iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
When you come up behind farm equipment on a South Dakota road, slow down, leave room, and wait to pass until you can do so safely. Machinery is large and slower than ordinary traffic, so you may catch up sooner than expected. During harvest, watch for equipment, people, and cattle on rural roads, including at unusual hours.
What motorists should do around farm equipment
- Look ahead and reduce speed. Farm machinery can be difficult to see at a distance, and its lower speed can close the gap quickly. Adjust your speed for the road and conditions.
- Leave time and space. Stay back rather than tailgating or rushing the operator. South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Lucas Lentsch advised motorists to take their time; operators may move aside when they have an opportunity. Read the state’s harvest-season guidance.
- Pass only when it is safe. Do not pass on a blind approach, near an intersection, or where road markings or traffic make passing unsafe. Wait for a clear view and enough room to complete the maneuver without forcing the equipment operator or oncoming traffic to react.
- Stay patient until the road is clear. Harvest travel may also involve people and cattle drives. Do not assume the roadway is clear just because the machinery has moved past you.
- Watch for equipment at unusual times. Harvest work can put machinery on rural roads outside typical commuting hours. Stay alert rather than relying on daylight or familiar traffic patterns.
Notes for farm-equipment operators
Before taking equipment onto public roads, observe applicable signing and lighting requirements and make sure the vehicle is visible. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety also warns that long hours and harvest stress can cause fatigue and errors in judgment. Plan for rest and avoid moving equipment when tired. See the department’s harvest safety release.
South Dakota harvest permits: check the vehicle and its use
Permit eligibility depends on the vehicle and what it is used for, so do not treat every farm vehicle as covered by the same rule. The South Dakota Department of Revenue currently lists a $75 permit for each covered truck or tractor used to haul agricultural products or service harvesting equipment, and for each grain-hauling trailer, subject to exceptions. The permit page says permits are valid for custom harvest operations within the calendar year and must be displayed in the lower center of the windshield. Check the official Harvest Vehicles page for current fees, exceptions, and eligibility before travel.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Check whether the truck or tractor hauls agricultural products or services harvesting equipment.
- Check separately whether a trailer is used for hauling grain.
- Confirm any exception that may apply to the specific vehicle and operator, including licensing status.
- If required, obtain the permit and display it in the lower center of the windshield.
Keep harvest safety separate from other road rules
South Dakota’s Move Over law summary addresses stopped authorized emergency vehicles displaying red visual signals and vehicles displaying amber or yellow flashing signals; the required response depends on road configuration. It is not a harvest-specific rule. Consult the South Dakota motor vehicle law summary rather than assuming it changes how to pass farm equipment.
#1 Best Overall
- PREMIUM QUALITY：This metal Slow Moving Vehicle Safety Sign is made from heavy duty rust-free Aluminum, long lasting will not fade
- ENGINEERING GRADE REFLECTIVE: With engineering grade reflective film and premium printing technology, this reflective orange triangle with red border can be seen up to 600 ft away, the colors are quite bright and very reflective
- WIDELY USED: Triangle warning sign are often used for farm vehicles, golf carts, road construction and maintenance vehicles to alert fellow motorists to use caution.
- EASY TO MOUNT - This safety sign has 2 pre-drilled holes for screws or wire ties, which should make it easy to install on vehicle. (Note: the screws and ties is not included
What crash data can—and cannot—say
The 2024 South Dakota Strategic Highway Safety Plan reports that fatal and serious-injury crashes were most frequent from June through September, with 18 percent occurring in August. Those are statewide timing figures, not harvest-specific crash statistics and not evidence that harvest activity caused those crashes. The available state guidance does not provide a clearly attributable current harvest-specific crash count. Read the 2024 Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Standard Bolt Pattern Fit: Designed for signs with a 6" mounting bolt spacing, ensuring quick and secure installation.
- UTV-Compatible Safety Mount: Easily hold a standard 14" slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign on your UTV using a rear 2" receiver hitch.
- 2" Receiver Hitch Ready: Slides into any standard 2" hitch receiver and secures with the included hitch pin—no permanent modifications required.
- Complete SMV Sign Kit: Includes a Slow-Moving Sign Holder, reflective SMV triangle sign, hitch pin, screws, nuts, socket wrench, and hex wrench, giving buyers the core parts needed for a rear slow-moving vehicle sign setup.
- Reflective Triangle for Better Rear Visibility: The orange-and-red SMV-style reflective panel helps make low-speed vehicles more noticeable around farms, private roads, properties.
Rank #4
- Size: 16 X 14 inches made of Heavy Duty Rust Free .040 Aluminum.
- Includes: Each package includes 2 Slow Moving Vehicle Signs, Safety Triangle Signs.
- Easy to Install: It comes with 2 pre-drilled mounting holes, for easy installation.
- High Quality: Our sturdy and strong metal sign is corrosion preventing, UV protected, waterproof, weatherproof and non-fading. Outdoor service life up to 7 years.
- Visible Warning: The clear lettering go straight to the point of the warning content "Slow".
Rank #3
- Reflective triangle sticker, slow moving vehicle sign, reflective decals for motorcycles
- Bright colors and clearly visible from a long distance, highly reflective and visible at night
- A reflective sign to put on the back of your golf cart or tractors; suitable for a variety of slow-moving vehicles
- Easy to install and mount on your tailgate; perfect for golf carts, farm tractors, or anyone who wants to keep themselves visible on the road and remind other drivers
- Featuring bright red colors and highly reflective. Package comes in a pack of 2 triangle reflective stickers
Rank #2
- Made of heavy duty aluminum, sturdy and durable; metal reflective triangle for slow moving vehicles
- Bright colors and clearly visible from a long distance, highly reflective and visible at night; measures 15.6 x 13.6 inches and 40 mil thick, a proper size for any cart, tractor or trailer
- A reflective sign to put on the back of your golf cart or tractors; suitable for a variety of slow-moving vehicles
- Easy to install and mount on your tailgate; perfect for golf carts, farm tractors, or anyone who wants to keep themselves visible on the road and remind other drivers
- Pre-drilled four holes in case you may use zip ties instead of screws
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
