HIGHWAY
TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT:
Transporting agricultural machinery from one field to the next by way of public roads is a necessity for many in agriculture. Many motorists are unfamiliar with slow moving agricultural machinery. The potential for accidents is high. Equipment operators must be aware of the hazard their use of public roads causes and take necessary precautions.
Causes
of Accidents on Public Roads
· Difference
in Speed – Most farm machinery
is transported at speeds of 25 mph or slower while other vehicles often
are traveling at much faster speeds, causing motorists to miscalculate
how fast they are approaching farm machinery.
· Farm Size and Location – Long distances between
land farmed increases the need to transport
farm machinery on public roads.
· Size of the Machinery – Today’s large
equipment sometimes overlaps into other
lanes.
· Poor Visibility – Corners, hills, and
other blind spots reduce a motorist’s ability to see farm equipment. Dirty windshields on equipment reduces
operator visibility.
· Unskilled Operators – Today’s large
and complicated equipment require skillful
operators.
· Motorists Unfamiliar with
Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) Signs – Motorists
may not slow down
when approaching a slow-moving
farm machine from the rear.
· Improper Transport Techniques – Failure
to securely tie down equipment or produce
can cause movement or loss of the load.
· Outdated Equipment – Some older equipment
may only have minimal lighting or markings
or the lights may not be working.
· Towing Equipment Too Fast – The equipment may
start to sway, causing the operator to
lose control.
· Poor Road Conditions – Potholes, ditches,
rough roads, and wash-outs can cause
the operator to lose control.
· Extra Riders – Dogs and other animals
falling out of transport vehicles create
hazards to motorists.
· Poor Maintenance of Machinery – Tractors
with no brakes or bald tires are extremely
hazardous.
· Time of the Year – Heavy seasonal use
during planting, haying, and harvesting
increases the potential for an accident.
Prevention of Road Accidents
1. Train equipment operators about proper machinery operation and use. The operators should be licensed drivers. The operators must obey the same laws as motor vehicles.
2. Maintain equipment properly.
3. Each tractor and piece of equipment must have the proper lighting to be transported or driven on public roads. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers recommends:
a) Two white headlights on front.
b) Two flashing amber lights in both front and rear. These can be used as signal lights as well.
c) At least one red taillight on rear left.
d) Two red reflectors that are visible from the rear.
4. If a public road crosses your farm yard, install warning signs and/or flashing amber lights at points down the road that can be activated from the house, machine shed, or barn to warn motorists that farm equipment is crossing the road ahead.
5. Clean off windshields and lights.
6. Use slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) signs.
7. Before entering the roadway, stop and look both directions. Make sure you have enough time to cross the road or enter the road if traffic is coming.
8. Be aware of the road conditions. Know where the hazards exist before you start.
9. Slow down when leaving the road. Turning too fast can whip the towed equipment into the path of oncoming traffic or cause a side overturn.
10. Do not allow extra riders at any time for any reason.
11. Go down a steep hill in the same gear that you use to go up the hill.
12. Securely tie down equipment and loads. Slow down around curves.
13. When towing equipment, use safety chains and the proper size ball and hitch assembly.
14. Lock tractor brake pedals together to ensure adequate braking on both wheels.
15. Maintain speeds that are appropriate for the area, the road and traffic conditions, and the time of the year.
16. Raise hydraulic wings and lock them in place. Relocate hitch points, remove headers, and make equipment narrower for the road.
17. Assist large machines with pilot vehicles equipped with flashing amber lights and signs warning of an oversized load.
18. Drive slow moving vehicles as far right as possible but stay on the road.
a) Motorists may try to pass in hazardous situations.
b) The shoulder may be soft causing the operator to lose control.
19. Stay off public roadways with farm machinery after dark unless absolutely necessary and then only when your vehicle and equipment is adequately lighted for night travel.
Excerpted
from Farm Safety Series PNW 512.
Contact
the WSU/Cooperative Extension office in your county to get a complete
copy.
Compiled by John Fouts. For more information, contact WSU Extension, (509) 477-2048.
Secondary content using h2 tag. Column 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Heading using the h3tag
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.