By Lloyd Phillips
In consultation with provincial traffic departments, the National Department of Transport has pledged to guide and assist farmers to ensure compliance with road transport regulations when self-propelled harvesters and sprayers must use public roads.
South Africa’s traffic laws classify many modern self-propelled harvesters, sprayers, and even some extra-large tractors of considerable dimensions and masses as abnormal-sized vehicles, even if they are set up to drive on roads. This significantly restricts when and how much machinery may travel on public roads.
According to Corné Louw, an expert and agricultural economist from Grain SA, the country’s farmers and contractors of these machines have been struggling for approximately 20 years to transport these machines between remote fields without infringing traffic laws.
“Farmers say that hiring or buying flatbed trucks for the lawful transportation of these large machines on public roads is expensive. These machines’ continual loading and unloading onto flatbeds also damage their tyres and structure and consumes valuable time during critical periods for harvesting and spraying.”
What the law says
Louw referred to an article by road traffic and transport legislation expert Alta Swanepoel of Alta Swanepoel & Associates for Grain SA’s SA Grain publication. In this article, she clarifies that a self-propelled harvester, sprayer, or oversized tractor may utilise a public road, as outlined in regulation 5 of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996), for a maximum distance of one kilometre. This does not include highways. Furthermore, it may only occur between sunrise and sunset and when visibility is adequate. The driver is legally obligated to move the machine off the road to allow other vehicles to pass safely.
The owner must obtain an abnormal vehicle permit to legally drive these machines on public roads longer than one kilometre. This main approval must be received before the vehicle is registered and licensed. Then, the owner can apply for a special classification.
“This vehicle may only be driven according to an abnormal permit issued by the MEC of the specific province in which the vehicle is used.”
Further than one kilometre
Louw said traffic authorities in some provinces, such as the Western Cape and parts of the North West, understand the necessity and problems of moving self-propelled harvesters, sprayers, and oversized tractors on public roads. If the vehicles are driven responsibly and with due care for other road users, including being accompanied by warning vehicles, these traffic authorities allow them to drive further than the one-kilometre restriction on public roads.
According to Louw, farmers say that traffic officers are prepared to personally escort the machines safely through towns in some areas.
“At the same time, traffic authorities in areas such as Mpumalanga and increasingly in the Free State are quick to stop and fine harvesters, sprayers, and oversized tractors on public roads. There is even a threat to impound these machines. Requests for understanding and assistance fall on deaf ears.”
Upon inquiry, the National Department of Transport said that they and the provincial MECs for Transport are prepared to assist the agricultural sector in understanding the law’s requirements and, where necessary, help with applications for exemptions and permits.
“The national department and the provinces recognise the operational requirements of the agricultural sector, including the types of vehicles needed, and anticipate no difficulties in supporting the sector to fulfil its operational needs. The offices of the MECs may be contacted should any issues arise.”
Louw said this response is very encouraging and that they would like to get the relevant contact details.
