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Walla
Walla Agriculture HIGHWAY
TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT:
PREVENTING PUBLIC ROAD ACCIDENTS
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- Outdated Equipment – Some older equipment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
- 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.
- Maintain equipment properly.
- 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:
- Two white headlights on front.
- Two flashing amber lights in both front and rear. These can
be used as signal lights as well.
- At least one red taillight on rear left.
- Two red reflectors that are visible from the rear.
- 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.
- Clean off windshields and lights.
- Use slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) signs.
- 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.
- Be aware of the road conditions. Know where the hazards exist
before you start.
- 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.
- Do not allow extra riders at any time for any reason.
- Go down a steep hill in the same gear that you use to go up
the hill.
- Securely tie down equipment and loads. Slow down around curves.
- When towing equipment, use safety chains and the proper size
ball and hitch assembly.
- Lock tractor brake pedals together to ensure adequate braking
on both wheels.
- Maintain speeds that are appropriate for the area, the road
and traffic conditions, and the time of the year.
- Raise hydraulic wings and lock them in place. Relocate hitch
points, remove headers, and make equipment narrower for the road.
- Assist large machines with pilot vehicles equipped with flashing
amber lights and signs warning of an oversized load.
- Drive slow moving vehicles as far right as possible but stay
on the road.
- Motorists may try to pass in hazardous situations.
- The shoulder may be soft causing the operator to lose control.
- 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. To download your
free copy in PDF, go to http://pubs.wsu.edu
and type PNW0512 in the search box. For a copy in Spanish,
Serie "Seguridad en la granja", type in PNW0512S.
Compiled by John Fouts. For more information, contact WSU Extension
at (509) 524-2685 or email John at fouts@wsu.edu
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