Operating your tractor on public road right of way

[Farmwithjunk]

Some drivers, if their attention is fixed on something, will steer toward it.

Years ago, I raced dirt bikes. (Enduros and Hare Scrambles) One enduro we went to every fall had a long off camber downhill that ran right along a barbed wire fence. During the years we raced there, I know of about 5 different guys that got ripped up pretty good from that fence. Every one commented on the fact that they couldn't get their eyes off the fence, and it just drew 'em in like a magnet.

The view from a tractor cab while slowly mowing along side of a busy highway is downright incredible! Ever wonder why there's so many road rage incidents? It's because there's so many ignoramous' on the highway.

 

[slowzuki]

I move tractors on the road, as such I have a farm policy that covers me on the road. I also run taxed diesel since I run on the road in the winter some not to fields. They don't pick on us much here luckily.

 

[Heavyduty]

TexasJohn, you're absolutely right. :thumbsup:

Some drivers, if their attention is fixed on something, will steer toward it.
This happens a lot, and highway department workers are well aware of it. And of course, drunks are even worse about running off the road.
But everyone should be aware of that when they are at the side of the road, for any reason. Even changing a flat at the side of a road can be dangerous. A person needs to keep an eye on the oncoming traffic as much as possible.

Years ago, my aunt was known as a terrible driver and easily distracted.
One day she was coming up to a stop sign at a road crossing, when she saw a friend coming toward her on the other highway.
She was so busy waving at them that she apparently forgot to stop, and ran into the side of their car. Fortunately no one was hurt, but some people are just more inclined to be distracted than others.

Talkin about changing tires, It is amazing that some people will only pull over maybe a foot or so on a 4 lane highway with a speed limit of 70 mph, we all know some people are going 80 plus mph.

I would get over on the grass shoulder as far as possible or take the next exit. Dang rim and tire is cheap , compared to my life.

 

[Sawdust Farmer]

This happened last week:

Deadly semi/tractor accident

Doesn't matter who was "right" and who was "wrong", when things go this wrong...

sf

 

[JDgreen227]

Got my license back in '68, then a job where I drove commercial straight trucks for a living from '71 thru 2002. About '76 I decided to buy a road motorcycle. When I viewed from the seat on a bike what incompetent, reckless fools most drivers were behind the wheel, I sold the bike after only 6 months. Today there is a lot more traffic, a lot more incompetent, reckless fools, and much of the traffic is moving a lot faster than it was 35 years ago. Bad drivers didn't scare me so much when what I was operating was bigger and heavier than most other traffic. Sometimes I miss that feeling of safety. NOTHING would make me get on a motorcycle and ride in traffic these days.

 

[texasjohn]

There is some saying about the follies of youth and the wisdom of age....seems applicable here, JD, to both you and me.

 

[JDgreen227]

OP here, just got an email from my AAA agent regarding ROW operation and off premises coverage.

He stated that if I was off either my property or on the road out front of my property "without good cause" my homeowner's policy would not cover my tractor, meaning my insurance would be void. I CAN mow my roadfront ROW AND use the road itself to turn around, but if I go over the centerline and/or past my property boundaries, insurance coverage is void.

He also said coverage to have my policy expanded to include roadway use of my tractor (unlimited distance from my premises) would be about $710 per year extra. My current HO policy is about $800 per year. That is a BIG increase.

 

[Soundguy]

"without good cause" .

those 3 words say alot.

if you owned property across / down the street.. seems like you could constru 'good cause' as running down the street.. etc.

soundguy

 

[CarlL]

In Missouri, you can run a tractor on non-interstate public roads with a triangle, 1 white light in front and 1 red in the back (visible from 500 feet). Must be a licensed driver and obey "normal rules of the road".

Good powerpoint on this at:

aglaw.missouri.edu/Farm%20Machinery%20on%20the%20Highway.ppt

 

[JDgreen227]

those 3 words say alot.

if you owned property across / down the street.. seems like you could constru 'good cause' as running down the street.. etc.

soundguy

Yup..but I do not own any other property. I CAN LEGALLY use my tractor on the road as long as I am using flashers, has visible SMV sign, etc. BUT if some moron is texting and/or not paying attention and hits me from behind, I am out the cost of repairs at best or a new tractor at worst.

Oh...that $710 a year for additional insurance coverage is high, my 2004 Buick Lesabre costs $825 a year for full coverage with high liability limits. Go figure.