The following is a list of some of the common rules pertaining to the transportation of oversize farming implements. For specific rules and regulations, contact the Department of Transportation in your state.
What is classified as a farm implement?
A device that directly contributes or affects the production agricultural products, including fertilizer and chemical applicator apparatus.
- Must be less than 45,000 pounds
- Must be less than 20 feet wide
- Must be of legal height (usually 14 feet)
- Overall length must be less than 70 feet
- Must have air-filled rubber tires or solid rubber tracks that are non-damaging to the public highways.
Usually, no permit is required on state highways when farm machinery or auxiliary equipment is towed, hauled, or self-propelled fitting the above description and up to 16 feet in width.
When is a farm implement permit required?
A farm implement permit is usually required when the width of the implement is over 16 feet but less than 20 feet. The unit must still be of legal height (usually 14 feet). The fee varies from state to state for a farm implement permit.
When is a commercial oversize permit required to transport a farm implement?
A commercial oversize permit may be required if the farm implement in question is over 20 feet wide, over 14 feet high, or over 70 feet in length.
When is it required that an escort vehicle is used in the transportation of a farming implement?
In most cases, an escort vehicle is required when the implement being transported is wider than 12 feet 6 inches. For agricultural related implements, the following exceptions are usually made regarding the escort vehicle:
- The escort vehicle may be any vehicle as long as it is legal size and weight
- The escort vehicle is allowed to pull a trailer
- Escort drivers assisting in the transportation of farm implements do not usually have to be certified
- Passengers are, under most circumstances, allowed in the escort vehicle
Other rules:
Other rules may apply for the legal movement of farm implements on public roadways. Some of these may involve:
- Oversize load signs on both escort vehicles and the implement itself
- Brightly colored flagging on the farm implement
- Headlight/taillight/rear reflector usage
- Slow moving signage
- Curfew/Commuter hours
- Convoying of farm implements
Consult your state department of transportation for the specific laws and regulations in your area. Always follow the laws and travel as safely as possible on the public roadways.
Mark Allen writes about traffic issues, road trips, and traffic camera issues and sites at http://dotwebcams.com
