BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Getty Images. What is a farm ? Allen Schaeffer for Ag Proud

Sometimes simple questions are the (FMCSA) defi nition, a farm vehicle is one hardest to answer, like what is a farm that is: registered in a state with a license Allen Schaeff er Executive Director truck (FT)? Is that any truck on a farm plate that identifi es it as a farm vehicle Diesel Technology Forum property? Is it a ? Can it … transporting agricultural products, [email protected] be an SUV? A semi-tractor trailer? A livestock, farm machinery or supplies to fl atbed with a fi fth wheel? Is it just in or from a farm, and is not used in for-hire the eye of the beholder? It’s not as simple motor carrier operations. been maintained properly, or is it blowing as that, of course. As for licensing, if you are driving a smoke full time? Are the brakes and tires An FT designation is a legal one that truck, combination vehicle (truck and good or are they aging out instead of both the federal and state levels dictate trailer) or a semi-tractor within the state wearing out? exact qualifi cations for. There are also you farm, you do not need a CDL. But if Maintenance of the fuel system for a range of exemptions for different you go outside of the 150-mile range into low-annual miles and low-use units is commodities (livestock, grain, logs and on another state, then you will need a CDL – an important consideration, whether and on …) and that list is a mile long and or if you decide to start driving your truck gas- or diesel-powered. That means using changing often, best viewed online (ops. for hire to others, then you will also need high-quality fresh gasoline or diesel fuel, fhwa.dot.gov/freight/policy/rpt_congress/ a CDL. Also don’t forget to stop at the changing fuel fi lters and making sure the truck_sw_laws/app_a.htm). And that is scales in most states if you are in a vehicle fuel has the right mix of cold-weather not to mention the special exemptions that that has an over 10,000 pounds gross additives or fuel stabilizers recommended arise where governors can issue emergency vehicle weight rating. by the engine manufacturer. If you have a orders or declarations that modify Because some farm operate only newer diesel semi-truck made after 2007, operating conditions or other requirements, seasonally to take crops or livestock to it has a particulate fi lter that will require providing special waivers to address unique market rather than full-time driving, and additional periodic maintenance and situations – like extreme weather events run within that 150-mile range, they log cleaning as well. or the need for waivers of hours-of-service generally fewer miles a year and as a result Avoiding temptation to overload an for CDL drivers to address other unique can tend to be older models – sometimes older truck is also important from my economic or supply circumstances. decades older. Maintenance on these units experience: Be nice to them, take care of According to the U.S. DOT Federal is key; it’s not the model year or age of the them or retire them, but do not overload Motor Carrier Safety Administration truck, but the condition to consider. Has it them – you are asking for trouble. Leaf

14 AgProud.com | Idaho springs will fail, rust fi nally yields, belts will break, overheating happens, and tires will go fl at with a full load in the bed (this happened to me), any of which will cause a day’s worth of trouble in the middle of nowhere when you least need it, especially if trying to get cash crops or stock to market. Nearly all semi-trucks that end up on the farm for use as grain or livestock haulers begin their lives as standard freight units, confi gured originally for over-the-road trucking or daily Cattle Handling Packages fl eet regional operations, only to fi nd their way to farm use after BUILD YOUR second or third ownerships, equipment auctions and the like. DREAM RANCH WITH Newer (about since 2000) truck technology is a far cry from older OUR EQUIPMENT models. Most notably are electronics that have replaced everything Here at Lakeland, we want to mechanical. Shifting split-range transmissions on the fl y might Sheep & Goat make sure that your ranch, still be out there, but many new used models you might consider Handling Packages hobby farm, small operation, are automatics because they are easier to drive and get better fuel or even your stable have the economy in over-the-road trucks. support they need, whether they need cattle, sheep, goat The old cab-over freight trucks with the big “doghouse” in or even equine equipment. the middle, popular in the ’70s and ’80s, take me back to a more nostalgic day in trucking. Years ago, I had the chance to ride Be sure to ask us about with the CEO of a regional company who still had his CDL, in a Horse Equipment our cattle or sheep & goat handling packages! cab-over Freightliner (1982) pulling triple trailers from Salt Lake City to Park City and back, just for the experience. These cab-over Call us for a FREE units are still popular with many farm haulers, thanks to the tight 2021-2022 Full 2021-2022 FULL LINE CATALOGUE turning radius, especially for those hitched up to livestock trailers Line Catalogue VISIT LAKELANDFARMANDRANCH.COM in tight spaces (lots of rebuilding and searching for parts there). Cab-overs are the standard in where roads are narrow and journeys are shorter, but have fallen out of favor in the U.S. thanks 1-866-443-7444 in part to size and weight laws, but also simple driver comfort – LakelandFarmandRanch.com the conventional tractors are less punishing offi ces to work out of. The most iconic farm truck of course is the pickup truck: half- ton, full-size, extended bed, crew cab, dually, fi fth wheel – the list of options and confi gurations is near endless. Ford (the market MORE LEAVES. leader with their F-150 model) recently commissioned the Great American Truck Survey of 2000 truck owners. More than 3,000 HIGHER BALE WEIGHT. TV shows mention Ford trucks, while over 180 songs do. Not surprisingly, pickup trucks are an emotional topic; 79% of those surveyed said they would give up alcohol for an entire year rather than give up their truck. And 15% of those surveyed have tattoos on their body that reference a truck or their favorite brand. If you are all about diesel on the farm, this year there are new options to choose from, as 2021 is the fi rst year where a Average Bale Weights $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Utah State University eld study option is available on all full-size pickup trucks July & August 2020 (in addition to the heavy-duty 2500 series models) from the big Financial impact of steam 1450 lbs technology in alfalfa three manufacturers – Ford, and Ram. Each of the 1400 lbs manufacturers has a 3.0-liter diesel option now available. And harvesttec.com 1350 lbs these will be workhorses for any kind of farm or semi-farm use, UTAH ST. UNIVERSITY 1300 lbs but they won’t need as much hay. The 1500 presents the returns from version gets an amazing 33 mpg highway fuel economy rating employing various steam options 1250 lbs from the EPA. Yes, that is a full-size truck at 33 mpg – which is ✦ ✦ 1200 lbs Baled dry Simulator Baled with Dew more mpg than a good number of that can only haul people. And if you’re hauling a big crew, that same diesel engine can be had from Chevrolet in their popular Tahoe and Suburban Advantages: confi gurations. • More acres covered sooner The FT/farm truck designation has real meaning – both • Bale on your schedule • Better appearing and better testing bales with more consistent weights to those behind the wheel and those in the motor vehicle • One machine for all baling operations (large & small square, round balers) enforcement world. But one thing is for sure, we all love (and need) our trucks, farm or otherwise. Features: • Heated mist at 240° F is applied in the windrow • Hay is softened before it is picked up by the baler Allen Schaeffer is the executive director at the Diesel Technology Forum. Email him at [email protected] www.harvesttec.com • 800-635-7468

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