Driving tractor on public roads

[jim_wilson]

Wondering if anybody knows the legalities around driving a subCUT or CUT tractor on public roads. I know farm tractors, backhoes etc. can drive on public roads because I see them doing it all the time. I am have no idea however if you need to have the tractor registered in some fashion or if there is some special laws because a tractor is considered a farm implement or something. I live in MA so anybody with knowledge of the laws in that state would be especially helpful. I am just wondering because I have friends who live within a couple of miles and I am sure that they will be asking about getting jobs done with my new tractor but I don't as of yet have a trailer to haul the thing around on.

 

[755inNY]

Jim,

If you want to be real sure, just contact the local police department or sheriff. Personally I don't think you would have a problem with it as long as you weren't impeding traffic, driving unsafely or driving long distances.

I do recall reading that a local man was arrested for DWI for driving his lawn tractor on the road after having one too many.

Jeff

 

[LarryRB]

backhoes have to be registered in Mass to be on the roads,

 

[jimg]

Here in NH technically you need to have at least a NH tag and SMV sign. Practically speaking (in my town) the police wont stop you if you dont have tags or a SMV sign...unless youre doing something really boneheaded. That said I really like to keep the road trips to a minimum b/c fast cars and slow tractors just dont mix well.

 

[Skitch]

If I am reading this correctly, MA does not require registration of farm equipment used on highways ( MA vehicle registration exemptions (page 17)

I can't find any regulations listed for farm equip on highways, but in our area, any farm equipment that is on a public highway is supposed to have a Slow Moving Vehicle emblem (the bright orange triangle) attached to the back, and operate with headlights and flashers. I would assume that this includes CUTs and sub-CUTs.

 

[jim_wilson]

Looks like they consider a tractor an "implement of husbandry" and it is not required to be titled - which would by extension I believe that it does not have to be registered. I know that the construction backhoes I see traveling the roads do not typically have the SMV triangle on them. All of the subCUT's and CUT's I have seen always have the SMV included when you buy them which is what made me wonder what their legal status was. You also do not see the SMV's on tractors that are considered lawn and garden tractors. I will have to make a trip over to the local police station and ask a few questions.

 

[JDgreen227]

Here in Michigan farm tractors do not need to be registered to operate on public roads, but they have to display a SMV emblem on the tractor and/or towed implements and wagons.

I suggest you check with your homeowners insurance agent to learn if the tractor is covered if you take it off your property. My policy (AAA) covers my tractor ONLY if it is on my residence premises. There have been numerous discussions on insurance coverage in several forums.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I will have to make a trip over to the local police station and ask a few questions. </font>

Jim...

I could not help but remember something that a guy I used to work for/with used to say:

"Don't ask a question you don't want to hear the answer to."

I think our CUTs are technically "implements of husbandry" and being in the same postion as you, I personally decided I was not going to ask the local police.

The main reason was because I expect they would wrongly tell me I could not drive on the road, and then when they saw me they would remember they told me and would stop me and hassle me and time on both sides would be wasted...

So I decided that when I drive on the road I will just print out the "implement of husbandry" part of the motor vehicle code and carry it with me in case I am stopped.

That will work for me...not sure it it will work for you...but thought I would mention it... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jim_wilson]

Thanks for the answers - I didn't even think of the insurance thing jdgreen. I actually had the same thoughts as you too Henro - if I was ever to actually try and drive the thing somewhere I figured I would do something like go early on a weekend morning or something when there is no traffic and if the police saw me have the appropriate paperwork. Thing is I didn't know what the law actually was although I suspected that since a tractor is an agricultural implement or whatever the legal term is it does not have to be registered. There are a few small farms in my suburban town and I see a tractor go up and down my street very occasionally so I figured the police would be at least somewhat familiar with the legalities around this.

 

[tracdoc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The main reason was because I expect they would wrongly tell me I could not drive on the road )</font>

That would be my concern as well. Doubt anyone in the constable's office would take the time to scour over the DMV statutes when it's a lot quicker to just shoot from the hip and say "no, you can't do that."

If you've done your homework, and you can reasonably interpret the statute(s) in your favor, IMHO I would simply make a copy, keep it with you and go about your business of moving the UT on the road in a safe and expedient manner. [I am not a lawyer, and this is MHO, not legal advice].

If you get stopped, another of grandpa's rules applies: <font color="brown"> "better to ask for forgiveness than for permission." </font>

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I emailed my local police and just signed it Cliff. I asked them if it was OK to drive my tractor (Specified a SMV sign and flashers) a mile or so to the rental place and back.

I got a nice reply saying that it was not a problem although they would appreciate a quick call to the desk sargent to let them know when I was doing that, but that it wasn't required.

I haven't done it yet, but I don't forsee any problems. This is Chicago suburbs.

Cliff

 

[johnk]

Who would be liable if someone barreled into your tractor while enroute? A lot of liberal sue happy people out there wouldn't miss the chance to make some easy money. Just my opinion. I'd worry about insurance if I was driving it down the road not an appearance ticket from the local police. Cival liability is a real liability in this day and age.

 

[jim_wilson]

I agree that getting in an accident/insurance issues would probably be my biggest concern. I pretty much asked this question out of curiousity anyway - If I had to bring the tractor somewhere I would much rather load it on a trailer and haul it there rather than drive down the road at 7mph. If the tractor is trailered that keeps the wear and tear on the driveline down also.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

We covered that in a thread not to long ago. My current insurence only covers the tractor, but I'm changing carriers -- that's why I haven't traveled on the road yet.

The thread was called "Personal use tractor insurance" last post 6/16 -- I can't seem to get the linking thing to work right now.



Cliff

 

[AndyMA]

Jim

I think you've been steered wrong buy some of these answers. the registry site was about titling, not registering and it does not "entend". Just look at trailers under 3000 LB. No title but they sure need to be registered. It is my understanding that any motor vehicle in Mass over 50cc needs to be registered. In Conn farm tractors do not need to be registered if you are conducting farm business. BTW, I suspect that in Mass driving an unregistered, uninsured results in 2 violations, the uninsured one being a felony and the tractor being loaded on a flat bed and impounded. Don't ask how I know this... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Do yourself a favor an dcall the registry. Don't trust the answer from your local police.

Andy

 

[jim_wilson]

Thanks Andy - my common sense tells me that MA would not let anything slide by that they could revenue out of therefore there has to be some sort of registration or license that you need on the tractor in order to drive it on public roads. I have talked with a couple of guys I work who both claim to have driven their tractors on public roads in their (suburban not rural) towns and not had a problem. I think a lot of that has more to do with the local police and their attitudes towards the whole thing than anything else. After doing some Google searching it looks like the answer is most likely No - the tractor cannot be driven on public roads without a special permit or registration. Going a few houses up the block would probably be ok since the likelihood of getting caught is pretty slim but any significant distance runs the risks of the things you described.

 

[AndyMA]

Your welcome Jim. BTW I actually live in Mass. My business and farm are in Conn and I'm in the process of trying to build a house on the farm. You can get farm plates in Mass but you have to qualify as a farm and also get insurance.

Andy

 

[MadDog]

Jim: I live in Eastern MA too and checked the statutes and posted the results several months ago. I expect a search would turn it up. I am not sure I remember the details accurately but I THINK that you can drive up to 1/4 or 1/2 mile on public ways without being registered and, up to 2 miles without being registered IF you have insurance that covers the tractor while on the roads.

That's the rub, you want to read your homeowner's and auto policies carefully to be sure that you are covered by at least one of them for liability off premises while running the tractor even though it is not an insured vehicle under your auto policy.

Remember, this is just my memory of what I looked up 3 or 4 months ago.

It may not be accurate and thus, worth no more than it has cost you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[beenthere]

Mention has been made of 'farm' use of tractors. In the midwest, the definition of 'farmer' has been occasionally coming down as one who makes his primary income from farming. Now, that has so far just been used to assess property as farm or residential, but I can see it coming that it isn't a 'farm' tractor, unless the primary (over 50%) of income comes from a farm that this tractor belongs to. Might leave a few of us CUT owners without a 'farm'. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Not trying to lead this discussion in any other direction, as I think the 'don't ask' is the best assumption. Have the SMV sign, have amber blinkers working, watch out for traffic, and don't become a 'road hog' while driving. (Some 'farmers' figure they own just as much of that side of the highway lane as the cars do. Some can be pretty beligerant, like bike riders almost). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tc35dforme]

The twist here in MA is the definition of a motor vehicle...

There is some latent verbage in the laws that deal with the speed of the vehicle.

Around me ( close to the MA State Police Academy with tons of SP traffic ) when the hay is being cut, you could pretty much move anything over the road and not get a look from the police. Of course...not being cited doesn't absolve you from liability if you cause a wreck.

I guess it comes down to what you're doing. An occasional trip should be OK...daily commuting ....well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif