So, you wanna use your tractor commercially

[LoneCowboy]

Well, I just found out a joyous law here in Colorado, but I'm sure there are similar laws in all the states (esp in tax happy northeast and Kali).

It's called the special mobile vehicle decal/plate, SMM plate

If you want to use your self-propelled equipment commercially you have to get this decal/plate.
EVEN if it never goes on road.
If it's off your property, you owe. (honestly, even if it's in route to the dealer, you have to pay some other tax, but no one cares about that)

if you are using it commercially off your property, you owe.

And we aren't taking twenty dollars either. And, you owe prior ownership tax. Either back to date of purchase or 5 years, whichever is more. So, you owned your tractor for 3 years and now you decide to do commercial work. Sorry, 4 years of tax.
I just got done writing a check for over THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS for two tractors. (1.5 years)

and it's good for one year. (although it won't be that much next year)

The fine here is $500 or twice the tax, so it's worth doing. And let me tell you, everyone of these lowballer I see doing work is getting called in.

Think again before you price it at $30/hour.

 

[N80]

This is one of hundreds of reasons that I never want to do any of my hobbies commercially. No matter how fun something is, if you start doing it for a living it becomes......a job.

And apparently there is nothing so abhorent to the state and federal governments as someone taking the initiative to earn his own money.

 

[Ductape]

Really? A zero turn mower used by a lwan service is subject to this foolishness?

 

[AndyMA]

I don't think you need to take this at face value in all states. I just did an internet search and found that for instance in CA it is optional on tractors aand the fee is only $17 / year. See Special Equipment (SE) (FFVR 19)

Andy

 

[LoneCowboy]

Really? A zero turn mower used by a lwan service is subject to this foolishness?

really
Unbelievable huh?

I had no idea, and I've NEVER seen one of these plates/stickers on anything but rental vehicles.
Obviously few do it.

What a joke
I pay sales tax, outrageous vehicle registration fees for the trucks (you know, "it's for the roads", then I have to pay more for tractors which are not on the road (on the road I could see, it's crap but I could see it) every year for the privledge of trying to make money.

 

[N80]

I don't think you need to take this at face value in all states.

Right. I don't think there is any such thing here in SC. In fact, we don't even have to have tags on most trailers.

Here in SC we've been known to secede over such things. (We can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' )

 

[LoneCowboy]

Right. I don't think there is any such thing here in SC. In fact, we don't even have to have tags on most trailers.

Here in SC we've been known to secede over such things. (We can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' )

Better check
I had no idea either, never even heard of it, til the nice officer (and really, he was very nice) informed me of such a thing.

And given the amount of money involved (and we all know it's about tax revenue) it's obviously going to become a serious thing.
at least here. (Kali east )

 

[AndyMA]

I just checked the Conn DMV website as as I expected there is no special fee.

DMV: Fees for Registration

Here is another quote fromt eh conn DMV web site:

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva][/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]Operation of Construction Equipment (Cranes, etc.)

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses individuals to operate motor vehicles on public roadways. No special license or endorsement is required by the DMV for the operation of self-propelled vehicles functioning as construction equipment on-site at a place of construction or repair, as long as the vehicle is not used on public roads or highways.
Operation of Heavy Duty Equipment:
The operation of heavy duty equipment (tractors, cranes, payloaders), off road and over 26,000 lbs. gross weight does not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). However, you are required to obtain an operator's permit and crane registration from the Connecticut State Police. For more information,

I did a fair amount of searching in Conn adn did not find any reference to any such sort of tax except a $10 fee to get a decal as a motor carrier if you use a truck over 18,000 lb

Andy
[/FONT]

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Apparently all you need in Kentucky is a pair of bib overalls and 3 or 4 teeth, 'cause I've seen more'n one example out on our roadways!

 

[LoneCowboy]

I just checked the Conn DMV website as as I expected there is no special fee.

I did a fair amount of searching in Conn adn did not find any reference to any such sort of tax except a $10 fee to get a decal as a motor carrier if you use a truck over 18,000 lb

Andy
[/SIZE][/FONT]

well good, nice
that's pretty sad isn't it?
that bastion of socialism, err I mean the northeast is cheaper than "wild and free west"
sad.

don't worry, I'm sure colorado will repeal theirs to match others (bahhahahahahhahaha not)

 

[Redbug]

That additional fee sounds like foolishness. For the price of the fee, I believe I would take my chances. If they pull you over how do they know you are commercial, (if there's no advertising on your truck)? Just moving farm equipment around.

George is right about good old SC. I do keep one plate up to date, though. I swap it around on any trailers when I am pulling out of state. Even though I would be legal without a plate, most other states' patrolmen probably would not know and I would be wasting my time explaining...

 

[257NH]

Apparently all you need in Kentucky is a pair of bib overalls and 3 or 4 teeth, 'cause I've seen more'n one example out on our roadways!

omfg you gotta warn me when your gonna come out with a one liner like that.If I was drinking a coffee at the time I'd be cleaning my computer monitor right now.Thanks for the laugh.

 

[PAB_OH]

yeahhh! I hope we get a donkey in the round office...

Like I said in another thread. With the tax revenues dropping from traditional sources and the boom in CUT owners states will find a way to make them a profit center. And god forbid you find a way to make an extra dollar with your machines.

I'm pretty sure there is no hope for me. I am eternally pessimistic.

 

[LoneCowboy]

That additional fee sounds like foolishness. For the price of the fee, I believe I would take my chances. If they pull you over how do they know you are commercial, (if there's no advertising on your truck)? Just moving farm equipment around.
...

Of course there is advertising all over my truck, tractor too for that matter (trailer too).
The fine is $500 or two times the ownership tax owed. (trust me, I researched that too)

 

[bigshovel]

Wow, I'm not anti conformist nut by any stretch but just about any time I'm towing building or operating something rarely am I legal. I pay just about no attention to what's inspected, liscensed or when any permits or inspections expired or even if I needed them. I certainly won't loose sleep over it either. All the other government lovers can pay all the B.S. fees as far as I'm concerned. How is it we as Americans pay all of these fees and taxes and just view it as ok. I guess I just view it as let them pull me over or come take a look at what I am operating and tell me different I'll deal with it then. I ran the state of Maryland for 6 years with my F450 until they informed me I needed D.O.T numbers on the side of it. No ticket just 30 bucks for vinyl letters when I got home. I built a new garage and never spent the fifty bucks on that permit either. Never paid anymore property tax on that garage until they mailed me an arial photo of my lot and then when tax time hit I paid the additional tax for that year only. That saved me over a grand. I think all this nonsense has to stop.

End of rant not going political.

Brad

 

[AchingBack]

Where about in the Soviet Union is Colorado?

 

[john_bud]

Brad,

Can you please buy me a lottery ticket? 'Cuz you one lucky dude!

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

I think it is WAAAAAY past time we throw some more tea in the bay!

 

[bigshovel]

Brad,

Can you please buy me a lottery ticket? 'Cuz you one lucky dude!

How many do ya want.

 

[GaryCrowell]

Wow, I'm not anti conformist nut by any stretch but just about any time I'm towing building or operating something rarely am I legal. I pay just about no attention to what's inspected, liscensed or when any permits or inspections expired or even if I needed them. I certainly won't loose sleep over it either.

Same here. I tend to be from the camp that believes it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Then again, I choose to reside in a state where not too much attention is paid to B.S. laws like this either, my outlook might be different if I lived in a place where this type of stuff was vigoriously enforced. My first reaction would be to move to a place that is a little more friendly towards the working man.