Pa. revising roadway restrictions on farm vehicles

Farmers in Pennsylvania are applauding new measures they say will make their jobs easier.

The proposals would change the state vehicle code to allow wider farm equipment to take to the roads.

The parts of the vehicle code pertaining to farm equipment haven’t been changed in decades. So the code hasn’t kept pace with the advent of larger farming equipment, says Marty Yahner who farms in Cambria County.He said his farm is a classic case of an operation that needs the ability to legally drive larger, modern equipment longer distances between properties.

“We’re getting larger and picking up more land, and growing in acreage and growing in distance traveled,” he says. “The old saying is farmers need to make hay in the sunshine. Well that goes for planting and harvesting, too.”

Allowing vehicles up to 16 feet wide on the roads will help the agriculture industry, according to Mark O’Neill, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

State lawmakers have passed plans to allow wider farming equipment to operate for longer distances on the roads.

The proposals also include safety measures calling for additional lighting and escort vehicles.

Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign the legislation.