Lites On Tractors, Implements, Trailers With Brake

If during daylite hours, then a single lamp with using hand signals and brakes. Nothing said about the use of reflective triangles but does meet the single lamp reflective requirement. Now that is if you can see the hand signals, if not then turn signals are required.

What got me was that a implement trailer is required to have brakes if it weighs more than 3000lbs upto 6000lbs on the wheels of one axle. They also want a brake away connection.

The second one was the turn signals and stop lites on tractors.

What brought this up is our County Sherrif is going to start enforcing the rules on our water and cotton trailers in my area. Most of us have to haul water and they have been letting the requiremnt slide by for years, so now it's going to be expensive to haul water 3 miles on dirt roads.

Is this common requirement in other areas?

T_Bone

Check on the effective date of these laws. There is the matter of ex post facto laws and the grandfathering that results.

If I was using this truck under different circumstances, then I would carry libility insurance. As it is I generaly don't see anyone on this 3 mile round trip as we live in the country thats not very populated where I live, so yes, I'm self insured.

T_Bone

Around here your trailer would be required to have lights even during daylight, unless the tow vehicle lights are easily seen. Brakes functioning only if they are on the trailer. If it was made without brakes, none required. Turn signals are the same, if present they must work. Whole lot of farm tractors here that have no brake lights. Flashers or SMV triangle is required.

That retrofitting is going to be very expensive. Are you thinking about buying a tanker truck for yourself and your neighbors?

Na it won't effect me as I use a 2-1/2 ton Dodge water truck. It doesn't have to be registered or carry insurrance like a normal truck for hi-way useage.

But it sure will effect alot of people that can't afford it. There's 500 members in our community well system.

I've just never heard of turn signals on a tractor tho and the tractors that I see on road into town, I've never seen one with turn signals or stop lites.

I would bet a couple cotton farmers are going to be tweaked with the new enforcement as I've never seen a cotton trailer with brakes.

I've lived here for twenty years and only have heard of one minor accident involving a water trailer and that was because the car ran the stop sign. Most water trailers that I've seen travel about 20mph.

T_Bone

That's interesting. I've never been to an equipment show, but I've seen a lot of turn signals on tractors. My 15 yr old Japanese CUT has them. Makes for twin flashers and me more comfortable on a road. Brake lights are another matter, and considering tractor speed, I don't see much point.