Tractor on road in PA?

[Henro]

While I don't want to make a habit out of helping friends who live a distance away with the tractor [transport & insurance issues mainly], I do want to help a friend that is about 2 miles down the road from me, who has a terrible driveway and maintains it by hand.

I don't have a trailer, so the only way practical to get the tractor to his place is the road. We are in an area that is rural, but close to the city and things are becoming more suburban almost daily with new housing developments and all that.

Anyway, I would pass one small farm on the way, and I occasionally see one or two of their tractors pass my place on the road, during summer and fall.

My question relates only to whether I can run my B2910 Kubota on the road to his house, without worrying about a hassle from the local police, if they happen to see me on the road. I know tractors are on the roads in PA all the time, but it is rare (when you live 15 minutes from downtown by car) to see them on the roads around here.

Can I, should I, would you?

I would not want to offer help and then later backout.

Grateful for any advice/pointers ... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jwstewar]

I wouldn't be afraid to do it. Have your SMV sign on and your flashers. Might also have a chaser behind you with their flashers on as well. For 2 miles I don't think it would be a problem. I live off of a US highway and there are big and small tractors going up and down it all of them time just the way I described. Go ahead and help your buddy out.

 

[MikePA]

I agree with Jim's recommendations, particularly about the chaser.

I took a hay wagon (full size, but empty) back to a neighbor who lived about 2 miles away with my TC25D.

I left my house right after sun up, and had the flashers on plus headlights. I was fortunate in that most of the way there was a berm on the road that was wide enough for the hay wagon, plus there weren't too many blind curves. People could see me for a good distance. From the front they saw this small tractor hauling a large hay wagon. From the back, they saw a self propelled hay wagon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good advice, and besides you are being a good neighbor. Its not like you are running a transport operation or something.

My insurance (homeoners) actually prefers this setup, if I want to use my tractor to help a neighbor, and can drive there, they like that. If I am all set up to trailer it and am running all over, hey I am in business, and need to insure it that way.

So are you ONLY 2 miles from Cerberus?!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Youare]

I did the same thing for my son's father-in-law who lives 8 miles away. The trip took me 40 minutes along secondary roads and involved crossing one 55 MPH highway.

In New Hampshire you have to get license plates to operate your tractor legally on the road, less than $10.00 a year. Liaibility insurance would be the only issue should you wipe out someone's mail box or fence along the way.

At one point years ago I was desperate to move tractor from home to wood lot 17 miles away, I drove the whole distance without any probelms from local law enforcement.

Just make sure you have those lights you just mounted on your ROPS on. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Randy

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. SMV sign, and flashers.. if you tow a trailer behinf the tractor.. get a smv sign for it too.. and if it has lights.. just quickly wire them up to your tractor flashers.

I did this on halloween for a hay ride.. I loaded hay onto the trailer.. got hte people.. and wired the trailer lights to the flasher on my NAA.. was nice..

There are tractors on our roads all the time... I even road my NH 1920 to some land down the street to mow it.. probably 2 miles.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[ScottAR]

Just replying to the bottom of the thread.

I road my tractor everywhere it goes... Then this is Arkansas where a tractor on the road is an everyday thing; a little one like mine or a giant and everything in between.

 

[NIXON]

It's not at all uncommon to see tractors on the road up here .
Some of the larger ones use a chase vehicle .
I have had a few occasions to road my tractor . Like the others said , SMV sign ,flashers and lights on . I'm seriously considering installing a removable mirror just for those occasions . John

 

[jayhawkRoy]

Take a look at the link below. PA DMV has fact sheet, "Farm Equipment requirements". If your farm and garden vehicle is under 20 HP & driven incidentally on the highway, then you are exempt from use, lighting, inspection, permit, registration requirements. If over 20HP, choose the appropriate category, and you may be required to be registered. I think you want to be an Implement of Husbandry (Non-Registered). On the other hand, for $24 you can be fully registered as a Type A Farm Vehicle, 2 yr certificate of exemption, and go a bunch of places legally! Your call. PA DMV Fact Sheets

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> On the other hand, for $24 you can be fully registered as a Type A Farm Vehicle, 2 yr certificate of exemption, and go a bunch of places legally! </font>
Henro, might want to check the Lighting Requirements..."Must have two rotating yellow beacons and vehicular hazard signal lamps on highways other than freeways."