SMV is illegal on a Tractor capable of exceeding 25MPH

[Rara Avis]

So what do put on the tractor capable of greater than 25 mph??

The problem...
Marion Online News, news and information from the Marion, Ohio area

No answer here...
NASD: Agricultural Equipment on Public Roads | Section 4

Well maybe NIOSH and the US Dept of AG have an answer?

Agricultural Equipment on Public Roads presents current and future issues associated with traffic hazards related to the movement of agricultural equipment on rural roadways. Released by the United States Department of Agriculture痴 North Central Education/Extension Research Activity Committee 197 on Agricultural Safety and Health Research and Extension (NCERA-197), this document contains research recommendations to address these issues. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis Murphy, Chair of the NCERA 197 Committee, at (814) 865-7157 or djm13@psu.edu.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/white_papers/pdfs/ag_equipment.pdf

They seem to just have a suggestion about adding a SPEED INDICATION SIGN to the rear of the tractor and any implement that it tows...

 

[Skyco]

So what do put on the tractor capable of greater than 25 mph??

According to the article you linked it says this-

"The bill would require fast tractors to display both the slow-moving vehicle sign - a triangular red and orange reflective symbol - and a "speed indicator" sign, which would tell motorists the maximum speed at which the tractor can travel."

 

[Reg]

Curious; Amish buggies can probably do more than 25, depending on the horse, and I know I've seen SMV signs on those.

 

[Duffster]

Amish buggies can probably do more than 25,

Doubt it

 

[farmboy12]

Curious; Amish buggies can probably do more than 25, depending on the horse, and I know I've seen SMV signs on those.

Doubt it

I read the stats on that somewhere. They tested about 100 in PA, and they ranged from 5-11mph. They say that the fastest really ever recorded was 15mph. So, I'd imagine that none exceed 18-20mph.


Kyle

 

[Scooby074]

I guess gov't got nothing else to worry about. A SMV sign on a tractor doing 40 MPH isnt that big of deal to me. A driver should be able to judge the machines speed anyways. A SMV sign on a fast tractor would just be another warning to other drivers (such as a reflector) and would only help visibility.

Id be more worried about some idiot texting or gabbing on a cell, than whether a SMV sign on a tractor meets the exact definition of SLOW moving.

 

[Skyco]

I see lots of SMV signs on mailbox posts, doubt they ever get anywhere near 25mph

 

[flusher]

So what do put on the tractor capable of greater than 25 mph??

The problem...
Marion Online News, news and information from the Marion, Ohio area

No answer here...
NASD: Agricultural Equipment on Public Roads | Section 4

Well maybe NIOSH and the US Dept of AG have an answer?

Agricultural Equipment on Public Roads presents current and future issues associated with traffic hazards related to the movement of agricultural equipment on rural roadways. Released by the United States Department of Agriculture痴 North Central Education/Extension Research Activity Committee 197 on Agricultural Safety and Health Research and Extension (NCERA-197), this document contains research recommendations to address these issues. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis Murphy, Chair of the NCERA 197 Committee, at (814) 865-7157 or djm13@psu.edu.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/white_papers/pdfs/ag_equipment.pdf

They seem to just have a suggestion about adding a SPEED INDICATION SIGN to the rear of the tractor and any implement that it tows...

Here in CA you would need the SMV emblem:

"(6) Slow-moving vehicle emblem. This emblem consists of a fluorescent yellow-orange triangle with a dark red reflective border. The yellow-orange fluorescent triangle is a highly visible color for daylight exposure. The reflective border defines the shape of the fluorescent color in daylight and creates a hollow red triangle in the path of motor vehicle headlights at night. The emblem is intended as a unique identification for, and it shall be used only on, vehicles which by design move slowly (25 m.p.h. or less) on the public roads. The emblem is not a clearance marker for wide machinery nor is it intended to replace required lighting or marking of slow-moving vehicles. Neither the color film pattern and its dimensions nor the backing shall be altered to permit use of advertising or other markings. The material, location, mounting, etc., of the emblem shall be in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Standard, SAE J943-1993, Slow-Moving Vehicle Identification Emblem."


The key words are "vehicles which BY DESIGN move slowly". I interpret this to include tractors even if a particular model can exceed 25 mph.

Also, in CA if you're hauling a tractor on a trailer, the SMV emblem has to be removed or risk ticketing by the CHP. Some of the new guys in my EDGE&TA club learned this lesson the hard way.

 

[aczlan]

I see lots of SMV signs on mailbox posts, doubt they ever get anywhere near 25mph

Unless someone hits the mailbox while going more than 25 mph.

Aaron Z

 

[slowzuki]

Getting to be plenty of 40 km/h tractors and a handful of 50 km/h tractors (thats 25 and 30 mph) but I don't know of any faster other than in europe. The JCB's that go 80km/h are treated as trucks in most places and don't have hydraulic steering.

UK is worried more about brakes on these fast movers. Many trailer brakes aren't up to snuff over there, brakes here are rare.