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Safety with farm implements on the road

Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 10:18 AM

By Kurt Lanzone, Purdue Ag and Natural Resources Educator, Parke County

This can be one of the most dangerous times in the farming operation.

Harvest is officially here for many of our producers.  With fall harvest comes an increase in the amount of large farm implements, and trucks on our roads.  Many people grumble at the sight of an implement, or even an Amish buggy slowing down their trip. 

All of these items have to use the road just the same as everyday drivers to get to their destination.  Keep an eye for Slow Moving Vehicle Signs (SMVs) .

You might ask what an SMV is?  A Slow Moving Vehicle sign is a triangle shaped sign that is orange with red trim mounted to the rear of the tractor, or slow moving vehicle traveling at speeds less than 25 mph.  According to Indiana Code 9-21-9-6 SMVs are required on these vehicles, and if the implement blocks the view of the sign on the tractor there must also be one on the implement.  Along with an SMV it is required that all equipment built after July 1, 2006 have warning lights and reflectors.  These are expected to be in good working order. 

Another hot topic that always comes up is the “Three Car Rule”.  This rule covers impeding traffic to where more that three cars are backed up behind the slow vehicle.  This is covered under Indiana Code 9-21-5-7   The Indiana Code states that person may not drive to where three or more vehicles are blocked and can not pass on the left, shall give right-of-way to other vehicles by pulling to the right of the right lane at the earliest reasonable opportunity to allow the blocked vehicles to pass.  The key to this is the earliest reasonable opportunity.  There are not a lot of places to pull over a large combine, or tractor with grain cart on our highways.  It is quite a feat to maneuver a large combine, and even some of our large grain carts to begin with.  Let alone find a place to pull it off the side of the road on Highway 36.  It is a very stressful situation to begin with, and showing road rage to a producer does not help the situation.  Please just take a deep breath, and let the producers do their best to maneuver their equipment to the fields, and bring in the bountiful harvest of their work.  

One last thing to mention is, this can be one of the most dangerous times in the farming operation.  There is a lot of hazards present that have to be dealt with.  You will see many producers move their implements at times of low traffic, and times of good visibility.  Sometimes this is unavoidable.  I will remind all of our producers to wear their safety belts while operating their equipment.  I have seen many times where a safety belt would help keep the operator in their seat, and keep better control of their equipment.  If there is an accident the belt is designed to keep the operator contained in the operator’s station, and not out through the glass or banging around the cab.

Remember, we have all been told time and time again that we must share the roads, this fall harvest season, slow down keep your eyes on the road and watch out for each other.  Let’s help make this fall a safe and enjoyable one!

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