legality of tractors on the road

[Bob_Trevithick]

I wonder if anyone can tell me what the NYS law says about driving our tractors on the road?

I know most of us do it.. helping to plow out neighbors after snow storms, moving to other fields, and so on.

I'm not sure what the actual law says.. afterall, this seems like operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on the highway.

I searched the net, but couldn't find anything that seemed pertinent.

Thanks....

Bob Trevithick

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>... helping to plow out neighbors after snow storms,</font color=blue>

I know this wasn't the subject of your question but make sure your home owners insurance covers this Good Samaritan activity. Mine (State Farm) did not.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>>make sure your home owners insurance covers this Good Samaritan activity.</font color=blue>

Good thought! I just send an email to my insurance agent to double check on this.

Thanks!

Bob Trevithick

 

[TerryinMD]

It depends on what you mean by driving tractors on the road. If you're commuting to your office, you may get in trouble. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. I believe that as long as you use your flashers and have the triangular warning sign on your tractor then you should be legal.

Terry

 

[Boondox]

Not sure about NY, but here in Vermont it's a gray area. The police say "it's not entirely legal," unless I'm travelling between two pieces of property that I own. On the other hand, provided I avoid peak tourism periods, they tend to wave as they pass me. In fact, the only time they pulled me over was to ask me use my FEL to move something heavy out of the road! And the hospitality industry seems to love it; sort of a reminder to their guests that we are still largely aggie.

So I do drive thru the village to help my friends on the other side of the valley, but with conspicuous use of flashers, lights, hand signals and that lovely bright orange paint!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[BobT]

Might want to do a search, this topic of taking your tractor on the road has been discussed at length before.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

Okay, after searching TBN, I called both the NY State Police and the Department of Motor Vehicles, and both were in agreement. There's no need for any registration, provided it's not a commercial venture. As an aside, my insurance agent said that I'm covered if anything happens, for example during plowing the neighbor's driveway, but they do check to make sure no money exchanged hands.

Of course I have nothing in writing from the police or DMV, but I think it's safe to assume that, given all of the above, NYS police won't hassle us for limited, reasonable, safe driving as long as we aren't out on the Interstate.

Whew. The lady at DMV had to spend almost an hour running around asking, so I guess it isn't surprising that we poor citizens aren't entirely clear on the laws about this. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bob Trevithick

 

[s1120]

Thats good to know. I have been driveing my Ingersll back and forth between my land, and my moms house. I have had a trooper drive by. Looked at me strange, but did not stop me

 

[BobT]

To the "other" Bob T ---

Right, you can just drive your tractor around, but make sure you follow the safety requirements.

The insurance angle, though ... I would certainly "get it in writing" from your agent, and even go and read your policy to MAKE SURE what you propose to do is not excluded.

Even though you may be covered by a homeowner's policy, if you plan to do a lot of side work, it would probably be wise to get a specific policy. Elsewhere on TBN these policies seem to go as either a rider or separate policy in the $100-300 range per year, depending.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[JJT]

I also live in NY. My understanding you're covered as long as you have an SMV. I live in farm country and get a wave anytime I see the county sheriff or state police.