Tractor speed limits.

Iceweasel

I am aware that the speed limit for 'conventional' tractors has been raised from 20mph to 40kph (approx25mph) but I can't find a gov.uk page that details limits for tractors.

Does that 25mph apply to all roads? - I encounter tractors travelling at speeds well above 25mph, not just on single carriageways, but on dual carriage ways where the drivers seem to think the limit is the max speed of the tractor.

And what about these 'super-tractors' which are now a common site pulling an old ex-HGV trailer which can be bought cheaply as a MOT failure and then used as an agricultural trailer where there are no tests at all.

Some of these big tractors are running at 50mph on single carriageways in my area.

iolanthe07

Some of these big tractors are running at 50mph on single carriageways in my area.

You're lucky then. The ones round my way seem to trundle along at 15 mph completely oblivious to the queue behind them.

Herzlos

It's an awful lot easier to overtake a 15mph tractor than a 50mph tractor, especially if it's got an HGV trailer on the back.

AdrianC

Herzlos wrote: »

It's an awful lot easier to overtake a 15mph tractor than a 50mph tractor, especially if it's got an HGV trailer on the back.

Is there a big difference between overtaking a 50mph tractor-plus-trailer and overtaking a 50mph articulated HGV or 50mph car-plus-caravan, then?

Herzlos

AdrianC wrote: »

Is there a big difference between overtaking a 50mph tractor-plus-trailer and overtaking a 50mph articulated HGV or 50mph car-plus-caravan, then?

About 20ft?

Seriously, not really, but the it's still easier overtaking a 15mph tractor than a 50mph caravan, so I'm not sure of your point.

RS2000.

Iceweasel wrote: »

I am aware that the speed limit for 'conventional' tractors has been raised from 20mph to 40kph (approx25mph) but I can't find a gov.uk page that details limits for tractors.

Does that 25mph apply to all roads? - I encounter tractors travelling at speeds well above 25mph, not just on single carriageways, but on dual carriage ways where the drivers seem to think the limit is the max speed of the tractor.

And what about these 'super-tractors' which are now a common site pulling an old ex-HGV trailer which can be bought cheaply as a MOT failure and then used as an agricultural trailer where there are no tests at all.

Some of these big tractors are running at 50mph on single carriageways in my area.

Not for much longer.

AdrianC

Herzlos wrote: »

Seriously, not really, but the it's still easier overtaking a 15mph tractor than a 50mph caravan, so I'm not sure of your point.

My point is that the complaint appears to be about a small subset of vehicles that would be functionally identical in practice. Which makes it appear as if the reason for complaining is a cover-story.

I wonder if IceWeasel used to really like tractors, but has changed his mind. He's an ex-tractor fan. Badoom. Tish. <gets coat>

arcon5

They can't win either way can they?

They go too slow and people moan they are holding up traffic.

They go at 50 in a 60 and suddenly they are bad mouthed for going too fast.

Brilliant!

If you can't overtake a tractor doing 50 on a dual carraigeway then you have problems!
If you're moaning about doing 50 in a 60 on a single track road you don't want to be behind my OH or a sunday driver! 50 is a perfectly acceptable speed in a 60.

The problem here is you, a lot of people seem to think they are more important than everybody else and/or have more right to go fast. Whereas if you are a casual driver doing 50-55 in a 60 you are a menace to the arrogant.

I don't know what the law is, but frankly don't care. It's about time some drivers learn they are not the only ones using our roads to get about and they have to be shared for everybodies benefit, not just your own desires and needs.

AdrianC

arcon5 wrote: »

50 is a perfectly acceptable speed in a 60.

Whilst I broadly agree with your rant, doing 50 in a 60 limit on your driving test, without any good external reason not to be doing 60, would result in a fail.

Iceweasel

I can assure you all there is no ulterior motive or 'cover story'.

I'm simply trying to ascertain what exactly the law says about tractors.

I have no objection whatsoever to any farmer or any tractor driver going about their rightful business and of course they are entitled to be on the roads as much as anyone else.

I never suggested otherwise so please don't 'read between the lines' as there is nothing there.

However many of the tractors I meet up with are doing in excess of the new 25mph limit - no change there - but there are tractors permitted to exceed 25mph and I can't find any info on them.

The problem is that farmers in the NE of Scotland travel what for a tractor is a long distance - over 50 miles from field to processing plant is not unknown.

For example last week I came across a 'convoy' of 4 tractors running nose to tail at a rock steady 35mph.

I had no option but to follow them for over 10 miles before we came to a long enough and straight enough stretch to safely pass.

They appear to be breaking rules - but which rules I'm not sure.

This link helps - but not completely:

http://www.nfus.org.uk/news/2015/march/union-welcomes-new-tractor-and-trailer-weight-and-speed-limits

audigex

arcon5 wrote: »

50 is a perfectly acceptable speed in a 60.

That very much depends on the road. If you're travelling at 50mph on an open, straight, NSL road in good weather with no good reason, you're just holding others up. Legal, perhaps, but definitely a !!!!!! move.

There are plenty of NSL roads where even 50mph would be downright dangerous, though.

If you're on a road where it's safe to do 60mph, why would you deliberately hold people up? None of us are out on the road for a laugh, we have places to be: and we never know the reason why others are in more of a hurry than us.

Pressuring others to go faster than the limit is unacceptable, but so is forcing others to travel un-necessarily slowly.