Wearing seat belts on tractors

Larry EC-OH · Feb 26, 2014

The friendly discussion yesterday on seat belts got me to thinking, and NO I'm not trying to stir the pot.

If I drive a tractor on a public road AND it's equipped with a seatbelt can I be "busted" if I'm not wearing it?

I have a JD2030 and it did not originally have ROPS. I purchased ROPS, installed the kit which of course included the seatbelt. I do wear the seatbelt when operating on rolling ground, but hadn't given much thought to wearing it on public roads.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Larry

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 26, 2014

I have been told that if you have ROPS the safest thing is to wear a
seat belt but if you don't have ROPS the best plan is not to wear
one. I don't know about the legalities, though.
Zach

Bryce Frazier · Feb 26, 2014

The sad thing is, is that our neighbor was killed because of a seat belt. He had a Ford 5000, and he was "Mr Safety" so he installed a seat belt on it. It did NOT have rops, and one day he rolled it and rather than maybe being able to get away from it, it slammed him into the ground and basically crushed him right there. Couldn't believe it when I heard it...

I don't think I would worry about the seat belt for legalities, but if someone else were to hit you I think it might come in handy! Bryce

MSS3020 · Feb 26, 2014

My 3020 has wide front does not have nor would I consider adding seat belt UNLESS i had put ROPS on. If it had a narrow or trike front end prob might consider it as my place is terraced. My Dads massy has it but I dont wear the belt while running. Mostly use his tractor while haying his ground and a neighbors. Mostly flat not a huge issue.

Ken Macfarlane · Feb 26, 2014

That is the rule of thumb. Seems the rops nails a lot of folks during roll over with no belt. Neighbour got smacked by his when he rolled, he was very close to being pinned.

Brian in MO · Feb 26, 2014

I don't know about the legal end of it but my guess would be
since it is not a licensed vehicle and is only being used on the
road to get from field to field that not using the seat belt would
not be problem. At least in MO there is a lot of "forgiveness"
for farmers and equipment.

gwstang · Feb 26, 2014

No more than a motorcycle or 4-wheeler needs a seat-belt.

in-too-deep · Feb 26, 2014

I would always wear one when roading. Not so much for the police, but if somebody runs into me with a vehicle, I won't get thrown through the glass and run over. Also light up all the blinkers and lights and beacons in broad daylight I could so they couldn't sue me for not being visible.

Bob Bancroft · Feb 26, 2014

Good idea on the lights. I do the same. Earlier this winter a local farmer pulled his tractor into a seasonally closed road(but an established snowmobile trail) and stopped to close a gate. This was right at sunset. Drunk snowmobiler comes along and runs into tractor, killing himself.

Unfortunately, I think he was old enough to have recreated himself.

Farmer was ticketed for inadequate lighting and improper parking/blocking right of way.

Mike (WA) · Feb 26, 2014

Yep, the theory is if you have ROPS, you want to stay on the tractor so the ROPS can protect you. Without ROPS, you at least want the chance to be thrown free, because if you're belted to the tractor, you're pretty much a sure goner, like the fellow Bryce mentioned.

J. Everett · Feb 26, 2014

Yes, I agree with everything so far, but...In the industrial and or mineing areas, if you'r on the machine you are obligated to have the belt on, and can have very serious fines associated if not worn. Like the sign says, "Click it or ticket". Also related...what about liability/medical insurance coverage if not worn...better read the insurance policy for coverage issues.

jwmfarms · Feb 26, 2014

Fellow near here was mowing next to a bank. Compact tractor, loader up, ROPS w/canopy, but not wearing his seat belt. When his wife found the overturned tractor, the ROPS was resting on his head. He was already dead. I KNOW he was told to wear it, because I was there when the dealer told him what could happen.

Bryce Frazier · Feb 26, 2014

That is exactly what this guy was doing... He was running a 6 foot brush hog along the side of the road, and fell off of the bank, it was probably about 3 - 5 feet, but that is plenty to make a tractor flip....

Because it didn't have rops the tractor went all the way over and was upside down on top of him. I would think that if he wasn't buckled up, the outward force of the tractor rolling would have thrown him clear of the tractor... Bryce

T in NE · Feb 26, 2014

Guess if he ran into the closed gate and killed himself that"d be just A-OK.

D beatty · Feb 26, 2014

Bob people don't even respect the lights on tractor. I live on a 4 lane highway and my Farmall B has headlights,red and amber lights, a revolving amber light + the SMV sign and do you think they will get over when your plowing snow along highway. They like to see how close they can get to you.

in-too-deep · Feb 26, 2014

I agree. They don't respect you any more with all the lights. But hopefully there will be a witness that said you made very effort to be seen.

Bret4207 · Feb 26, 2014

As a general rule farm tractors are not motor vehicles when used in agricultural operations in most state law. So no, you wouldn't be required to wear a seat belt on the road with your farm tractor. There may be a state with a law saying you do have to have it on, but I've never heard of anything like that.

Wearing seat belts on tractors

Larry EC-OH

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Zachary Hoyt

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Bryce Frazier

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MSS3020

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Ken Macfarlane

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Brian in MO

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gwstang

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in-too-deep

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Bob Bancroft

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Mike (WA)

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J. Everett

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jwmfarms

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Bryce Frazier

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T in NE

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D beatty

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in-too-deep

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Bret4207

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