Web site link:
http://www.wfbf.com/archivej/htmArchive/showPage.aspx?page=15735.htm&id=15735
Contact: Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Public Affairs, 608-828-5708
MADISON – The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is reminding farmers and motorists that fall harvest weight limits take effect from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
“With the fall harvest just around the corner, farmers should note that state law allows an increase in normal weight limits for when crops are hauled from the field to their first point of storage,” said Paul Zimmerman, Farm Bureau’s Executive Director of Public Affairs.
That means an overweight truck permit is not required for the transportation of corn, soybeans, potatoes, vegetables or cranberries from the field to initial storage, or from the field to the initial processing point. This applies if the vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more and if the vehicles do not exceed weight limits by more than 15 percent.
“In the past, the state Agriculture Department had to request the Department of Transportation to declare a ‘harvest emergency’ to allow the increased weight limits. This happened on such a regular basis that the law was eventually changed to reflect this need,” Zimmerman said.
This exception does not apply on Class “B” highways or on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.
“Farmers should check with local law enforcement officials to make sure there are not special restrictions on roads and bridges they may be using,” Zimmerman said.
