Subchapter L-Animal-Drawn Vehicles, Implements Of Husbandry And Special Mobile Equipment

SUBCHAPTER L
ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES,
IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY
AND
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT
175.221. APPLICATION.
Equipment standards set forth in this subchapter
shall apply to all animal-drawn vehicles, implements
of husbandry and special mobile equipment driven
on highways.

175.222. STEERING.

(a) Condition of Steering Components- The

steering assembly and steering mechanism
shall be in safe operating condition as
prescribed in this subchapter.
(b) Steering Wheel-The steering wheel, if so
equipped, must be equivalent to the original
equipment in material, strength and size. A
modification affecting the steering of vehicle
must be corrected.
(c) Frame-The frame may not be bent in such
a manner as to affect the steering.

175.223. BRAKING SYSTEMS.

(a) Condition of Braking Systems-Braking
systems and components shall be in safe
operating condition as described in this
subchapter.
(b) Service Brakes-A vehicle specified under
this subchapter shall be equipped with service
brake system. This section shall not apply to
nonself-propelled special mobile equipment
having a gross weight which does not exceed
40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle,
or to a towed implement of husbandry.

(1) The service brake system shall be
adequate to control movement and stop
and hold the vehicle or combination on
any grade on which it is operated under
all conditions of loading.

(2) A service brake system shall act upon
wheels according to the original
manufacturers specifications.

(3) The brake lining and fluids utilized in the
braking function shall be of a type
approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

(c) Parking Brake System-A vehicle shall be

equipped with a parking brake system except
a towed implement of husbandry and towed
special mobile equipment. See 75 Pa. C.S.
4502 (relating to general requirements for
braking systems). A parking brake system
shall be adequate to hold the vehicle on a
surface free from ice or snow on 20% grade.
(d) Breakaway System-A trailer operated on the
highway, except a towed implement of
husbandry, which is equipped with brakes or
has a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds
shall be equipped with a breakaway system
which shall stop and hold the vehicle
automatically upon breakaway from the
towing vehicle.

175.224. TIRES AND WHEELS.

(a) Condition of Tires and Wheels-Tires and
wheels or traction surfaces shall be in safe
operating condition as described in this
subchapter.
(b) Tire Standards
(1) If of pneumatic type, the tires shall be
operated at a cold inflation pressure no
less than that specified for the load being
carried.
(2) The tires shall meet the minimum
manufacturer specifications as to tire
size and shall be free of defective
conditions reasonably believed to render
the tire unsafe for highway use.
(3) The wheel nuts, bolts, clamps or lugs
shall have proper thread engagement;
and wheels shall not be bent, cracked or
damaged in such a way as to affect safe
operation of vehicle.
(c) Nonpneumatic Tires-A vehicle equipped with
nonpneumatic tires shall meet the following
requirements:
(1) An implement of husbandry or special
mobile equipment shall not be equipped
with cleats or guide bands which come
in contact with the highway of a greater
height or less width than that specified
for classes and gross weights as followsexcept caterpillar or crawler type vehicles:
CLEATS
GROSS WEIGHT
IN POUNDS

Less than 12,000

12,000 and over

L-1

MAX.

MIN.

GUIDE BANDS
MAX.

HEIGHT WIDTH HEIGHT

2"
2"

3/8" 11/2"
1
"
11/2"

MIN.
WIDTH

2"
2"

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Subchapter L-Animal-Drawn Vehicles, Implements Of Husbandry And Special Mobile Equipment

(2) When cleats are placed diagonally across

the face of the driving surface or placed
in two sections similar to the letter V,
cleats shall be spaced so as not to
exceed 9 inches from center to center,
measured at right angles to the cleats.
When the cleats are placed on the driving
surface in two sectionsstandard type of
cleat mountingsections shall be spaced
so as not to exceed 71/2 inches from the
center measured at right angles to the
cleats. The cleats and guide bands shall
have a flat surface with rounded edges.
(3) An implement of husbandry or special
mobile equipment shall not be equipped
with caterpillar or crawler type cleats or
grousers or guide bandswhich come in
contact with highway of greater height or
less width than specified for classes and
gross weights as follows:
CLEATS

GROSS WEIGHT
IN POUNDS

Less than 7,500

7,500 and over but
less than 12,000
12,000 and over

MAX.

MIN.

HEIGHT WIDTH

2"

1"

2" 11/2"
2"
2"

GUIDE BANDS

MAX.

MIN.

HEIGHT WIDTH

11/2"

2"

11/2"
11/2"

2"
2"

(4) The cleats or grousers on a caterpillar

or crawler type tractors shall have a flat
surface with rounded edges; shall be
placed at right angles to front to rear axis
of the vehicle, so arranged that five or
more cleats on each traction surface shall
be in road contact with highway; and
shall not be less than 3/4 of the width
of the tread or driving surface.

(5) An animal-drawn vehicle is permitted
non-pneumatic tires.
(d) Alignment-Tires or wheels may not be out
of alignment to such a degree that steering
control is affected.
(e) Tires and Rims-The axles of a vehicle
specified under this subchapter shall be
equipped with tires and rims as originally
designed.

175.225. LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL

SYSTEMS.
(a) Condition of Lamps and Switches- Every

required lamp or switch shall be in safe
operating condition as described in this
subchapter.
(b) Lighting Standards-An external lighting
system shall meet the requirements of this
subchapter.
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

L-2

(c) Headlamp System-An animal-drawn vehicle,

implement of husbandry, or special mobile
equipment operated on the highway between
sunset and sunrise or during periods of
reduced visibility or insufficient illumination
shall be equipped with the following lamps:

(1) A self-propelled implement of husbandry
and special mobile equipment shall be
equipped with at least a two-headlamp
system.

(2) At least one lamp shall be located on
each side of the vehicle centerline.

(3) At a distance of 75 feet, the high
intensity portion of the beam shall not be
higher than 42 inches above level ground
upon which vehicle stands.

(4) A vehicle with a headlamp system shall
have a manual dimmer switch, as
originally equipped, conveniently located
for use by the driver while in a normal
operating position. An automatic dimming
devices may be used in addition to a
manual switch.

(5) A vehicle with a headlamp system shall
have a beam indicator, as originally
equipped, which shall be lighted
whenever the high beam of light from
the headlamp is in use and shall not
otherwise be lighted. The indicator shall
be located so that when lighted it is
readily visible without glare to the
operator of vehicle.
(6)
A vehicle shall not have auxiliary
equipment so placed as to obstruct beam.
(d) Total Candlepower - Total candlepower for
the headlamp system may not exceed a total
of 150,000.
(e) Other Required Lamps-A vehicle specified
under this subchapter operated on the
highway between sunset and sunrise or during
periods of reduced visibility, or insufficient
illumination shall be equipped with all of the
following:

(1) One red reflex reflector or reflective tape
with a minimum of 3 square inches of
surface on rear of each side of vehicle.

(2) One amber reflex reflector or reflective
tape with a minimum of 3 square inches
of surface on front of each side of
vehicle.

(3) One double-facedamber to front, red
to rearhazard lamp on each side of the
vehicle or two amber hazard warning
lamps on front and two red hazard
warning lamps on the rear of vehicle.

Subchapter L-Animal-Drawn Vehicles, Implements Of Husbandry And Special Mobile Equipment

(f) Illumination-Lamps shall direct light properly
and not be of a color contrary to law.
(g) Battery Fastening-A vehicle specified
under this subchapter shall be equipped with
a system for secure fastening of the battery,
if applicable.

175.228. FUEL SYSTEMS.

(a) Condition of Fuel Systems-All components
in a fuel system shall be in safe operating
condition as described in this subchapter.
(b) Fuel System Requirements-The fuel system
components shall be leakproof and shall be
fastened securely to the vehicle with
fasteners designed for that purpose.
(c) Accelerator Operation-The accelerator
control system shall return the engine throttle
to idle position when operator removes
actuating force from accelerator control or
shall be as originally equipped.
(d) Alternate Fuel Systems-See Subchapter M
(relating to alternate fuel systems and
controls).

175.226. GLAZING.
(a) Condition of Glazing-Glazing shall meet
requirements of Chapter 161 (relating to
glazing materials). See 75 Pa. C.S. 4526
(relating to safety glass).
(b) Stickers-Out-of-state inspection stickers,
tax stamps, road use permits or other
government-related permitsall municipalities
and states shall be placed at the lower leftor right-hand corner of the windshield.

175.229. EXHAUST SYSTEMS.

(c) Obstructions-Vehicle glazing shall be free

from obstructions as described in this sub
chapter. No sign, poster or other material may
be placed on the windshield or front side
windows so as to obstruct, obscure or impair
the drivers clear view of the highway or an
intersecting highway.
(d) Sun Screening Devices-A sun screening
device or other material which does not permit
a person to see or view the inside of the
vehicle is prohibited unless a certificate of
exemption has been issued in compliance
with 175.265 (relating to exemption
provisions). This subsection applies only to
motor vehicles. See Table X for specific
requirements for vehicles subject to this
subchapter.

(a) Condition of Exhaust System-All

components of an exhaust system shall be in
safe operating condition as described in this
subchapter.
(b) Exhaust System Requirements-A vehicle
shall be constructed, equipped, maintained
and operated so as to prevent the engine
exhaust gases from penetrating and collecting
in any part of the vehicle occupied by the
driver or passenger.
(c) Mufflers-A vehicle specified under this
subchapter shall be equipped with a muffler
or other noise-suppressing system in good
working order and in constant operation, if
applicable. No muffler or exhaust system shall
be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar
device, and no muffler shall show evidence
of external repair.

175.227. MIRRORS.

175.230. HORNS AND WARNING

DEVICES.

(a) Condition of Mirrors-Mirrors shall be in safe

operating condition as described in this
subchapter.
(b) Rearview Mirrors-A vehicleexcept a
trailer, implement of husbandry and special
mobile equipment not originally so equipped
when operated on highway shall be equipped
with at least one rearview mirror or similar
device which provides the driver an
unobstructed view of the highway to the rear
of the vehicle for a distance of not less than
200 feet. A mirror shall not be broken,
cracked, or discolored.

(a) Condition of Horns and Warning Devices All components of a horn or warning device
shall be in safe operating condition as
described in this subchapter.
(b) Horn and Warning Device RequirementsA vehicle, except a trailer, implement of
husbandry and special mobile equipment not
originally equipped shall have a horn or other
warning device which is audible under normal
conditions at distance of not less than 200
feet.

L-3

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Notes

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Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations