How to Safely Operate a Tractor on the Road

Tractors are big, slow, and unwieldy, which can make them a nightmare to operate on public roads. Unfortunately, there are times when you will have no choice but to take your tractor out on the roadways. We here at Boehm Tractor Sales want our customers to be safe, and that’s why our experts have created this helpful guide to safely operating your tractor on the road.

1. Visibility is Important

In some ways, operating a tractor on a public road is like driving the world’s slowest semi-truck. You have to deal with the same difficulties of maintaining visibility and much faster moving cars that want to pass you. Given how large and unwieldy a tractor can be, most of your attention will likely be devoted to just staying on the road. However, staying aware of things like cars signaling their presence to you via headlights is also important.

2. Passing

Motorists operating faster vehicles like cars or trucks may become annoyed with having to slow down because your tractor is in the way. A vehicle that attempts to pass you too quickly can create a sudden gust of wind, which can cause your equipment to sway. You might even lose control! If you have a motorist behind you and you see a safe place to pull over, be sure to take the opportunity to let them pass.

3. Signal Others

If you plan to operate your tractor on a public road, it should be equipped with a bright orange triangle and flashing lights to ensure that no one accidentally rear-ends you. These kinds of rear-end collisions are the most common type of tractor-related road accidents, and they often result in fatalities.

4. Understand Your Limitations

Your tractor is built for raw power, not agility. Relative to other vehicles, your tractor takes very wide turns and is vulnerable to being tipped by uneven terrain. Even if it appears that a tractor has enough room to move over, that might not be the case. In some cases, you might not be able to drive as close to the shoulder as you would prefer.

Shop our inventory of new and pre-owned tractors at Boehm Tractor Sales. Our dealership in Shiner, Texas offers convenient access to communities like Seguin and Austin, Texas. We also offer parts ordering, servicing, and financing, so visit us for all your tractor needs.