| I recently received information that the following is being proposed in PA. This is coming down from US Dept of Transportation, at least that is my understanding. It is also my understanding that few other states are being targeted by this action. I am curious as to how other states deal with the issues - whether they already have similar rules in place; whether they have negotiated with US DOT to approve "other workable rules"; or ???? So I am interested in hearing your comments - how your state handles similar issues? how this would impact your farm? etc. etc. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Trouble Ahead for Pennsylvania’s Farms Excessive Farm Vehicle Restrictions and Requirements Prepared by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau 1/2010 Unless urgent action is taken in Washington and/or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau believes that the following new restrictions and requirements will be placed on all Pennsylvania farms soon after March 1, 2010 (and to the best that can be determined, only in Pennsylvania). These restrictions and requirements will apply whenever farm trucks, farm tractors, and other agricultural vehicles are used on any state or township road, including just crossing the road: 1. Persons under 18 Prohibited Anyone under 18 years of age will not be able to legally operate a farm tractor or truck if the tractor or truck is pulling another vehicle (like a farm implement or trailer) and the vehicles together weigh more than 17,000 pounds. This includes the farmer’s children. 2. Medical Certification Required Any driver on a public road of a farm tractor or truck will need to be medically tested and have a certificate declaring the driver to be “physically qualified” if the tractor or truck is pulling another vehicle and the vehicles together weigh more than 17,000 pounds. Drivers of farm trucks over 17,000 pounds will also need medical certification whenever the truck is operated more than 150 miles from the farm (even though the truck is not operated outside of PA). 3. Driver’s Logs/Employer Recordkeeping Required Drivers of trucks or tractors towing implements or farm trailers will be subject to the same ”hours of service” requirements of trucking companies and their drivers if the vehicles together weigh more than 17,000 pounds. It will include minimum periods of “break time,” limits on hours driven between breaks, along with record keeping (commonly know as drivers’ logs). Farmers will be responsible for getting and keeping records of all the paperwork that federal regulations require trucking companies to keep and maintain. 4. Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Required Drivers of farm tractors and trucks pulling another vehicle that together weigh more than 17,000 pounds will be required to conduct pre-trip inspections and complete written post-trip reports on the function of vehicle’s “safety” equipment. Inspections and reports must be filled out each day the vehicle is used. Farmers will be required to immediately repair any “defects” noted in the report. Farmers will also be required to make sure the written safety reports are being kept and keep and maintain records of all reports made. Note: The above plain language descriptions do not include all elements of the restrictions/requirements, but provide a sense of how your farm operation will be impacted. |
Farm Vehicles on Public Roads
