Iowa Administrative Code › Agency 761 - Transportation Department › Vehicles › Chapter 450 - Motor Vehicle Equipment › Rule 761-450.6 - Safety Requirements for the Movement of Implements of Husbandry on a Roadway

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 3, July 24, 2024
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 husbandry
				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.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section
				  321.383.