Hiring a truck to move my trailer

Well the consensus seems to be that I can use the farm tags to move the equipment between our properties, and that if we're going to go out and do some off and on for profit work then I can just deliver the machines myself.

So with that being said a couple of questions:

1) my main question is what happens if somehow some way I'm caught moving a machine to a job site, and they tell me that I'm supposed to be commercial.

Does anyone know is that just improper use of farm tags as someone else said, or is that the whole you're working for profit we're going to fine you tens of thousands of dollars because you're not in compliance, etc etc?

2) is there a way that I can lease the truck onto his farm so that I can get Farm plates?

3) I hadn't thought about this before but my brother and I both buy trucks and equipment.

I suppose it's possible that we could find something old and interesting that is out of state. Can I go out of state to pick something up with a farm tag? If not that's okay, but I'd like to know what I can do.

By the way for anyone reading this that doesn't know, I reside in the state of pennsylvania.

 

I’ll preface all this to say that I know nothing about PA laws, just TN, but I have found out that most states are often similar with their laws.

1) They will probably write you a ticket. Likely not a huge ticket in the thousands of dollars.

2) I guess maybe you could lease your truck to the farm, but I don’t see anything preventing you from just getting farm plates in your name. I know of plenty of farmers that may live in town and not actually own a farm (they rent or lease their farm ground). You’ll just have to file a schedule F on your taxes to write off any of the truck expenses.

3) Out of state travel with farm plates can get dicey. I know some states do have agreements in place with neighboring states to recognize their farm plated trucks (to allow farmers to cross state lines to sell their goods), but that varies. I would think worst case would be you’d have to buy temporary fuel and trip permits for the other states you’ll be going into, and expect to get checked at every scale you cross (yes, you better pull into any coops).

 

Dino soar,

I am also Pennsylvania based and our farm plates are very restricted.
Farm Vehicles

If caught using them incorrectly the police have the authority to impound the vehicle for being unregistered, write a weight violation as if you were overweight by the entire amount your truck, trailer and load weigh and charge you with other motor carrier related violations.

PA farm plates are not recognized out of state in most cases, so you would likely not be able to leave Pennsylvania. There may even be tax violations if you are claiming the sales, use and fuel tax exemptions and are found to not be lawfully doing so.

It is also unclear if hauling machinery is a permitted use of PA farm plates. They seem to not mention equipment, simply hauling ag products.

I am not a farm specialist, you know I stick to specialized transport in the automotive, towing and hotshot industries, however I don't think the risk is worth the rewards.

There may even be insurance issues should you have a wreck, even not at fault, and it is proven you were not operating lawfully as a farm vehicle. They could deny the claim, leaving you and your brother on the hook for the damages and losses.

Lastly, the PA Code speaks of ownership without any leasing information so I am not sure if a farm can lease on a truck it does not own, like an owner operator, then put farm plates on it.

 

What you say makes a lot of sense and I think that I may try to find a consultant that understands the farm plate situation in Pennsylvania.

I would like to ask you Brian and anyone else, someone told me there are a lot of triaxle dump trucks in Pennsylvania running around with Farm plates.

Unless they are bringing Stone back to the farm, how are these guys using their trucks commercially with those plates? If they pull a load of stone for anyone else aren't they in trouble?

 

I've heard that too but haven't witnessed it first hand. In my area we have several quaries but they watch closely for that stuff and the motor carrier enforcement folks like to sit near the quarries and harrass dump trucks. I could see it happening in the farm heavy parts of the state, less MCE action and more farm trucks on the road so the law of averages would allow more to slip by unnoticed.

 

Hauling commercially with farm tags usually works until it doesn’t.

Example: A guy up home in SD was running county tags and got away with it right up to the point he dropped his trailer off the edge of the road and dumped a load of cattle on it’s side. That’s when he and the person who hired him for cheap found out that his farm insurance won’t pay for other people’s dead livestock.

Edit: want to clarify this wasn’t directed at Dino but to the comment about rock trucks with farm tags.

 

I had Arkansas farm plates with the truck on my IFTA account. We were backgrounding a lot of calves back then. Mind you they were not ours but did get picked up and taken to our farm as well as come off our place going to the feed lot. I’m certain there was a few loads that fit that description very loosely. That was something I didn’t make a habit out of but it was more my moral compass than having problems outta state. There was no proof asked for or provided we actually had ground rented or leased. Arkansas lets everyone and their brothers dog run a farm plate to haul for hire……except a dump truck hauling rock or sand then it’s your booty. A very simple yes sir Mr. DOT man this is my dozer we just rented a place over here close to so and so we’re gonna start pushing brush and planting food plots. Yea that’s a farm too no law bout gotta be profitable. Who is gonna carry documentation of their business for a roadside. Key is don’t talk to much, play dumb and never admit to anything out right. If he bust photo evidence out just politely ask who da hell you gonna believe me or your lying ### eyes.

Every state is different, issues with an accident and not being insured properly could arise absolutely. I’ve seen it go both ways in different roll overs. I’ve seen over zealous DOT guys brow beat a confession (so to speak) out of a hired driver and seen others stick to their guns.

If you’re gonna run commercial insurance pay the 2290, (we always paid heavy road use tax) all you’ll really save is around 1500 a year difference in the cost of the plate. (Arkansas 125 a year for F tag up to 80k) I think my IRP plate is 1700 but I’m plated for extra in a few states. The difference is 1200 a year for insurance or a 1000 or close per month. And I’m not trying to talk into to anything either way. Certainly not being from PA i don’t know goose #### from wild honey bout how they operate. Equipment being moved as part of farm business is a legal move. Whether you’re going to town to the shop, or moving equipment to work ground a 100 miles away. Tracks aren’t allowed on the pavement so…..used to no one had a farm hoe or dozer now everyone has one each, a back hoe and a couple skid steers lol. Sure it’s splitting hairs. You may have to pay the Piper at some point. I got weighed and took back to 0 in Illinois one time. Expired irp forgot about it for 8 months. 2700 bucks but settled it for 300 with a phone call. If your handy at traveling unannounced you’ll get so far ahead of em they’ll never catch up lmao. You just gotta let the rough side drag

 

He'll probably be exempt from 2290 as I believe anything under 7500 miles per year is exempt. Still have to fill out the form, but no charge.

 

You are right. I do that on Dads and Mabel every year just in case

 

If he’s running farm plates, otherwise it’s 5,000 miles a year max.