Harvest season brings more farm equipment to Michigan roads — here’s how to stay safe

The arrival of fall means leaves begin to change colors, football heralds fans to tailgates and games, and the bright, sweet flavors of apple cider and pumpkin spice tease our taste buds. It also means farmers are harvesting crops — and you may find yourself encountering farm equipment, a combine or tractor on the road during your daily commute or while driving to your family’s favorite orchard.

Often, this large equipment must operate on highways to get from farm to field or field to field. Farm equipment may be wider than one lane or, in some cases, wider than the road and travel at slow speeds, typically 10 to 15 mph. So, if you come across such a vehicle, what should you do?

According to Samantha Wolfe, the statewide agricultural occupational health educator with the AgrAbility program at Michigan State University Extension, if you approach a piece of wide farm equipment, slow down and be patient.

“The farmer understands your trip may be delayed, so they will pull off the road at the first available safe location to allow you to pass,” Wolfe said. “Road shoulders may be narrow, steep, wet or soft, so they may not be able to pull over immediately.”

Just as motorists are allowed to drive their vehicles on public roadways, farmers are legally allowed to operate farm equipment on these same roads. Caution, courtesy and patience are necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and operators of slow-moving farm equipment. Motorists and farmers have an obligation to share the road safely.

Wolfe offers these key safety tips for both drivers and those transporting farm equipment.

Safety tips for drivers approaching farm equipment:

• Pass with caution if a farmer has pulled off the road to allow you to pass or if they cannot pull off and you feel you must pass.
• Be watchful of motor vehicles behind you that may also try to pass.
• Do not pass if you must enter the oncoming traffic lane unless you can see clearly ahead of you and the vehicle you will pass.
• Do not pass if there are curves or hills ahead that may block your view of oncoming vehicles.
• Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad crossing or bridge.
• Do not assume that a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to let you pass. Due to the size of some farm implements, the farmer must use wide left-hand turns. If you are unsure, check for turn signals or operator hand signals. Also, check the left side of the road for driveways, gates or any place a farm vehicle might turn into.
• Do not assume the farmer can see you or know you are there if you are following. Most operators regularly check traffic behind them and newer farm equipment is well-equipped with mirrors. That said, the farmers must spend most of the time looking ahead to keep equipment safely on the road and watch for oncoming traffic.

Safety tips for farmers transporting wide equipment:

• Michigan law requires a slow-moving vehicle, or SMV, emblem and additional reflectors on any implement of husbandry, farm tractor, and special mobile equipment. It is required on every vehicle that has a maximum speed potential of 25 mph operated on public highways. The Michigan Farmer’s Transportation Guidebook contains additional information on the requirement for operating farm vehicles on public roads.
• Always keep the SMV emblem clean with the point of the triangle up. Replace emblem when it fades, normally every two to three years.
• Turn on your lights but turn off the rear spotlights when going onto the road. Rear spotlights can look like headlights.
• Use pilot vehicles, one in front and one in back if you are going a long distance or traveling on a heavily traveled road. Pilot vehicles should be well marked with brightly colored flags or appropriate lighting.
• Install mirrors on equipment to enable you to be aware of motorists around you. Be careful where mirrors are placed so not to obstruct vision.

“Ultimately, proceeding with caution, courtesy, patience and attention to the safety tips for motorists and farmers will help ensure the safety of motorists and the operators of slow-moving farm equipment on our rural roads during this fall harvest season,” Wolfe said.