Major Says New Transportation Laws Pertaining to Farm Equipment Benefit Pennsylvania Farmers
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) said recent legislation signed into law pertaining to vehicle laws regarding implements of husbandry will benefit family farmers.
“The General Assembly this year passed several bills that were signed into law to help assist Pennsylvania farmers,” said Major. “One package of bills signed into law in October updates laws regarding farm equipment transportation regulations. With these new laws in place, farmers will be able to more easily transport and share the use of large farm equipment. Agriculture is our state’s top industry and these laws support the growth and expansion of farm businesses.”
Previous law permitted farmers to operate agricultural equipment up to 14 feet, 6 inches wide between farms owned or operated by the same owner of the machine. However, it did not allow farmers to operate agricultural equipment on farms owned by other farmers, which is important since development near agricultural zones increases the distances between farms.
In addition, modern farm equipment is much larger than it once was, so a key part of the package increases to 16 feet the width of farm equipment allowed on roads.
The new laws also:
• Permit the transport of crops and nutrients year-round, rather than the six-month
harvest season currently in law.
• Expand the widths of farm machinery on highways for both daytime and nighttime
use.
• Authorize students to drive their tractors to school on designated days.
• Increase the size of multipurpose agricultural vehicles to qualify for registration
exemption to up to 62 inches in length and 2,000 pounds in weight.
“Updates to our laws were obviously needed to keep up with the current size of farm equipment,” said Major. “Farming is not an easy business, and I am pleased we were able to quickly get these bills into place and through the legislative process so farmers are better supported in the work they do.”
State Representative Sandra Major
111th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
tlehman@pahousegop.com
717.772.9840