My neighbor has a small "hobby farm" he works part time. He has an older Jeep he uses around his place that insted of getting farm use registration & plates, he just hung a orange triangle on the back of it. He does use it on the roads but just around the farm, he doesnt go into town w/it. Is that ok to do? I thought SMV's where for actual slow moveing vehicles ? Are the "fast tractors" in the post below that are traveling near high way speeds still required to have one ?
- Thread starter Early B
- Start date
fixerupper
Well-known Member
Im a little foggy (normal occurance) about what the maximum speed is for a SMV sign but i think it's in the 25-30 MPH range. Farmers, including me, will pull a wagon with an SMV sign 40 MPH or higher behind a pickup illegaly but i have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for it.
wilson ind
Well-known Member
If he has liability ins for the time on public roads the possibility of a fine would maybe be much cheaper than registration and license fees. Years ago my dad did not obtain license for the grain trucks only traveling a few miles to local elevators. Over weight fines were two or four cents a lb. No plate fine was 18.75. never did get caught. What bothers me most is slow moving drive way markers. When traveling strange roads at night I have slammed on the brakes comming around a curve thinking a piece of farm equipment was on the road only to find some bloke (term used from B&Ds post) had nailed SMV signs on post. Why cops do not ticket for missus of smv is mystery yo me as its unsafe.
Tony in SD
Well-known Member
Ive always thought that the SMV signs were dumb. And as modern machinery gets bigger and bigger I as others see the equipment way before i see the little SMV sign. That said, I know a farmer that in the 70s was fined because he had no SMV sign on a hay stack on a tractor pulled stack mover. Im wondering if he had a SMV sign, if the driver of the car would have still run in to him. Bottom line your buddy probably won't get a ticket unless he is involved in an accident.
john in la
Well-known Member
You are asking the wrong question.
A SMV sign is for warning that you are approaching a slow moving vehicle.
That could be a tractor; a construction backhoe; a horse and buggy; or even a golf cart.
The real question is Does your state allow this Jeep to be called a "implement of husbandry" exempting it from plates.
Since your state has farm use registration & plates I would think not.
But he could possibly put a farm use plate AND a SMV sign on it to warn that it is moving slow.
A SMV sign is for warning that you are approaching a slow moving vehicle.
That could be a tractor; a construction backhoe; a horse and buggy; or even a golf cart.
The real question is Does your state allow this Jeep to be called a "implement of husbandry" exempting it from plates.
Since your state has farm use registration & plates I would think not.
But he could possibly put a farm use plate AND a SMV sign on it to warn that it is moving slow.
jim castleman
Member
No farm liability coverage on a vehicle that needs a license plate.
Badger bob
Member
fixerupper your right, here in IA its 30 mph. but I see big straight trucks pulling 600 bu wagons to the ethanol plants doing 55+ all day long. but the d.o.t. wont stop them. but thay did give a gut a tickt for having 3 5 gal buckits in the back of his truck that were not tyed down. and one trucker for not having the caps on his valve stems. you just have to love the government. Bob
I've read on here, and heard it said locally, that you can be ticketed for hauling an implement at highway speeds if it has a visible SMV emblem on it. Makes sense to me, for the same reason the other poster mentioned about SMV driveway markers.
Around here, you're begging for a ticket if you drive an unlicensed Jeep on any public road.
Around here, you're begging for a ticket if you drive an unlicensed Jeep on any public road.
North Vale - PA
Member
very good point, I actually never thought about it. Many used on driveways around here.
Basicly if he runs it on the public roads at all he needs plates/ins. However,lots of farm vehicles run around unliscened.That doesnt make it legal or 'right'....Your friend will get away with it till he gets caught,or there is an accident(they happen),or someone borrows the car.SMVs are not legal for unliscenced/liscenced vehicles.Check with local laws.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
Where I live, all vehicles have to have insurance and tags which includes a county tax. Off road vehicles atv and utv's have to be registered with BMV, another tax. I also insure my utv.
IDEM, also requires all farm tractors, trucks, cars, equipment with an engine like combines to be in working condition and not sit around with weeds and trees growing in them. If not in use IDEM thinks they can leak fluids and cause an issue.
Some may get buy without tags, but where I live in Indiana, using a jeep will require a plate and insurance. They don't care if it's farm use.
IDEM, also requires all farm tractors, trucks, cars, equipment with an engine like combines to be in working condition and not sit around with weeds and trees growing in them. If not in use IDEM thinks they can leak fluids and cause an issue.
Some may get buy without tags, but where I live in Indiana, using a jeep will require a plate and insurance. They don't care if it's farm use.
old popper
Well-known Member
Jim, it has been several years now, but a farmer was pulling a gravity wagon to the elevator south of Cherokee, with his pickup, when he was stopped by a new (female) State Trooper. Ticketed for no SMV. After unloading, he went to Bomgaars and bought the SMV and put it on the wagon. On the way home, she stopped him and ticketed him again for going too fast with the SMV. Gotta love their enforcement policies.
Case Nutty 1660
Well-known Member
Here in Wyoming are SMV laws states them to be on only vehicles that travel less that 30 mph, I see now some tractors move faster than that so I am not sure if they ever altered the law, I know I had been stopped in a 14G CAT blade years ago as I was running 34 mph and a High Po stopped me and told me to remove it
If the gravity wagon had no brakes it's very possible that he could have been traveling less than 30MPH with the loaded wagon to stay at a safe speed, then towed the empty wagon home faster than 30MPH without thinking to cover the SMV sign.
I believe it's better for everyone if wagons and other slow moving equipment can stay on the back roads whenever possible.
I believe it's better for everyone if wagons and other slow moving equipment can stay on the back roads whenever possible.
notjustair
Well-known Member
I have one of those mini Japanese right hand drive pickups I use on the farm everyday. It goes everywhere with me. Kansas law is that it can be run anywhere but the interstate for farm use. It will run 60 mph but I usually go about half that on black tops as it has atv cleat tires on it. I've never had an issue, but this is a very ag area and folks know I am using it for farm. I've got to go over to one of the farms here in a minute - it is 10 miles and I am taking the little pickup. When I have to go off-road after this much rain I sure won't be doing it in the regular pickup!
That old jeep would be about the size of my mini pickup and was intended for use on road originally (like mine but in another country). He's probably OK but should check with the county. They make a plate that says "Farm Use" on it. I have been meaning to get one for my little monster but haven't yet.
That old jeep would be about the size of my mini pickup and was intended for use on road originally (like mine but in another country). He's probably OK but should check with the county. They make a plate that says "Farm Use" on it. I have been meaning to get one for my little monster but haven't yet.
Our feed truck is SME, or special mobile equipment. It is an implement of animal husbandry and is exempt here in Iowa. No license, registration, or tags required. It doesn't even have a vehicle title. Been pulled over by the DOT boys several times. They get pretty upset at our explanation. Then go back to their rig and look it up. They can't even inspect the truck, last guy said just get the damb thing off my highway. Its top speed is 45 miles an hour due to low rear ends for unloading. SMV speed is limited to 29 mph, so no SMV
Well I've read on here SMV sign is limited up to 29,30, and 40 mph. I always thought it was for anything moving slow up to 35 mph. I always kept it below 35 if pulling something without a plate and an SMV sign attached. I've never had a problem. Although it gets more congested were I live than it use to be so I've been doing it less and less all the time.
Not always correct! I used to work for the Kansas DOT (road and building construction inspection/Materials and Research). We had the responsibility of inspecting the mail boxes on all state/federal highways, and FAS (Federal Aid Secondary) routes in the entire state. We photographed every box in our district, then notified the owners that were not in compliance with the "code". The notice included a DETAILED reason for non-compliance, and what needed to be done (within 30 days) to rectify the problem.
The worst one I remember was a man who just spent over $20,000 on a HUGE, FANCY rock wall with the box incorporated in it. It was too big, too close, and a road hazard. He was NOT happy when told he had to remove it....
The worst one I remember was a man who just spent over $20,000 on a HUGE, FANCY rock wall with the box incorporated in it. It was too big, too close, and a road hazard. He was NOT happy when told he had to remove it....
In the State of Delusion that is legal, in the State of Confusion it isn't legal and will result in confiscation of vehicle. One very important piece of info missing from your post- the ACTUAL STATE where this is occurring and perhaps actual year, make, model of the Jeep- some state laws on old vehicles and farm implements, farm trucks have the base exemption for such as long as it doesn't get to interstate commerce, interstate roads and commercial hire or so many mile from home farm- the threads on unlicensed 'farm trailers' has noted some people can legally haul their farm equipment on large but unlicensed trailers 50 miles from farm or some 100 miles as long as not crossing state lines while a couple note 'in residents county or adjacent' no license plates required. You describe 'Farm Use' mostly and 'old' Jeep that might be treated like a JD Gator or similar dump box equipped utility ATV sort of hauler. Get back with actual state in the US and maybe John T can point us to the actual vehicle codes regarding 'farm equipment'. RN
Got this from NAS sight.
"SMV signs are required by law on farm machinery and equipment traveling on roadways at speeds of 25 m.p.h. or less and must be visible for at least 500 feet to the rear. In Ohio, approved SMV signs have a front label identifying the manufacturer and documenting that the sign meets the American Society of Agricultural Engineers' (ASAE) standards for durability and longevity.
Properly mounted, the sign is centered, two to six feet above the ground, pointed up and in a place perpendicular to the direction of travel."
My Dad had a schoolmate that was pulled over for no SMV on a big IH tractor. She explained to the officer that she needed none. He gave her a ticket. In court the judge agreed with her but had her drive her tractor while an officer ran radar on her. She one. All in all she would have been ahead to pay the fine but that generation put a lot of stock in principals.
Jay
"SMV signs are required by law on farm machinery and equipment traveling on roadways at speeds of 25 m.p.h. or less and must be visible for at least 500 feet to the rear. In Ohio, approved SMV signs have a front label identifying the manufacturer and documenting that the sign meets the American Society of Agricultural Engineers' (ASAE) standards for durability and longevity.
Properly mounted, the sign is centered, two to six feet above the ground, pointed up and in a place perpendicular to the direction of travel."
My Dad had a schoolmate that was pulled over for no SMV on a big IH tractor. She explained to the officer that she needed none. He gave her a ticket. In court the judge agreed with her but had her drive her tractor while an officer ran radar on her. She one. All in all she would have been ahead to pay the fine but that generation put a lot of stock in principals.
Jay
GeneMO
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pilot Grove, Mo.
I have several older grain trucks/PU trucks that I put "Historic" plates on. They have to be over 25 years old, but the tags are lifetime and no inspection or renewals. Sure saved a lot of hassle.
There is a limit as to how far I drive em, but I dont ever exceed that.
Gene
There is a limit as to how far I drive em, but I dont ever exceed that.
Gene
john in la
Well-known Member
DoubleR
Actually it is 24.85485 mph
Most publications just round it to 25 mph.
http://nasdonline.org/document/1658/d001533/changes-to-the-use-of-the-slow-moving.html
The problem comes in when you can find the old rules (some were 35 mph) and the new rule (40 km/h) on the web from the same state. Really gets confusing if you only look at one publication.
Then many will confuse the new laws that make a new class of vehicles called "low-speed vehicles"
This law has nothing to do with SMV signs but rather address the conflict created with faster golf carts and such to keep them out of motor vehicle (car and trucks) federal laws.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/lsv/lsv.html
Actually it is 24.85485 mph
Most publications just round it to 25 mph.
http://nasdonline.org/document/1658/d001533/changes-to-the-use-of-the-slow-moving.html
The problem comes in when you can find the old rules (some were 35 mph) and the new rule (40 km/h) on the web from the same state. Really gets confusing if you only look at one publication.
Then many will confuse the new laws that make a new class of vehicles called "low-speed vehicles"
This law has nothing to do with SMV signs but rather address the conflict created with faster golf carts and such to keep them out of motor vehicle (car and trucks) federal laws.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/lsv/lsv.html
Im in New York & its not that old of a Jeep, id say 10 yrs old or so, its just beat to heck like every thing else this guy has. I have great respect for farmers & the work they do, but this guy is a little shady & is not well liked & respected in the neighbor hood for maney reasons. I think he's just using the SMV sign so he doesnt have to pay for reg, plates, ins, & so on.
I guess it all depends on your state. In New Jersey, tractors, combines and other SP equipment do not need plates (anymore, used to at one time.) But even if it has a sprayer, feed mixer or spreader box on it, a truck is a truck and if it's being used on the road has to have at least a Farm Use plate. Gators, Mules, ATVS are not legal to run on the road as they are not classified by New Jersey as agricultural vehicles nor can they be registered for a plate. Mini-trucks do not meet state standards for road use so they can't be registered either. Rules can be much different in other states.
Pair-a-dice farm
Well-known Member
In Arkansas as long as he kept liability insurance on the Jeep and stayed off of major highways, he probably would never be ticketed. Most of the farmers here go from field to field on a UTV and have a SMV sign as well as turn signals and lights. What gets me are the skinny guys and gals that ride their bicycles on the highways. I've seen them just before good daylight wearing black. It's just dumb and if you hit one it probably would be your fault.
As far as tractors and such that go faster than the traditional smv speed limit, they can run an smv but also have to have a second decal that has their top speed in black inside a white circle. If they go faster than the to speed listed they can get a ticket.
Donovan from Wisconsin
Donovan from Wisconsin
In NY the guy with the jeep was absolutely illegal. That being said many many farmers do that with old trucks jeeps ATV motorcycles and gators every day and are not bothered. Most stay on town and county roads and will use state roads for very short distances. Not legal but as long as you are just between fields or farms most LEOs just turn a bling eye. I have never seen one of these rigs in town or at the feed mill.
I do not have a heavy trailer and a couple of times I have hitched a hay rack to my truck to pick up a load of building supplies. Also illegal,but a wagon is not a trailer! Maybe just luck,but I wasn't pulled over either time I did it.
I do not have a heavy trailer and a couple of times I have hitched a hay rack to my truck to pick up a load of building supplies. Also illegal,but a wagon is not a trailer! Maybe just luck,but I wasn't pulled over either time I did it.
In Ohio the SMV has always been 25 MPH, they do have a different sign for the fast trac tractors that is for under 45 MPH but I have never seen one. And all motor vehicals have to have tags and insurance. If a piece of machinery is designed to be able to be safly towed behind a truck at over 25 MPH then you do not have to have the SMV but towed by a tractor it does have to have that SMV. Farm trailers can get by with the SMV as long as you are driving under 25, non farm trailers must have tags no mater the size.
Hey Leroy, do you have any documentation or websites that explain this?
I found this one and it does not address a speed limit. We have a two wheel trailer to haul pigs in and I was and still am not real sure of the status. It is wired for lights and turn signals.
https://ohioaglaw.wordpress.com/tag/license-plates-exemptions/
I found this one and it does not address a speed limit. We have a two wheel trailer to haul pigs in and I was and still am not real sure of the status. It is wired for lights and turn signals.
https://ohioaglaw.wordpress.com/tag/license-plates-exemptions/
I can remember when those signs came out and the Farm Journal showed you how to make your own! My dad made a couple of them out of hommesote? and I painted them with that new fangle orange glowey paint! Put them on the back of the feed wagons. I just put one on my new CUB toy tractor so I can run around on the back streets. Looks kind of cute though.
jim castleman
Member
A motorized vehicle that needs plated has to have their own liability policy to be driven on public roads, at least in
Indiana. Any towed trailer, wagon, etc. will be covered by the vehicles's liability towing it. Farm tractors in this
state do not require a title, registration, or plate.
pat sublett
Well-known Member
Have a neighbor, moved here from Louisiana about 5 years ago. Nice guy 5 kids, drives an old GM minivan. Car got hot. I checked it with a pressure gauge and the radiator had a leak. It is about 25 miles to town so I offered to haul it for him. When I was untying it, I noticed the inspection sticker on it was from Louisiana and was dated 2012. I went around to the back and it had Louisiana license on it, expired in 2011. It stays in the garage with the door closed when he is home but he drives that thing every day on the interstate and frequently to Ft Worth and Dallas. If it was me, I would be in jail.
As a retired NYS Trooper, no, he's not entirely legal in NYS. But there's enough gray area in the wording of some laws (NYS has multiple laws that conflict with one another) to give a lot of people the impression that it might be legal...sort of. The definition of "implement of husbandry" can be read so as to give the impression that an old field truck could fall under it. Currently, or at least as of when I retired, it wasn't quite legal. But if someone challenges the current wording it could become legal.
The bigger question, to me at least, is if he's a danger to anyone else and if not, then what business is it of ours? Technically speaking we all do a lot of stuff that probably isn't entirely legal. Adultery, for instance, is a misdemeanor crime in NYS. When is the last time anyone was prosecuted for that? Sometimes it's best to just mind your own business unless what is happening directly affects you.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Usually that only works in Ontario if the vehicle has been modified to a purpose built farm machine to haul feed etc. Eg gravity bins, feed mixer body, round bale hauling etc.
All brakes, lights etc still has to work and be up to the standards that a licensed highway vehicles would have to meet. Don't get caught exceeding 25mph with the smv.
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