Farm Equipment, Safety On The Road, Everyone’s Role

By Tracey Erickson

Spring brings the onset of an increase in farm activity as planting and the moving of livestock to pasture gets underway. As a result we will see an increase of encounters with farm equipment on the road, whether it is a tractor with a planter attached, a swather, a tractor and baler, someone hauling feed between farms, or the local elevator hauling fertilizer or heading out to spray crops for a producer. The point is we all need to be vigilant as a producer, ag industry person or a motorist encountering agricultural farm equipment on the road.
For Motorists

As motorists, there are things we need to remember. First patience is key. Most farm equipment that is operating on the roadways is traveling at speeds between 15-25 mph. When encountering a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) Emblem or flashing amber lights on equipment it is an immediate warning to slow down. We also need to remember that it may be necessary to operate farm equipment on the roadways to move between fields or farms and they are also entitled to do so, legally. An example that is often cited is that if you are driving 55 mph and come upon farm equipment that is driving 15 mph, it will only take five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between you and the farm equipment. Motorists should also not assume that a producer knows you are there. However, once they know you are there they typically will attempt to pull over, if they are able to do so safely, so you may pass. Patience is key, there may not always be an approach that is immediately accessible or a ditch that allows them to ride the shoulder without tipping or running into an object. If you choose to pass, please do so with caution using the following guidelines:

• Be aware of other vehicles behind you that may also be trying to pass.
• If you enter the oncoming lane of traffic, do not pass unless you are able to see clearly in front of you and the farm equipment you are passing.
• Do not pass if there are incoming hills or curves which may block your view.
• Do not pass if you are in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad crossing, or bridge.
• Do not assume if farm equipment slows down and pulls out to the right that they will be turning right or is letting you pass. Due to the size of today’s farm equipment many must execute very wide left-hand turns and in fact may be turning left instead. Check for hand signals, turn signals, or approaches.
• Remember that farm equipment is very large and cannot stop on a dime.

For Equipment Operators

Agricultural producers also need to do their part as they share the roadways. All vehicles that move less than 25 mph must be equipped with a SMV reflective emblem. The emblem should be kept clean, must be visible, and replacement is recommended every 2-3 years. Producers should also place reflective tape on equipment marking the edges of the farm equipment, helping to increase visibility. In regards to lighting and traversing roadways with farm equipment keep the following in mind:

• Tractors or other farm equipment that are operated on roadways must be equipped with lights if operated on roads at night or when there are conditions of reduced visibility.
• Use your flashing amber lights to increase motorist awareness when entering the roadway, but turn your rear spotlights off, as they are often mistaken for headlights.
• Putting flashing amber lights on older equipment that may not have lights will help signal motorist’s attention. Temporary magnetic lighting is available for older farm equipment. The key is keeping the battery charged and working.
• Try to avoid major roadways during high traffic periods, rush hour, bad weather or at night if possible.
• If it is necessary to travel long distances on the roadways, consider using pilot cars in front and behind of the farm equipment, especially at night. Make sure pilot cars use their flashing lights or hang a bright flag in the window.
• Installation of mirrors on equipment will help you view motorists around you.
• Lock brake pedals together for road travel, as sudden braking on one wheel can cause a tractor to skid and lose control.
• Check all towed equipment to make sure it is properly secured and balanced along with having proper lighting and reflective equipment. It should also be towed by equipment that is able to tow it adequately and stop it under control.
• Whenever feasible take steps to make equipment as “traffic friendly” as possible. Combines with wide heads are very difficult to see around and/or pass. Putting the head on a trailer creates fewer problems for other vehicles to safely pass. The same applies to planters, field cultivators, chisels, and disks. Folding them up or placing them in “road travel position” will help make them more “traffic friendly”.