What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Question:

Good day I am wondering if you may help me please. I am a farmer, our farms are 30km apart. We need to move equipment and tractors between the farm for seasonal operations. Our tractors are licensed along with the driver. Our problem is this. Each officer we speak to has a different version of the rules of the road.

What we want to know please is how far may we travel on the road? How wide can the equipment be and what code of license is required?
Answer:

As long as the tractor has a normal licence (not a S licence in terms of reg 21 – for tractors that are normally not used on public roads) and the driver is licensed the vehicle may travel anywhere on a public road. If the vehicle has an S licence it may only cross the road within one kilometre.

There is no exemption for a driver – he must have a licence if he drives on a public road.

If the vehicle is wider than 2.6 metres the exemptions in reg 220 and 230apply.

I copy them for you.Certain vehicles exempt from certain provisions of this Part

Reg 220.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, shall, except for the provisions of regulations 149, 149A, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 210 and 212, be excluded from the provisions of this part: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

(3)       A motor vehicle manufactured before 1965 is exempt from any provisions of this Part in so far as the fitment of the equipment required in terms of this Part will alter the original design and equipment of such motor vehicle.

Certain vehicles exempt from provisions of this Part

Reg 230.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, is exempt from the provisions of this Part, except for the provisions of regulation 224: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        where such vehicle—

(i)         exceeds the overall length prescribed in regulation 221;

(ii)        encroaches beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; or

(iii)       is more than 2 comma 6 metres but less than 3 and a half metres wide,

2 flags of red cloth shall be displayed not less than 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres in such manner as to indicate its abnormal length or width and such flags shall be suspended from the vehicle transversely to the direction of travel, but the vehicle may be fitted with amber flashing lights in lieu of such flags; and

(d)        the overall width of any such vehicle shall not exceed 4 and a half metres: Provided further that when the overall width exceeds 3 and a half metres—

(i)         such vehicle shall not normally encroach beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; and

(ii)        if such vehicle does encroach beyond half the width of the roadway, 2 escort vehicles with the headlamps switched on and displaying red flags of the size prescribed in paragraph (c) or amber flashing lights shall be provided, one travelling in front and one to the rear of such vehicle;

(e)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Question:

Good day I am wondering if you may help me please. I am a farmer, our farms are 30km apart. We need to move equipment and tractors between the farm for seasonal operations. Our tractors are licensed along with the driver. Our problem is this. Each officer we speak to has a different version of the rules of the road.

What we want to know please is how far may we travel on the road? How wide can the equipment be and what code of license is required?
Answer:

As long as the tractor has a normal licence (not a S licence in terms of reg 21 – for tractors that are normally not used on public roads) and the driver is licensed the vehicle may travel anywhere on a public road. If the vehicle has an S licence it may only cross the road within one kilometre.

There is no exemption for a driver – he must have a licence if he drives on a public road.

If the vehicle is wider than 2.6 metres the exemptions in reg 220 and 230apply.

I copy them for you.Certain vehicles exempt from certain provisions of this Part

Reg 220.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, shall, except for the provisions of regulations 149, 149A, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 210 and 212, be excluded from the provisions of this part: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

(3)       A motor vehicle manufactured before 1965 is exempt from any provisions of this Part in so far as the fitment of the equipment required in terms of this Part will alter the original design and equipment of such motor vehicle.

Certain vehicles exempt from provisions of this Part

Reg 230.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, is exempt from the provisions of this Part, except for the provisions of regulation 224: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        where such vehicle—

(i)         exceeds the overall length prescribed in regulation 221;

(ii)        encroaches beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; or

(iii)       is more than 2 comma 6 metres but less than 3 and a half metres wide,

2 flags of red cloth shall be displayed not less than 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres in such manner as to indicate its abnormal length or width and such flags shall be suspended from the vehicle transversely to the direction of travel, but the vehicle may be fitted with amber flashing lights in lieu of such flags; and

(d)        the overall width of any such vehicle shall not exceed 4 and a half metres: Provided further that when the overall width exceeds 3 and a half metres—

(i)         such vehicle shall not normally encroach beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; and

(ii)        if such vehicle does encroach beyond half the width of the roadway, 2 escort vehicles with the headlamps switched on and displaying red flags of the size prescribed in paragraph (c) or amber flashing lights shall be provided, one travelling in front and one to the rear of such vehicle;

(e)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Honda Mean Mower Driven/Ridden: Yes, a 130-mph Lawn Tractor!

1st Drive Assessment

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It’;s absolutely terrifying. And we imply that in the very best way attainable.

You may possibly not be surprised to understand that there is an internationally recognized speed record for a ride-on lawn mower. Our human impulse for speed is such that there’s a record for pretty considerably something with an engine.

But you might quite effectively be surprised to understand that the record, which was set earlier this year utilizing this heavily modified Honda mower, now stands at 116 mph. Obtaining now driven it—or ridden it, or whatever—we’re flabbergasted.

A lot more than Meets the Eye—But Not Truly

Simply because this isn’t, as you might expect, a objective-built record-setting vehicle that is been produced to appear like a lawn mower. No, it is a lawn mower rebuilt to stand some opportunity of holding together at speed and with the engine from a Honda VTR Super Hawk motorcycle—but it’s nevertheless fundamentally a piece of garden machinery. It drives sufficient like a lawn tractor to make 30 mph feel positively daring and 60 mph outrageously quick. The man who drove it to a speed of almost 2 miles per minute, a British journalist named Piers Ward, clearly had either no fear or no imagination. Or a lot more most likely, none of either.

The Mower was built in the U.K. by the group that runs Honda’s cars in the British Touring Automobile Championship, Team Dynamics. It’s primarily based on a Honda HF2620 riding mower, but has been provided a new chassis made from higher-strength steel, suspension and wheels from a Honda ATV, and 4-wheel braking. The 109-hp 996-cc V-twin engine was selected for its mixture of power and the capacity to match in the space left by the regular tractor’s 20-hp V-Twin. The transmission is a bike-derived 6-speed sequential gearbox with electric actuation, and it drives an ATV rear axle via a chain. There’s no reverse gear, but as the Mower is said to weigh just 308 pounds without having a rider, it doesn’t really require a single.

One of the stipulations for the Guinness planet record is that the mower has to still be capable of cutting grass. To that end, the Imply Mower has a bolt-on fiberglass cutting deck comprehensive with 2 electric motors operated from the 12-volt electrical method and which can be separately bolted on or off as required. (It typically runs without the deck.) The company claims the Mower can reduce grass at up to 15 mph—twice the top speed of the regular HF2620. The space normally occupied by the clippings bag includes the fuel tank, radiator, and an added oil cooler.

About the Drive . . .

We aren’t going to be setting any records nowadays. The official run was carried out on the 1.2-mile-long straight at the IDIADA test track in northern Spain, even though Honda has invited us to the significantly tighter environs of the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire, England. And we’re warned that the Imply Mower doesn’t like corners—it’s been made exclusively for straightline speed.

Basically getting onto it is the 1st challenge. The regular tractor’s groundskeeper-spec seat was binned in the transformation and a Cobra racing kart seat installed in its location. The concept, of course, is to hold its occupant securely in place, especially if they’re lightweight 14-year-old F1 wannabes. But the squeeze of forcing your self into the seat (if you’re not a 14-year-old F1 wannabe) is absolutely nothing compared to the challenge of receiving your feet in proximity to the extensively spaced throttle, brake, and clutch pedals, all of which require you to practically bend your legs in half. It is like attempting to uncover a comfy driving position in a medieval torture device.

Continued…

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Honda Mean Mower Driven/Ridden: Yes, a 130-mph Lawn Tractor!