September 13, 2001

Remember that Farm Equipment Is Intended To Be Pulled By Tractors

Although it’s common to see farm machinery like hay rakes, big round balers, grain drills, cultivators, field disks and many others being pulled on public roads behind pickup trucks and other motor vehicles at the posted speed limits, an NDSU farm safety specialist notes the practice may involve considerable danger.

"Most owner’s and operator’s manuals include instructions on the safe towing of the machine. And, most of these manuals include a statement to the effect of ‘never tow a farm implement behind anything other than a properly sized and ballasted tractor.’ There are several reasons to support this recommendation," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service.

First, most pieces of farm machinery weigh considerably more than what the pickup is rated for as a pulled load. The braking ability of the vehicle doing the towing is less than what is needed for safe stopping in an emergency. "Pickup trucks simply do not have the weight and weight distribution needed to control the load, although they do have the ability to move the implement at greater speed than a tractor," Maher notes.

Stability is another factor. Turning on gravel roads requires the towing vehicle be heavy enough to maintain control of the towed load. The vehicle that is pulling a load such as a piece of farm machinery needs to be heavier than the pulled load. The pickup truck is not as stable as a tractor would be in making a turn or stopping while pulling a farm machine, Maher says.

Farm implements are originally equipped with specialized implement tires. These tires are designed, built, and rated for speeds of less than 20 miles per hour. "Even though they may survive a trip at speeds over 20 miles per hour, they cannot be depended on to survive many trips at higher speeds. A tractor’s maximum road speed is also the maximum speed for the tires on the implement," he says.

The slow moving vehicle sign that is often permanently mounted on implements cannot be displayed legally at speeds over 25 miles per hour. On some machinery it is difficult to cover it and keep it covered.

Maher notes that visibility while on the road is a major safety factor in moving farm machinery. "The electrical system on a farm implement is wired to be compatible with a tractor’s electrical system, and not a farm pickup or truck," he notes. "Most motor vehicles do not have the correct connector to power the implement’s lighting system. Towing farm equipment behind a pickup or truck without proper lighting and SMV signs is a hazard and illegal in most states."

"Don’t subject your employees and family members to undue, extreme risk by having them tow farm equipment with anything but a properly equipped farm tractor. Take the time needed to read the instructions under ‘towing this implement’ and then follow them. The time saved by using a pickup or truck to pull farm implements without the proper lighting is not worth the risk of a vehicle crash," Maher says.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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