Ever Been Stopped By Police While Driving Your Tractor? I Have..

[tjc1989]

I'd be at the next city/county council meeting to protest the harassment.

I'd also write a bunch of letters.. find the appropriate controlling official that you elected and complain loudly and often.

IE.. city official for a city cop.. and county official for a county cop.

if you were running a smv plaque, in your lane, not exceeding 25mph.. you were likely 100% legal.. heck.. it's a farm to market road.. it's menat to have farm equipment on it!!

soundguy

Thats why as he was carrying on, I was thinking if he gives me a ticket for going too slow on a farm road, I was taking him to court. Not to contest the ticket, ( which I have no doubt would have been dismissed ) but to prosecute him for a false arrest.

I knew I was 100 % legal on the road. Causing an occasional traffic impedement is just unfortunate, but a necessary evil. I might feel different if I was on a major highway or interstate, impeding traffic, but this was a rural farm road, clearly labeled "farm road".

But, in Texas, a traffic ticket is considered an arrest. Also in Texas, if you arrest someone for something that is not against the law, the police officer is liable for criminal and civil repercussions. The cop really needs to know with 100% certainty that someone is violating the law before he arrests them, or the victim has some real power to seek retribution.

 

[fire72]

The fire department I work for has a 6x4 Gator that we use for EMS at city events, checking hydrants, etc. I was driving it back to one of our stations with the other two members of my crew following me in the medic truck when I saw a police officer running a well known speed trap across from the station. I looked back and saw the crew in the medic motioning me to slow down and thought, you've got to be kidding. My immediate response was to hammer the throttle and pass the speed trap as fast as I could. I then turned around and asked the officer running the radar how fast I was going. He just laughed and told me 19 mph.

I also have my own 6x4 Gator at home, and I routinely drive it on the dirt roads where I live without a problem. Various neighbors also have a Kawasaki Mule and a couple of Kubota RTVs that also spend time on the road. I just glance over my shoulder every so often to see if there is a car behind me. If there is, I pick a spot to pull over, let the car pass, and continue on my way. Works just fine and everybody gets along.

 

[6011Artist]

I saw that movie, The Straight Story, on RFD TV one night about 2 in the morning. I thought it was a pretty good movie. Thanks for reminding me of this.

I drive my tractor on the road all the time and have never been stopped. Of course it is a really non traveled country road. I have several neighbors that have tractors also and it is nothing to drive over on the tractor. I often wonder what some of them think when they hear my old 35 Ferguson going by....at midnight...lol. One of my buddies has left my shop at 3 in the morning on his lil 650 JD several times. Rich guys travel their neighborhoods in golf carts, us country boys do it on the tractor....lol.

 

[some zilch]

i wonder if he pulled you over b/c of the line of traffic stacked up behind you. lines of slow moving traffic are a major safety issue as people are going to want to try to illegally pass, or follow too close. i have been behind way too many tractors that refuse to pull over and let cars go around, even when there is ample room to move over.

 

[Soundguy]

I think it would still come down to ROW. if the tractor was doing something that was legeal.. then heck.. traffic is traffic. Would you say that all 'slow' cars should have to pull over to let other people pass? That sounds kinda odd doesn't it?

soundguy

 

[Cub124]

We have tractor cruises around here all the time in the summer time. It's about 45 miles and go's through 3 countys they usually stop some where and eat for lunch. The cops around here don't bother the tractors at all. i've even seen tractors on the main 4 lane highway in town.

 

[Soundguy]

all our county mowing crews run tractors with 5-6-12-15 ' cutters down the road.. even US 441. while we have lots of 'city' area, there is also alot of rural land on the outskirts and a day doesn't go by that i don't see a tractor on some road some where.

I've never seen any of our police pull over a tractor.

soundguy

 

[techwrtr2]

In my little farm village, it's not uncommon to see a piece of farm equipment putzing through the center of town. Tractors are almost as numerous as people.

 

[AndyMA]

It really depends on the state. In Conn tractors may be used by true farmers between there fields, home base, shop and fuel to name a few. Commercial operators, even those who just plow snow for neighbors must be registered, insured and operated by a licensed driver. It must be used in true farm operation and I believe that you must generate $2500 in sales yearly from farming operations. In Mass the other state I have direct knowledge of you can't even cross the street with out being registered, licensed and insured. don't bother asking me how I know

Andy

 

[techwrtr2]

Don't you have to have a license to breath in Mass?

Honestly, I am unsure of what the precise regs are here in PA. I don't recall ever seeing plates on farm equipment beyond SMV placards. I have seen plates on some construction equipment (and it's not consistent either).

 

[wampum]

I do not know if this was covered or not. I see no problem with running on the road as long as you are legal. Flashing lights and slow moving sign. However,one big thing to consider is insurance. Your home owners will cover you "on your property" off of your property you need extra insurance,for your equipment. If you have or cause an accident,with out the proper insurance,you could be in for a huge liability. Check with your insurance carrier,before hand to make sure you are covered. A simple call could save you a huge head ache later.

 

[Soundguy]

Do check with your carrier.

my carrier says I'm covered on my property, or if roading between my properties.. as long as non comercial / not for hire.

soundguy

 

[TomWhite]

There was a story several years back in Iowa. Guy lost his DL due to his age or related issues. Since he couldn't drive a car to see his brother he hopped on his old JD mower and drove several hundred miles (I think) and became local celebrity for a while. If I remember it right JD gave him brand new mower after that.

Wasn't there a made-for-tv movie about that?