Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-24.1

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, September 4, 2024

Rule 661-24.1 - Safety requirements for the movement of implements of husbandry on a roadway

The following standards are minimum safety requirements for the movement of implements of husbandry on a roadway.

(1)Towing standard. No power unit operated by a retail seller or manufacturer shall tow more than one implement of husbandry, except those implements of husbandry that are not self-propelled and are capable of being towed in tandem, from the manufacturer to the retail seller, from the retail seller to the farm purchaser, or from the manufacturer to the farm purchaser.

(2)Equipment standards.

a.Braking. The towing unit or self-propelled implement of husbandry operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a braking device(s) which can control the movement of and stop the vehicle(s). When the vehicle is traveling 20 miles per hour, the braking device shall be adequate to stop the vehicle or vehicles within 30 feet if the gross weight is less than 5000 pounds and 50 feet if the gross weight is 5000 pounds or more.

b.Rearview mirror. The towing vehicle or self-propelled implement of husbandry shall be equipped with a rearview mirror that reflects to the operator a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle(s). The rearview mirror equipment standard may be met by the use and installation of a temporary rearview mirror.

c.Lighting. The towing or towed vehicle, the rearmost implement of husbandry being towed in tandem, or a self-propelled implement of husbandry shall be equipped with at least one rear taillight which exhibits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. The rear taillight equipment standard may be met by the use and installation of a temporary rear taillight. If an implement of husbandry is being towed by a vehicle which is equipped with brake lights, the towed unit must also have brake lights, constructed and located on the implement of husbandry so as to give a signal of intention to stop. The light shall be red or yellow in color. The signal shall be plainly visible in normal sunlight and at night from a distance of 100 feet to the rear and may be met by the use and installation of a temporary light.

d.Turn signal. The towing or towed vehicle, the rearmost implement of husbandry being towed in tandem, or a self-propelled implement of husbandry shall be equipped with a turn-signal device that operates in conjunction with or separately from the rear taillight. The signal shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 100 feet to the rear. The turn-signal device equipment standard may be met by the use and installation of a temporary turn-signal device.

e.Tires. Pneumatic tires shall not be used if any part of the ply or cord is exposed; if there is any bump, bulge, or separation; if there is a tread design depth of less than one-sixteenth inch; if there is marking "not for highway use" or "unsafe for highway use."

f.Warning devices. A towing vehicle or self-propelled implement of husbbandry shall be equipped with flares, red reflectors or reflective triangles if operated after sunset and before sunrise.

g.Drawbar. When one vehicle is towing another vehicle, the drawbar shall be of sufficient strength to pull the weight towed and shall be fastened to the frame of the towing unit so as to prevent sidesway. In addition to the principal connection there shall be a safety chain which shall be fastened so it is capable of holding the towed vehicle if the principal connection fails.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-24.1

ARC 3108C, IAB 6/7/17, effective 7/12/2017; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 8/7/2024