Logging arches and traffic laws?

[9shooter]

I'm thinking about building a logging arch and was thinking about making it road worthy. The idea is to have a set of auxiliary tail/brake lights that could be clamped to the end of the log or attached to a set of running gear that would strap/chain to a long log. I have been told that if a trailer attaches to a tractor or truck with a pintle hitch or pin hitch, then it is considered a farm implement and isn't required to be licensed in Michigan where I live. Any of you Michigan folks know the rules on this?  I have 2 friends with sawmills so the trips would be generally no more than 10 miles from woods to mill.

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

Seems like you'd burn up a lot more fuel hauling just one log at a time...

Just sayin, ya know...

Herb

[thenorthman]

most log arches I've seen work by getting just one end of the log off the ground, sounds like yer planning on putting wheels under the off end?  Seems to me like a whole bunch of bad things happening if any one thing breaks on the way to the mill, plus how ya plan on controlling the off end from just taking its own track down the road... unless you plan on just letting em grind on down the road :D

Don't get me wrong its not a horrible idea...  but you might be better of just investing in a forwarding trailer, or burly a goose neck and hauling em that way. 

But if ya wanna continue with yer plan (Hel I would) get ahold of yer local state police/highway patrol/DMV the folks that issue titles on home built trailers in yer state and they could give you a better idea on what legal and what you can get away with.

[9shooter]

95% of the time I will just use the arch to prehaul the logs out to a staging area to load onto a trailer. However, I sell unusual lumber which might mean I go somewhere to harvest a single tree.  Makes sense to just chain it up in the arch and haul it down the road. For instance I pulled out a 36" diameter beech log 20 ft long to cut 6/4 natural edge for a client.

The reason for the running gear and lights is to make it more obvious to those idiots driving around with cell phones stuck in their ear..

[shinnlinger]

 Ironwood built one.  Throw a few more chains around and stick some lights at the end of the log or a triangle and your good to go.  If you actually registered the arch as a trailer(if it's not expensive), You would really cover your ass.

[beenthere]

Can always try it, and beg for forgiveness if something goes amiss in hopes to avoid a traffic fine.

Also, what does your insurance cover you for if something goes terribly wrong, or even mildly wrong and you get one of those bad days (which happens) ?

[shinnlinger]

Thats where a registered trailer could really save you.  In a worst case scenario, if your insured truck is towing a trailer, the trailer and it's load is also covered.  It's probably covered either way, but an investigator with something to prove might make it more difficult if its unregistered.

Personally I'm not a worse case scenario kind of guy.  Sure I think about it, but if its just occasionally across town, you take obvious safety precautions  like chains and flags, your keeping it under a buck 20 and not a jerk if you get stopped, your probably fine rolling with whatever you slap together.  But if it's only $18.50 to register it for a year it might be a smart thing to do.

Dave

[red]

just like a propane tank trailer

[chevytaHOE5674]

In Michigan to register a trailer all you need is a weight slip with the empty weight. As long as it weights under 2.499lbs empty then its $75 for a lifetime plate.

For it to be an "implement of husbandry" and not require a plate it must meet a very certain criteria.

257.21 “Implement of husbandry” defined.
• A farm tractor;
• A vehicle designed to be drawn by a farm tractor or animal;
• A vehicle which directly harvests farm products; or
• A vehicle which directly applies fertilizer, spray, seeds to a farm field.

Using these vehicles to pick up supplies or transporting materials outside of the above listed bullets would require license plates

[justallan1]

In montana we can haul all kinds of things down the road and only need a reflective triangle, just not at night and not on the interstate, obviously. I think you might find out the speed limit for pulling farm implements and pay close attentoin to that.

[SwampDonkey]

Not at all your situation, but case in point. I've seen the neighbors here drag firewood logs down the road like it was a skid trail. It's a dead end road in the winter here, but it's a paved road just the same. What if I pass them in the opposite direction and one of them logs roll and swat by car?  I often wonder if they even have any insurance on their operation with a tractor. :