Transport Safely

Preparing for Transport
  • Use a tractor large enough to maintain control. Properly ballast tractor. See tractor operator's manual.

    causym CAUTION: Keep away from overhead power lines. Serious injury or death may result. Proceed cautiously under overhead power lines and around utility poles. Know the transport height of your machine.

    Electrocution can occur without direct contact with overhead electrical lines.

  • Always fold wings fully. If wing fold cylinders are removed, chain wings together to prevent accidental lowering.
  • Be aware of height and width restrictions to avoid collision with overpasses or other road users.
  • In transport position, use caution in learning the tracking path of the machine behind the tractor when turning corners.
  • Fully extend depth control cylinders and close hydraulic lock-up valve before transporting.
  • Install transport lockups on transport wheel cylinders and close hydraulic lock-up valve.
  • Latch the tractor brakes together.
  • Do not transport on a roadway unless the towed load has two functioning tail lights. Attach an appropriate lighting harness to the 7-pin connector. Contact your John Deere dealer for accessory lights and lighting harnesses.
  • Be certain that the towed load has an appropriate SMV emblem and rear reflectors. Ensure that the reflective material and the SMV are clean and visible.
  • Attach proper size safety chain for load being towed. See USING CORRECT SAFETY CHAIN in this addendum.
Transporting

When transporting, remember that towed loads can swerve, upset or cause loss of control. Follow these guidelines:

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    causym CAUTION: When transporting, never travel at any speed which would not permit adequate control of steering and stopping. Reduce speed considerably when traveling over rough ground. Be certain everyone is clear of machine.

  • Always travel at a reasonable and safe speed. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS, OBSERVE MAXIMUM TRANSPORT SPEED and tractor Operator's Manual to ensure that machine can be safely transported with your tractor. Do not exceed weight and speed guidelines.
  • Do not travel more than 32 km/h (20 mph) and do not tow loads more than 1.5 times tractor weight.
  • Stopping distance increases with speed and weight of towed loads and on slopes. Observe the recommended maximum road speeds given here, or local speed limits, which may be lower.

    causym CAUTION: When transporting machine on a road or highway, always use accessory lamps and devices for adequate warning to operators of other vehicles.

  • Always use flashing warning lights, day and night, when transporting on a roadway. Check local governmental regulations for additional lighting and marking requirements.
  • Do not transport on a roadway unless the towed load has two functioning tail lights. Attach an appropriate lighting harness to the 7-pin connector. Contact your John Deere dealer for accessory lights and lighting harnesses.
  • Be certain that the towed load has an appropriate SMV emblem and rear reflectors. Ensure that the reflective material and the SMV are clean and visible.
  • Prevent collisions between motorists and slow-moving equipment on public roads. Frequently check for traffic from rear, especially in turns, and use turn signals.

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    causym CAUTION: Never tow machine behind a truck or other motor vehicle. The ability to maintain control and brake the machine is compromised. The ability to properly attach the machine hitch and safety chain may be marginal. With most motor vehicles, it is not possible to properly operate the warning lights on the machine.

  • Never tow machine behind a truck or other motor vehicle.

    causym CAUTION: Avoid serious injury or death resulting from loss of control of machine and towed load.

  • Do not exceed safety chain weight limit for each of the safety chains. See CALCULATING MINIMUM TRACTOR WEIGHT FOR SAFE TRANSPORT-CHART in this addendum.
  • Use a properly sized tractor. Refer to CALCULATING MINIMUM TRACTOR WEIGHT FOR SAFE TRANSPORT in this addendum.
  • Ensure load does not exceed recommended weight ratio. Add ballast to recommended maximum for tractor, lighten load, or get a heavier towing unit. Tractor must be heavy and powerful enough with adequate braking power for the towed load. Use additional caution when towing loads under adverse surface conditions, when turning and on inclines.
  • When towing on a roadway, refer to TOW LOADS SAFELY in the Safety section.
  • Shift tractor into a lower gear when transporting down steep slopes or hills; never coast.
  • To improve stability when traveling through the field, wings should be unfolded from transport position as soon as possible after leaving the roadway.

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