Driving across public ways

[jbrumberg]

Dougster:

I admit that I also live in good old Taxachusetts, but there has always been a big difference between the eastern and western parts of the state. It is my opinion that if you live west of Worcester for anything other than paying taxes and funding Boston area projects one usually does not exist. I have spoken to several police officers in my area (Western MA). They have consistently told me that if I have a SMV plate, have my hazard lights and headlights on, use my directional blinkers/hand signals, and drive completely on the road I am legal on the local roads. There may be a problem if I use my rear working lights while on the road, but I will not drive on the road at night so I do not use the rear lights. I occasionally drive on the road along my property line (~.5 Mile) as well as between my home and where I work (1.3 miles) and have not had any problems with the local police. I will add that I have made it a point to befriend the locals . Jay

 

[AndyM]

How's the clam chowda down there?

No clam chowder down here... got some venison bologna in the refrigerator though!

 

[Dougster]

Dougster: I admit that I also live in good old Taxachusetts, but there has always been a big difference between the eastern and western parts of the state. It is my opinion that if you live west of Worcester for anything other than paying taxes and funding Boston area projects one usually does not exist. I have spoken to several police officers in my area (Western MA). They have consistently told me that if I have a SMV plate, have my hazard lights and headlights on, use my directional blinkers/hand signals, and drive completely on the road I am legal on the local roads. There may be a problem if I use my rear working lights while on the road, but I will not drive on the road at night so I do not use the rear lights. I occasionally drive on the road along my property line (~.5 Mile) as well as between my home and where I work (1.3 miles) and have not had any problems with the local police. I will add that I have made it a point to befriend the locals . Jay

Hi Jay. Thanks for the reply. Clearly, it makes all the difference in the world if you have managed to get a special plate. In fact, that is my main goal. I'd be interested to find out how you did that and I'd ask that you send me a private message off-line with the details. Since your property size qualifies you for farm plates, you may have managed to convince state officials that you are principally engaged in farming (or logging) for profit as the RMV rules require for such plates.

Some good news: Turns out I may have found a loophole last night in the PRT General Laws that I may be able to exploit. Problem is that RMV implementing rules appear to squash it. I'll post more about it later this morning.

Dougster

 

[Doc_Bob]

No license, title or insurance required

Hmmmmm, MVA, no insurance, say goodbye to the farm and all your assets.
Bob

 

[Dougster]

Some good news: Turns out I may have found a loophole last night in the PRT General Laws that I may be able to exploit. Problem is that RMV implementing rules appear to squash it. I'll post more about it later this morning.

Extracted (with insignificant editing) from PRT General Laws Chapter 90: Section 9:

"A tractor may be operated without registration upon any way for a distance not exceeding one-half mile, if said tractor is used exclusively for agricultural purposes, or between one-half mile and two miles if said tractor is used exclusively for agricultural purposes and the owner thereof maintains in full force a policy of liability insurance or for a distance not exceeding three hundred yards, if such tractor is used for industrial purposes other than agricultural purposes, for the purpose of going from property owned or occupied by the owner of such tractor to other property so owned or occupied."

This looks really encouraging until you get to the implementing rules which define "agricultural purposes" to mean principally engaged in farming of at least 5 acres (or logging on at least 10 acres) for profit... which cuts me out flat. Mere landscaping or related work is specifically *not* considered an agricultural purpose. And obviously, my neighbors property is not "owned or occupied" by me.

However, the "distance not exceeding three hundred yards, if such tractor is used for industrial purposes" clause may be the loophole I was looking for. While only 900 feet, it gets me to maybe 12 neighbors yards (out of 72) and might be considered to apply to the distance from my remotely parked trailer to the neighbor's yard... significantly easing where I could park the trailer.

The big question is: Is landscaping assistance in a residential neighborhood legally considered to be an "industrial purpose"???

Dougster

 

[N80]

Down here in SC there may be laws regarding this type of thing....but no one knows them if they do. Even a trailer does not need a plate or registration. (But try to get a building permit, whole other story ).

In any case, my B-I-L lives on a long country road that is paved and is (sort of) maintained by the county. He does not have tags or registration for any of his jeeps, trucks, tractors, or even his gigantic old Fiat articulated loader. They only use these on the county road they live on, never on the highway or in town, obviously. He also drives his cows, sometimes 200-300 at a time, down this road. He is quite concerned that do gooders, lawyers, peace groupers and bureaucrats (sp?) will change this. He pretty much has the plans/capability to run parallel dirt roads/trails down the length of the road for moving cows and equipment. It is terrible to have to be that paranoid.

 

[Dougster]

Down here in SC there may be laws regarding this type of thing....but no one knows them if they do. Even a trailer does not need a plate or registration. (But try to get a building permit, whole other story ). In any case, my B-I-L lives on a long country road that is paved and is (sort of) maintained by the county. He does not have tags or registration for any of his jeeps, trucks, tractors, or even his gigantic old Fiat articulated loader. They only use these on the county road they live on, never on the highway or in town, obviously. He also drives his cows, sometimes 200-300 at a time, down this road. He is quite concerned that do gooders, lawyers, peace groupers and bureaucrats (sp?) will change this. He pretty much has the plans/capability to run parallel dirt roads/trails down the length of the road for moving cows and equipment. It is terrible to have to be that paranoid.

The day will come... hopefully in about 2 to 2-1/2 years... when I will move out of the PRT and into "Live Free or Die" country (New Hampshire). That is the plan anyway. Just need a little more of that global warming thang first!

But up until then, the fact is that I *do* live in a suburban residential neighborhood in a town with strict zoning bylaws in a fundamentally non-agricultural state, neither of which take kindly to certain practices. To some around here, I am disturbing the peace just owning a tractor with a backhoe. Complaints from certain neighbors are an ever-present threat.

On the other hand, most of the neighborhood appears at ease with the idea of a tractor living here provided I garage it at night in accordance with town law. With major neighborhood road reconstruction (including tree and sidewalk removals) taking place over the next year or so, I think they are going to be very happy to have quick and easy access to my assorted services.

Dougster

 

[Jimbrown]

You just need to move out here to the wild west. If there are any laws no one cares. Contractors rent equipment from the rental place and drive it miles to the job site and back. My neighbor just bought a tractor and drove it 20 miles to his house. no one cares.

 

[Dougster]

You just need to move out here to the wild west. If there are any laws no one cares. Contractors rent equipment from the rental place and drive it miles to the job site and back. My neighbor just bought a tractor and drove it 20 miles to his house. no one cares.

Now I've been out to Arizona many times... and I've seen your cops and prisons. If that's the law... great! Otherwise, with my luck, I'd be the first to get "life without parole" for driving my tractor across the street!

Dougster

 

[PHIL850]

Dougster, Do you have any information regarding the process of obtaining said "Hoisters LIC" in this wonderful state of taxes and fees? Some day I to will banish myself to the wilds of the northeast kingdom of Vermont and away from the regulations of the mass-***.

regards, Phil C.