Title of Rule: WAC 468-38-290 Farm implements.

Purpose: Describes the unique requirements and exemptions related to moving over-dimensional farm implements, as defined in RCW 46.44.140.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.44.090.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 46.44.140.

Summary: The rule, as adopted May 9, 2000, references an exemption to certain criteria in WAC 468-38-110 regarding the need for escort vehicle operators to be certified. Due to an amendment to WAC 468-38-110, the referenced criteria was moved from subsections (16)(a) and (b) to subsection (17).

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The amendment maintains the original intent of WAC 468-38-290 by referencing the appropriate criteria in WAC 468-38-110 at its new location.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Barry Diseth, Olympia, (360) 664-9497; and Enforcement: Capt. Colleen McIntyre, Olympia, (360) 753-0350.

Name of Proponent: Washington State Department of Transportation, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule describes the unique requirements and exemptions to other rule related to moving over-dimensional farm implements, as defined in RCW 46.44.140, on the state highways.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The amendment changes a specific reference in WAC 468-38-110 from subsections (16)(a) and (b) to subsection (17). The change is needed to maintain the original intent of the reference in WAC 468-38-290. The change is due to an amendment in WAC 468-38-110 that changed the location of the criteria referenced in WAC 468-38-290.

May 26, 2000

Gerald E. Smith, P.E.

Deputy Secretary, Operations

OTS-4101.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 199, filed 5/10/00, effective 6/10/00)

WAC 468-38-290
Farm implements.

(1) A farm implement includes any device that directly affects the production of agricultural products, including fertilizer and chemical applicator rigs and equipment auxiliary to them.      For purposes of this section, it must weigh less than forty-five thousand pounds, be less than twenty feet in width, and move on pneumatic tires, or solid rubber tracks having protuberances that will not hurt the highway, when on public highways.

(2) Self-propelled farm implements, including a farm tractor pulling no more than two implements (no vehicle capable of carrying a load may pull more than one trailing implement, i.e., a truck of any kind) up to sixteen feet wide are exempt from acquiring a special motor vehicle permit for movement: Provided, That the movement of the implement(s) complies with the following safety requirements:

(a) Oversize signs: If the farm implement exceeds ten feet wide, it must display an "oversize load" sign(s) visible to both oncoming and overtaking traffic.      Signs must comply with the requirements of WAC 468-38-190.      If the implement is both preceded and followed by escort vehicles a sign will not be required on the implement itself.

(b) Curfew/commuter hours: Movement of a farm implement in excess of ten feet wide must also comply with any published curfew or commuter hour restrictions.

(c) Red flags: If the farm implement, moving during daylight hours, exceeds ten feet wide, the vehicle configuration must display clean, bright red flags at least twelve inches square, so as to wave freely at all four corners, or extremities, of the overwidth implement and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections or overhangs.      If the transported implement exceeds the end of the trailer by more than four feet, one flag is required at the extreme rear, also, if the width of the protrusion exceeds two feet, there shall be required two flags at the rear of the protrusion to indicate the maximum width.

(d) Warning lights: Lamps, and other lighting must be in compliance with RCW 46.37.160 Hazard warning lights and reflectors on farm equipment -- Slow moving vehicle emblem.      The slow moving vehicle emblem is for equipment moving at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less.

(e) Convoys: Farm implement convoys shall maintain at least five hundred feet between vehicles to allow the traveling public room to pass safely.      If five or more vehicles become lined up behind an implement, escorted or unescorted, the driver/operator of the transported implement, and escorts, if any, shall pull off the road at the first point wide enough to allow traffic to pass safely.      Convoying of farm implements is permitted with properly equipped escort vehicles.

(f) Escort vehicles: In general, the use of escort vehicles must comply with WAC 468-38-110 Escort vehicle requirements and WAC 468-38-100, which covers when escort vehicles are required. The following specific exemptions are provided:

(i) A farmer, farm implement dealer, or agri-chemical dealer (including employees of each) is exempt from WAC 468-38-110 (5)(a) and (b), (6) relative to passengers, WAC 468-38-110 (11)(e), and (((16)(a) and (b))) (17) when moving a farm implement off of the interstate and on the following rural interstate segments:

I-90 between Exit 109 (Ellensburg) and Exit 270 (Tyler);

I-82 between junction with I-90 (Ellensburg) and Exit 31 (Yakima);

I-82 between Exit 37 (Union Gap) and the Washington/Oregon border;

I-182 between junction with I-82 (West Richland) and junction with SR-395;

I-5 between Exit 208 (near Marysville) and Exit 250 (near Bellingham).

(ii) On two-lane highways, one escort vehicle must precede the implement(s) and one escort vehicle must follow the implement(s) when the width exceeds twelve and one-half feet wide; implements not exceeding twelve and one-half feet wide are exempt from using escort vehicles.

(iii) On multiple-lane highways, one escort in the rear is required if the vehicle exceeds fourteen feet wide.

(iv) A flagperson(s) may be used in lieu of an escort(s) for moves of less than five hundred yards.      This allowance must be stated on any permit that may be required for the move.

(g) Road posting: Posting a route may be used in lieu of escort vehicles if the route to be traveled is less than two miles.      Signs reading "oversize vehicle moving ahead" on a square at least three feet on each side (in diamond configuration), with black lettering on orange background, shall be placed at points before the oversize implement enters or leaves the highway and at any entry points along the way.      The signs must be removed immediately after the move has been completed.

(3) Farm implements exceeding sixteen feet wide, but not more than twenty feet wide, are required to have a special motor vehicle permit for movement on state highways.      A quarterly or annual permit may be purchased by a farmer, or any person engaged in the business of selling and/or maintaining farm implements, to move within a designated area, generally three to four counties.      The permit is required to be physically present at the time of movement.      In addition to the safety requirements listed in subsection (2) of this section, notification of a move should be made to all Washington department of transportation maintenance areas affected by the move, to determine if the route is passable.      Phone listings are provided with each permit.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.090.      00-11-038 (Order 199), § 468-38-290, filed 5/10/00, effective 6/10/00; 99-18-019 (Order 192), § 468-38-290, filed 8/23/99, effective 9/23/99; 85-11-062 (Order 46, Resolution No. 243), § 468-38-290, filed 5/20/85; 83-16-018 (Order 39, Resolution No. 195), § 468-38-290, filed 7/25/83; 82-18-010 (Order 31, Resolution No. 156), § 468-38-290, filed 8/20/82.      Formerly WAC 468-38-460.      Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151.      79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-38-290, filed 12/20/78.      Formerly WAC 252-24-342.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office