Karen GefvertDirector of Governmental

RelationsWisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Implements of Husbandry

Implements of Husbandry• Implements of Husbandry (IOH) legislation

has been introduced by Senator Petrowski and Representative Ripp

• SB 509 & AB 648• Generally based upon DOT task force report• Finding a balance between farmers and

towns & counties responsibility for maintaining roads

Why Legislation is Needed• Increased enforcement – This has increased over the last couple of years– Primarily for weight– Some enforcement for length & width– Modified IOH that look like Commercial Motor

Vehicles • Do nothing is not a preferred option– Pictures

IOH• Efficiency, Modernization & Competition• Today’s Farm Machinery– Four wheel drive tractors, articulated 8-wheeler

tractor, grain harvester-combine, tillage equipment, planting equipment, grain carts, 2 axle 5000G Manure Tanker, 3 axle 6300G Manure Tanker

What is current law?• Gross Vehicle Weight– 80,000 pounds

• Axle Weight– 20,000 pounds

• Width– No limitation for IOH– CMV is 8’ 6”

• Length– Single IOH = 40’– Double IOH = 70’– Triple IOH = 60’

• Height– No maximum– Must clear route

Four Wheel Drive Tractor

• Axles – 2• Axle spacing – 10’• Actual Gr Wt – 30,000 -

35,000#• Legal Gr Wt – 40,000#

Articulated “8 Wheeler” Tractor

• Axles – 2• Axle spacing – 12’• Actual Gr Wt – 50,000-

55,000#• Legal Gr Wt – 40,000#

Grain Harvester - Combine

• Axles – 2• Axle spacing – 10’• Actual Gr Wt – 40,000# -

55,000# • Legal Gr Wt – 40,000#

Tillage Equipment

• Axles – 3• Axle spacing – 27-30’• Actual Gr Wt– Small tractor = 55,000#– Large tractor = 74,000#

• Legal Gr Wt – 56,000 – 58,500#

– Tillage implements come in many sizes but most fold to 15’ width for road travel

– Some may have knives or shanks that exceed 15’ width

Tillage Equipment

Planting Equipment

• Axles – 3• Axle spacing – 27-30’• Actual Gr Wt– Small Unit <12 row• 59,000#

– Large Unit >12 row• 80,000#

• Legal Gr Wt – 56,000 – 58,500#

Grain Cart

• Axles – 3• Axle spacing – 27-30’• Actual Gr Wt: (1,000 bu corn)

– Grain cart empty = 12,000#– Grain cart full = 62,000#– Small tractor = 92,000 – 97,000#– Large tractor = 112,000 –

117,000#• Legal Gr Wt – 56,000 – 58,500#

2 Axle 5000G Manure Tanker

• Axles – 4• Axle spacing – 32’• Actual Gr Wt– Tanker Empty = 10,000 -

12,000# (estimate)– Tanker Full = 85,000 – 87,000#– Tanker Full with 4 wheel drive

tractor = 115,000 – 122,000#• Legal Gr Wt – 63,500#

3 Axle 6300G Manure Tankers• Axles – 5• Axle spacing – 37’• Actual Gr Wt– Tanker Empty = 14,000 – 16,000#– Tanker Full = 108,500 – 110,000#– Tanker Full with 4 wheel drive

tractor = 138,500 – 145,000• Legal Gr Wt –71,000#

IOH• Self propelled sprayer

IOH or CMV?

IOH or CMV?• Flotation tires on

truck mounted manure tankers make them wider than legal CMV width (8’ 6”)

• Solid manure spreaders – primarily designed to be pulled by a tractor; some are mounted on trucks.

• Some fitted with flotation tires• They can be slightly wider

than legal limit• Often modified:• Kuhn-Knight Manufacturing

Broadhead, WI• Meyer Manufacturing

Dorchester, WI

IOH or CMV?– Feed Mixer• Truck mounted• Used for multiple site

facilities• Can be very high and

wider than legal limit• Extra unloading

conveyor adds extra weight• Side discharge door

adds extra width

• What is included in the IOH legislation?• IOH & Ag CMV definitions• Size envelope– Weight• Permitting Process

– Width• Lighting & marking standards

– Height– Length

SB 509 & AB 648

SB 509 & AB 648• Updates the definition of implements of

husbandry for consistency and clarification• Creates a definition for agriculture

commercial motor vehicle (Ag – CMV)(trucks mounted with spreaders, feed mixers, etc.)(allows for self-certification for Ag-CMV)

• IOH and Ag-CMV exempt from registration

SB 509 & AB 648

• Current State law: • GVW = 80,000# • Axle Weight = 20,000#

• Proposed Legislation: • GVW = 92,000# • Axle Weight = 23,000#

15% increase for both GVW & Axles

• Current misconception that IOH are exempt from weight.• Increased size and weight of equipment• Lack of enforcement

• Bridge postings and spring thaw limitations both still apply

• Penalties– If IOH or Ag-CMV is overweight (GVW or axle)

fine based upon 80,000# and 20,000#– Fine rate based on amount of weight and

frequency of citation• Exemption for potato harvesters

SB 509 & AB 648

SB 509 & AB 648• Establishes a “no fee permit” for IOH that

exceed the weight or length limit• For self propelled equipment such as

combines and forage harvesters, local units of government must approve a route for the farmer to travel to the field – But…

• Allows for incidental movement up to a ¼ mile

SB 509 & AB 648• Permits are an area of concern• Trying to balance local road authority with

farmers’ needs to drive to the field• Ag groups proposing to exempt IOH from axle

weight limitations• This would greatly reduce the need for

permits

•Many Implements of husbandry are incidentally used on roads

SB 509 & AB 648

SB 509 & AB 648• Width• Current law has no width limitations for IOH

temporarily operated on roads and 12’ for tractors

• Legislation does not have any width limitations for IOH and Ag-CMV, but do specify lighting and marking requirements for “wide farm machinery”

SB 509 & AB 648• Lighting and marking for self-propelled IOH

12 feet or wider• Must have a yellow or amber 360º rotating

strobe or beacon mounted at the highest practical point or have two flashing amber lights visible to both the front and rear at the highest practicable point of the equipment

SB 509 & AB 648• Lighting and marking requirements for IOH

that exceed 15 feet– Two amber flashing warning lamps visible from

the front and rear– Red retro reflective material visible to the rear– Yellow retro reflective material visible to the

front– Two red tail lamps– SMV sign

• Lighting and marking requirements for IOH that exceed 20 feet• Must be accompanied by an escort vehicle

SB 509 & AB 648

SB 509 & AB 648• Lighting and marking – We cannot ignore the need for increased safety

requirements for equipment– Tell legislators what is practical for your farm

machinery

SB 509 & AB 648• Height• Current law has no height limitations for IOH• Legislation does not change this• Remember, farmers are still responsible for

damage if IOH hits a bridge or utility line• Liability concerns - collision with a utility line

that is clearly hung at a level below the legal standards

SB 509 & AB 648• Length criteria for IOH– Single IOH may not exceed 60”– Two vehicle IOH train may not exceed 100”– Three vehicle IOH train may not exceed 70”– If traveling 20 mph or less, a three vehicle IOH

may not exceed 100”– Permits required for IOH’s greater than above

SB 509 & AB 648• Miscellaneous provisions– Repeals ability for motorists to pass Ag-CMV and

IOH on the solid yellow line if traveling at less than half the posted speed limit

– Eliminated antiquated provision that limited IOH movement on the weekends (hours of operation)

Key Messages to Legislators

• Need to pass appropriate legislation to allow farm machinery to operate legally on the road

• Need to respect local authority for maintaining roads

• Explain to your legislator the type of equipment used on your farm and how these changes impact YOU!

• Ask them to support IOH legislation