State reviews revising fast-tractor road rules

The Ohio House unanimously approved the bill in early May.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — Allowing so-called fast tractors to be driven at their designed speeds would make the roads safer for farmers, and the motoring public and could potentially drive down prices for the high-tech equipment, agricultural advocates told lawmakers Tuesday.

“Most of you are aware that Ohio’s farmers are in a daily struggle to remain competitive in a world marketplace,” said John Fitzpatrick, organizational director for farm bureaus in Wayne, Ashland and Medina counties. “To do so, they must operate their farms in the most efficient, cost-effective manner as possible.

“Staying abreast of technological advances and implementing those advances most applicable to each operation is part of keeping that competitive edge.”

Fitzpatrick spoke in favor of legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Carmichael that would allow fast tractors to be driven at the manufacturer’s recommended speed and stipulates that anyone driving implements faster than 25 mph have a valid driver’s or commercial operating license.

The Wooster Republican offered comparable legislation last session, but there was not enough time to complete the deliberation process.

The Ohio House unanimously approved the bill in early May; and testimony was offered Tuesday before the Senate’s Highways and Transportation Committee.

Carmichael is hopeful the bill will be voted out of committee and be subject to final floor action before the end of the month, when lawmakers will recess for the summer.

Current law

Under current state law, agricultural machinery is exempt from rules and regulations affecting other motor vehicles.

According to an analysis conducted by the state’s Legislative Service Commission, such farm equipment can be operated by drivers who don’t have valid licenses, though implements cannot be maneuvered at speeds greater than 25mph.

Carmichael’s bill would require farm machinery capable for being operated at speeds greater than 25 mph to display a special speed identification symbol.

Additionally, operators taking the equipment on public roads would need valid driver’s or commercial driver’s licenses and ensure they have “reasonable control” over the vehicles.

Violators would face misdemeanor charges.

Carmichael, citing numbers gathered from dealerships that sell fast-moving tractors, said upward of 165 are in use in Ohio.

Safer, a farmer says

Roger Baker, who farms 1,500 acres of hay, wheat, soybeans, corn and oats west of Wooster on U.S. Route 250, told committee members that he has operated fast tractors since the late 1990s.

“I find them to be more productive, safer and produce less fatigue to the operators,” he said.

Being able to drive at faster speeds will make roads safer, he added.

“At lower speeds, more chances were taken by motorists and considerable road rage [was] directed at us than now,” he said. “We, as operators, feel more comfortable because of the safety that these tractors bring us.”

Fitzpatrick added that allowing the tractors to travel at their designed speed could lead to a more competitive marketplace for the implements.

The proposed legislation “would open the market so that competition would bring down the cost of the equipment and make it affordable for most farming operations,” he said.