Henro/Bill, in some states it is against the law to use the flashers on your car OR on a tractor. Just give your state police a call and ask them. Better safe than ticketed. I use mine with the flashers and headlights on, not more than 2 miles usually. BTW, thanks for being a good neighbor. We sure need more of them. John
Tractor on road in PA?
- Thread starter Henro
- Start date
- Views: 18096
boustany
Platinum Member
I know where I live, you can drive on roads (not highways) provided you have the Red Triangle and so on. Insurance is another matter, but I have a rider on my policy and I'm told its ok.
You may cosider simply phoning the police, explaining the situation, and asking them if it was ok. They can be surprisingly flexible on such things.
I fretted for weeks about sighting in my various weapons in on my farm, since they built 65 palatial estates on the lot next to me. So I asked. The officer explained that, provided not a single part of a bullet left my property I was permitted to do so.
I'd do the same thing if I wasn't sure about something in the future.
You may cosider simply phoning the police, explaining the situation, and asking them if it was ok. They can be surprisingly flexible on such things.
I fretted for weeks about sighting in my various weapons in on my farm, since they built 65 palatial estates on the lot next to me. So I asked. The officer explained that, provided not a single part of a bullet left my property I was permitted to do so.
I'd do the same thing if I wasn't sure about something in the future.
RustyJones
New member
I think you should be OK. Like other's have already said, just turn on your flashers and have a car follow behind you with it's hazard lights on. If your in doubt, check the law. I know in MO that it's perfectly legal to drive a tractor on the road provided that its for agricultural purposes and you obey all traffic laws.
Here's my tractor road driving experience:
Just this last winter, our farmers were just finished up combining the corn in the fields and were unloading the combine into the grain bin hauler that was hooked up to the big 70's International tractor they just recently got. I was shooting the breeze and what-not with Aaron (one of the farmers) about the International (don't remember the model, but he said when they dynoed it in their shop, it was 148.3 HP!).
So, the combine finished unloading and Aaron says to me with a grin, "Want to haul the corn on up back to our place?" Well gee, it took me all of about .0003 of second to say, "YEAH!" So Aaron rode with me (supervising) with me driving. It was sundown, so I turned on the tractor lights, flashers, and the other farmer followed behind us in the truck with it's hazards on.
WOW - what a difference there is from a CUT/50 HP or less tractor to a 145 HP agricultural tractor! The cd player in the cab, with heat was pretty nice and the ride was a lot smoother then I thought it was going to be... I couldn't believe how easy it was doing 15-20 MPH down the highway hauling a loaded grain bin. It was a blast! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Here's my tractor road driving experience:
Just this last winter, our farmers were just finished up combining the corn in the fields and were unloading the combine into the grain bin hauler that was hooked up to the big 70's International tractor they just recently got. I was shooting the breeze and what-not with Aaron (one of the farmers) about the International (don't remember the model, but he said when they dynoed it in their shop, it was 148.3 HP!).
So, the combine finished unloading and Aaron says to me with a grin, "Want to haul the corn on up back to our place?" Well gee, it took me all of about .0003 of second to say, "YEAH!" So Aaron rode with me (supervising) with me driving. It was sundown, so I turned on the tractor lights, flashers, and the other farmer followed behind us in the truck with it's hazards on.
WOW - what a difference there is from a CUT/50 HP or less tractor to a 145 HP agricultural tractor! The cd player in the cab, with heat was pretty nice and the ride was a lot smoother then I thought it was going to be... I couldn't believe how easy it was doing 15-20 MPH down the highway hauling a loaded grain bin. It was a blast! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
OP
Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the input! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I looked at the link that jayhawkRoy referred to, and it looks like I can probably drive down those two miles of road legally and without problem. I will print out the PA DMV document and carry it with me just in case... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Sometime in the past I began to start to follow the " don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer" approach to life...so I don't think I will call the local police to ask if they will hassle me or not if I drive on the road. Would rather discuss it with the officer if he would stop me. I fear getting the wrong answer [I mean incorrect, from someone who doesn't know just giving an answer]. I am almost certain at this point that I can legally drive my tractor down the road...
When I do it, I will have someone following me with their flashers on. I am also pretty sure we can and should do that here in PA, but I am totally sure it is the right thing to do in any case. So we will do that. And if someone comes up behind us, we will pull over and let them pass as well.
The only thing that I wonder about is my NOT being a farmer. I am sure the laws are written for the sake of true farmers. But that link referred to by jayhawkRoy also refers to earthmoving equipment in addition to farm equipment as implements of husbandry. So I am pretty sure I am OK.
My tractor is 30 HP...if it was less than 20 hp, things would even be easier and less restricted, even though it looks like there are not much in the way of restrictions in any case.
Thanks again for the help! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks for all the input! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I looked at the link that jayhawkRoy referred to, and it looks like I can probably drive down those two miles of road legally and without problem. I will print out the PA DMV document and carry it with me just in case... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Sometime in the past I began to start to follow the " don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer" approach to life...so I don't think I will call the local police to ask if they will hassle me or not if I drive on the road. Would rather discuss it with the officer if he would stop me. I fear getting the wrong answer [I mean incorrect, from someone who doesn't know just giving an answer]. I am almost certain at this point that I can legally drive my tractor down the road...
When I do it, I will have someone following me with their flashers on. I am also pretty sure we can and should do that here in PA, but I am totally sure it is the right thing to do in any case. So we will do that. And if someone comes up behind us, we will pull over and let them pass as well.
The only thing that I wonder about is my NOT being a farmer. I am sure the laws are written for the sake of true farmers. But that link referred to by jayhawkRoy also refers to earthmoving equipment in addition to farm equipment as implements of husbandry. So I am pretty sure I am OK.
My tractor is 30 HP...if it was less than 20 hp, things would even be easier and less restricted, even though it looks like there are not much in the way of restrictions in any case.
Thanks again for the help! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
fivestring
Veteran Member
<font color="orange">"The only thing that I wonder about is my NOT being a farmer." </font>
Wear overalls, boots, a straw hat and spit tobacco.
That'll show'em you're a farmer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wear overalls, boots, a straw hat and spit tobacco.
That'll show'em you're a farmer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
OP
Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
Might even eat baked beans for breakfast that morning...that part comes naturally to me...kids gave me the nickname no-manner-man years ago...due to my ability to pick up traits from a good friend who I used to work with, who is also a true farmer in the real sense... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Must be a western PA thing... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Must be a western PA thing... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
RayBee
Gold Member
Henro;
I occasionally travel a state highway a couple of miles on my B2710 to help a friend and practice all the safety rules stated already, and also travel the road after 9am & before 4pm when possible, avoiding peak commute times.
In addition, be aware if you have an escort vehicle that the following traffic may not know that you are in front of the escort and won't find out until they have commited to pass your escort and confront you unexpectedly. forcing you off the road.
I prefer not using an escort and taking my share of the lane from which I can be seen and from which I can drive to the shoulder and yield to traffic that may need to pass.
Driving on the shoulders invites cars to pass in non safe areas and crowds you, better to have them follow at a safe distance and pass you when you decide it's safe for you. IMO /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The road I travel is winding and has narrow or no shoulder in spots. Be Safe ....RayBee
I occasionally travel a state highway a couple of miles on my B2710 to help a friend and practice all the safety rules stated already, and also travel the road after 9am & before 4pm when possible, avoiding peak commute times.
In addition, be aware if you have an escort vehicle that the following traffic may not know that you are in front of the escort and won't find out until they have commited to pass your escort and confront you unexpectedly. forcing you off the road.
I prefer not using an escort and taking my share of the lane from which I can be seen and from which I can drive to the shoulder and yield to traffic that may need to pass.
Driving on the shoulders invites cars to pass in non safe areas and crowds you, better to have them follow at a safe distance and pass you when you decide it's safe for you. IMO /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The road I travel is winding and has narrow or no shoulder in spots. Be Safe ....RayBee
jayhawkRoy
Silver Member
Let us know how it all turns out, especially if you get stopped by the law. Just wish the Kansas Dept of Revenue site was as easy to navigate and find info as the PA DMV site. My curiosity caused me to check out the KS rules, and I can't find them. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
rdbrumfield
Veteran Member
I had a problem with my boy and the city police. They told him he couldn't drive the tractor in town. I told the police that he could take the tractor anywhere he liked and could even go 11 miles on the highway if he liked without repercussions, it is federal law. When I showed him the RCW he had to backtrack. As long as the tractor is involved with ag use, who are they to know, there is no problem. My boy was 15 at the time with no drivers license. No problem as long as the operator is operating within the law of the road. The first time he took the tractor out on a commercial job he was 11. Did a backhoe job, footing for the church, I was on duty with the military, they were a bit wary at first, but he soon proved that he could do the job.