Drivers Learning To Share Road With Farm Equipment During Harvest Season

(KNSI) – Harvest season means a flurry of activity in area farm fields and on the roads.

Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck is imploring drivers to be cautious as they share the street with slow-moving, large harvesters and other farm equipment. He says it applies to trying to pass as well. “Our concern is…this is very heavy equipment, and if you try to take on this farm equipment with your car, your car is going to lose, or if you make a move to try to pass, and it’s not safe to do so, that somebody else is going to be impacted.”

Heck says another potential concern, should we receive an overdue soaking rain again soon, is the dirt and mud that gets pulled from the field by the combine. Some of it winds up on the pavement, and rain can make it slick, causing tires to struggle with traction.

Cities like Sauk Rapids and Rice are seeing new development where neighborhoods rise up from what used to be farm fields, which presents dangers during harvest season. Heck notes corn stalks make great neighbors until they have to be cut down by farm implements.

He also warns about busy county highways. “On these major routes, people aren’t always thinking about farm equipment being there because they’re so used to being on this route that feels a lot like a highway or freeway, and they’re focused just on trying to get somewhere.”

Heck lists County Roads 1, 3, 4, and 5. He says to watch around Gilman, north of Foley, in particular.

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