near misses that could have ended in tragedy for my chase driver being my "cushion or bumper".

5) I time it when I have to go over a bridge so that there isn't any foreseeable traffic.

Most of the time, if traffic is light, people will change to the inner lane ahead of time. I don't take anything for granted and constantly look behind ready to pull over.

This is not my favorite thing to do. But approached with caution and the willingness to GET OFF THE ASPHALT IF I HAVE TO, I feel it is OK.

 

[Racer71]

I was driving down an interstate in Idaho evening when I came around the corner to find a combine.

Those get big in a hurry.

 

[tinkertoys]

I have done it all over central Texas. It can get very hairy real fast, as stated before, lots of flashing lights and an escort vehicle behind you.

 

[rpoage]

I'm with Roy on this one. Trailer now, live longer. First thing you might check is if there is a minimum speed on the interstates in your state. This varies by state. In PA I think the Min speed is 40mph which is a whole lot faster that I want to go on a tractor.

 

[txdon]

Kyle thanks for the Hwy 290 experience account. While Hwy 21 does not have the traffic of 290 the speed limit is faster with no minimum speed limit. Also, unlike 290 there is no shoulder only a steep (roll-over ditch).

I'm also with Roy Jackson on this one, the trailer is the safest way to get to the property. Another problem is that this is not my tractor.

 

[Logan]

With all due respect, I thought this post was going to be a joke. I would never be critical of anyone publicly for poor decision making because I have made many of them myself. And posting this may be another one. But you asked for opinions...

The closest I've have came to a bad wreck lately was on a four-lane with a 45 mph speed limit. I was following a car at what I thought was a safe distance, when it suddenly swerved into the inside lane. Sitting directly in front of me was a small car, that I couldn't see before, parked in the lane. Another car was beside me and all I could do was to lock down the brakes and I slid to within inches of the car.

I would hate for that to occur at 70 or whatever speed they actually drive on your road. Even if moving 20 mph on a tractor the closing speed would be worse and an accident almost unavoidable. I don't recall reading how far the trip would be, but that really doesn't matter. There is a really good chance you can make the trip successfully, but is that worth an accident and killing a kid who might be riding in the car behind you? Think of all the law enforcement vehicles you have seen on TV sitting on the side of the road, out of traffic and with all kinds of lights activated, that are hit on traffic stops.

We're all friends here and I would tell my best friend the same thing.

 

[Rara Avis]

What is the safest way to drive a tractor on a 4 lane undivided highway where the speed limit is 70 MPH?

Does anyone do it?

http://tcebookstore.org/tmppdfs/vie...09F4829AFE50C&jsessionid=8e30cbe8c9cc3460231a

 

[txdon]

With all due respect, I thought this post was going to be a joke. I would never be critical of anyone publicly for poor decision making because I have made many of them myself. And posting this may be another one. But you asked for opinions...

Actually a lot of farmers in this county drive on the highway. I worded the post neutral for all opinions and reasons why you feel this way, and for the ones who do it, how they make it as safe as possible. I thank you for you thoughtful opinion. PaulChristenson's link is the only information I could find put out by an "official" agency.

If anyone hears of a tractor involved in an accident on a highway please post.

Thanks.