Farm equipment and you Published June 19, 2007 By Gary Johnson 319th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Spring is fast approaching and along with an increase in temperature will come an increase in farm vehicles upon the roadway. Whether or not you have witnessed first hand the excitement of meeting an 80-foot batwing cultivator on a two-lane rural road, it is always a daunting experience. Wondering whether or not those folded cultivator wings will remain up (and imagining the aftermath if they don't) always causes a chill to run up my spine. Cultivator, tractor, combine, grain drill or rake, the one thing that all of these pieces of farm machinery have in common is they all have the right-of-way on North Dakota roadways. This includes all roadways, even the interstate highways such as U.S. Highway 2 or Interstate Highway 29. While most machinery is equipped with lights, these beacons may become mud-covered and dim. Likewise, most farm machinery is equipped with a reflective triangle on the rear to warn motorists approaching from that direction. Unfortunately, like inoperable lights, these reflectors do fall off occasionally. Approaching a darkened piece of farm machinery from the rear at night at high speed can have devastating consequences. Here are a few tips for avoiding a collision with farm machinery: Expect the unexpected on rural roads with field entrances and reduce your speed. Slow way down for blind areas such as shelter belts (line of trees) bordering fields. Many times, this is where field and farm entrances are located. If you see a large piece of machinery approaching you on a two lane road, pull off to the side as far as possible and allow it to pass. Farmers move into the left lane long before they make a left turn. Make sure the operator sees you before attempting to pass. Slow down when approaching farm machinery from either direction. Remember that there will be an increase in the amount of mud, rocks and other debris on the roadways, and this debris can cause you to lose control of your own vehicle.