Tanker Tailer & Truck Farm Exemption

[OneLegJohn]

I am seriously considering using a tanker to haul sap pending a sugarbush lease. I do not see any down side to hauling sap in a 3500 gallon stainless tanker, other than the expense of tanker and truck. Minor details, right? Given I am able to scrounge some change together, am I exempt from a CDL? I guess each state is different, but I imagin there is ag exemption within a defined radius of the sugarhouse. Any info would be helpful.

[noreast maple]

If your rig weighs over 26000 pounds then you need a cdl, The truck & trailer can be registered ag. but not your lisence. you are subject to federal regs.

[OneLegJohn]

When you say "rig weighs" - do you mean truck, trailer, and sap?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

It is "gross weight". truck, load and driver included.

[OneLegJohn]

This is not just as simple as buying a truck and trailer.

[OneLegJohn]

I just had a thought, what about a 5th wheel dolly behind our tractor? Nothing says "Agricultural" like towing sap with a tractor!

[Buffalo Creek Sugar Camp]

You would not have brakes on the trailer and dolly if you towed it with the tractor. It would not be safe just relying on the tractor brakes.

[OneLegJohn]

Good point.

[markct]

The cdl isnt the big part of the equation, if you can afford a decent truck and stainless tanker then 3000 bucks for the cdl training at a driving school isnt a huge issue. the bigger expense is insurance, maintenance, yea diy can save you alot but still hard to get around the fact that a set of tires for an 18 wheeler can set you back atleast 7 or 8 grand, and dot paperwork and compliance issues get pretty crazy altho they are a little less critical for farm trucks, altho not much compared to how they once were. I am a truck and heavy equipment mechanic for my real job so i see this daily, a thing as minor as a turn signal out can get a truck red tagged, that is cant go anywhere till fixed or towed.

On a side note, i havent seen too many tanker trucks trailers that were 3500 gal. most are in the 5 to 7000 gal range, 3500 is a straight truck tank usualy, which would be much better in winter weather than a semi

[wiam]

I just had a thought, what about a 5th wheel dolly behind our tractor? Nothing says "Agricultural" like towing sap with a tractor!

I have run a manure spreader that had hydraulic brakes that ran off the "remote" valve

[halfast tapper]

If you register the vehicle agricultural and only haul sap to the sugar house then you don't need a cdl. If your going to use the truck for any other purpose than to haul sap then you need a cdl.

[tessiersfarm]

States Vary but here in Maine registered farm trucks are exempt from cdl's up to I think 80,000. No milage restriction unless restricted by inspection.
Here is the Maine version:http://maine.gov/sos/bmv/commercial/farmvehicles.htm
I am sure your state has its own version.

[shane hickey]

T
Here in Michigan you dont need a cdl just an f endorsement
which is a farming license get one for 75 dollars
I have sap hauler truck and its well worth it. I used to haul
3000 gallons of sap with tractor but it took
Forever to go to woods to woods.