🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:53:58 -0500, Dean Hoffman
<dh0496@ineINbrasVALkaID.com> wrote:

>On 8/30/04 12:07 AM, in article dtc5j017qbe15m7ts6ep1vm7dkv3fjoif1@4ax.com,
>"Hardpan" <hardpan@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Thank God!!
>> 
>> I have seen so many farmers and ranchers getting away with so many
>> safety violations over the years, putting drivers like me at risk of
>> life and limb, that I am glad this farmer was busted, as well he
>> should have been!!!
>> 
>> All these "Implements of Husbandry" execeptions for farmers have got
>> to go by the wayside, else even more innocent people will be killed on
>> America's rural roads, not to mention on our  highways, when these
>> people drive thier tractors and carryalls over Interstate highways,
>> instead of using Lowboys.
>> 
>> BTW, log-books are _required_ for anyone driving a commercial rig over
>> the 100 mile radius limit, in state or out.
>> 
>> Hardpan
>
>     I agree with at least part of your post.  Farmers are awful careless
>about safety.  A lot of the hazards are right on the farm putting the farmer
>himself and his family at unnecessary risk.

And his employees as well, lets not forget.


> Over interstate highways or on interstate highways?  It's already
>against the law for farm and construction equipment to be on the
>interstates.  I've never seen a farmer driving his equipment down an
>interstate.

Not in California it isn't, friend.

I have seen this lots and lots of times over the last 30 years. 

Most often on the I-5 hwy at the Vietnam Veterans Bridge, going across
the Sacramento river in California, past the Sac Int Airport.

Many trucks have jackknifed going over the top and staring down at a
tractor (farm tractor, going 15 or 20 MPH tops) and slamming on the
binders.. HARD !

A few have gone over the bridge and down into the river. 

Most get held up on the railing and have to pay for the damages, all
caused  by a stupid farmer who was too cheap to use a low-boy.


>   Equipment with working lights and SMV signs should be enough warning for
>drivers.   It's not like John Deeres are hiding in the bushes waiting to
>attack.  People driving in rural areas need to keep their eyes open.  It's
>not any different than driving past a playground or school in town.

BS!!! 

You know kids can run out in front of you near a school so you slow
down and keep your foot near the brake.


>  My one real gripe is farmers having wide equipment with no lights on the
>ends.  It's not a problem during daylight.   Some fools will run down the
>road at night expecting oncoming drivers to see that dark toolbar while
>facing field lights.

Yeah, my most fond memory was reading and looking a a picture of a
DEAD car driver in the CHP magazine who was struck dead by a farmer
pulling a Carryall with a long field disk suspended on the chains. 

The young man that was killed has no idea what was coming because it
was DARK outside, and the farmer was breaking the law by pulling this
equipment at night.

The disks sticking out away from the carry-all cleanly cut the roof
column and much of his head right off !!!

He never saw it coming ! 
.

>  There really aren't that many accidents involving farm equipment and
>vehicles.  I remember one.

Funny that. 

I have seen way too many pictures of DEAD people that were killed by
farm equipment, driven in the road, in the editions of the California
Highway Patrol magazine. 

>  How do you suggest farmers move their equipment if not by driving it from
>field to field?

Well, doing it in daylight for one thing. If the field is more then a
mile or two away, use a Lowboy. 

BTW, ever see the farmers out in CA pulling a 500 or 1000 gallon fuel
tank mounted on a wagon, chock full of diesel fuel at 7.5 pounds per
gallon, from one location to another?

No permit, no logs, not even any  trailer BRAKES required, no nothing.

No wonder so many innocent people die, while we truckers get reamed
every chance the DOT guys want to " Crack down on those damn
truckers"!!

Yeah, ya gotta love "Implements of Husbandry" clauses all the farmers
have protecting them.........NOT!!!!!!

Too bad for the ignorant motoring public, huh ? 

Meanwhile, we truckers get raked over the coals for minor infractions.

Nice deal, huh ?