The rules to hauling anhydrous
By Sgt. Marc Erickson
Date Modified: 04/05/2012 12:56 PM
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The number 1 question at the Agri News Farm Show:Do I have to have a one-ton truck to pull an anhydrous tank?
I want to get this out so we can all have the same information. If you are pulling in Minnesota, it has nothing to do with anhydrous at all. Please cut this out and take it to your favorite coffee shop to help get everyone the same information.
The issue involves brakes on implement of husbandry and what weight requires brakes.
MN State Statute169.801 Subd. 10. Brakes:(a) A self-propelled implement of husbandry must be equipped with brakes adequate to control its movement and to stop and hold it and any vehicle it is towing.(b) A towed implement of husbandry must be equipped with brakes adequate to control its movement and to stop and hold it if:
• (1) it has a gross vehicle weight of more than 24,000 pounds and was manufactured and sold after January 1, 1994;
• (2) it has a gross vehicle weight of more than 12,000 pounds and is towed by a vehicle other than a self-propelled implement of husbandry; or
• (3) it has a gross vehicle weight of more than 3,000 pounds and is being towed by a registered passenger automobile other than a pickup truck as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 26.
(c) If a towed implement of husbandry with a gross vehicle weight of more than 6,000 pounds, or more than 3,000 pounds if manufactured after January 1, 2011, is required under paragraph (b) to have brakes, it must also be equipped with brakes adequate to stop and hold it if it becomes detached from the towing vehicle.
So if you read 169.801 subd 10 b. (3) it says if the gross weight is over 3,000 pounds and is pulled by a passenger vehicle other than a pickup truck, the trailer needs brakes. If the trailer is pulled by a pickup, the trailer can weigh up to 12,000 pounds before it needs brakes.
So, I can't answer the question unless I know the weight of the trailer. The largetank trailers I know are over 12,000 pounds. Therefore, it doesn't matter — they need brakes. The smaller tanks can get over that weight but not all of them. You definitely can't pull an anhydrous tank with an SUV without brakes on the tank.
Every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service (foot) brake must stop the load it is hauling.
Erickson is a technical sergeant with Minnesota State Patrol's Commercial Vehicle Section. He is contributing to Agri News by answering your questions about the rules of the road. Send questions or comments to hthorstensen@agrinews.com or mail them to Agri News at P.O. Box 6118, Rochester, MN 55903.