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by Natalie Walston

Imagine the Ferrari of the tractor world that can improve productivity by two, three, even four times.

High-speed tractors that can go up to 40 mph on roads are blazing a trail into the United States. In fact, Wayne and Holmes counties have the highest concentration of high-speed tractors than any other place in the United States, according to Larry Gearhardt, director of local affairs for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

But the debut of these tractors that originated in Europe is causing concern among farm safety experts and farm advocates in the United States.

"Our utmost concern is the safety of our farmers on the roadway," said Gearhardt. "This is a very important topic."

One problem is there are no legal signs available to place on the tractors that would warn other drivers of the vehicle’s presence on the road. It’s illegal to place the large orange slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) signs on the tractors because they are capable of going over 25 mph.

This creates a quandary because farmers need to be seen by traffic, and the large orange SMV signs effectively warn drivers of the vehicles’ presence on the road, especially at night.

Gearhardt said the problem is inflated by the increase of vehicles and vehicle speed on roadways.

"Farmers aren’t being seen on the highways," he said.

The American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) has come up with guidelines for a sign similar to the SMV sign that could legally be placed on high-speed tractors. ASAE recommends the new signs, to be called Speed Identification Symbols, or SIS, should be white and round and have the speed of the vehicle in the center; however, the signs are not yet available.

State Rep. Jim Carmichael, R-Wooster, is drafting legislation that would authorize the use of SIS signs. Gearhardt said it likely will take several months before Carmichael can introduce the legislation.

He said the Ohio Highway Patrol is in favor of the new signs because the only alternative troopers have is to stop the tractor for going without the proper signage.

Some farmers say they feel safer in a high-speed tractor because they’re able to go faster and almost reach the rate of speed of passing cars.

But, along with increased speed comes concerns that hauling farm implements might not be as safe.

Darrel Rubel, director of youth and safety activities for OFBF, said towing implements that are designed for tractors that only go the maximum speed of 25 mph could cause more safety problems at higher rates of speed.

"The implements could fall apart or cause an accident. They also might flip if the driver turns too fast," Rubel said.

Rubel recommends farmers with the high-speed tractors not go above the speed limit restrictions for implements.

"Make sure you’re not going above 25 mph if you’re towing equipment," he said.

It’s clear, too, that farmers need to be responsible for safety on the roads, not just the public, he said.

Rubel said farmers need to use good judgement if they’re using the high-speed tractors and use due diligence on how fast they drive.