ASABE Regulations for Agricultural Lighting

This article outlines the federal lighting requirements for agricultural motor vehicles, tractors, and trailers used on roadways as set by the ASABE. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is a group that promotes the progress of engineering in agricultural, food, and biological markets through regulations, education, and scientific research. 

The ASABE Standard 279: Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways was developed in 1954 and is modified regularly. In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adopted ASABE Standard 279.14 under mandates set by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

The regulations below refer to the ANSI/ASAE S279.18 code and ASABE Standard 279.14 documents. The ASABE defines “agricultural field equipment” as “any agricultural tractor, self-propelled machine, implement or combination primarily designed for agricultural field operations.” Agricultural motor vehicles must have two red rear lamps and two white front lamps. Lights, if installed, must be clean, unobscured, and in good working order even during daylight. Lights must be switched on and working when driving after dark or in adverse visibility conditions. Headlamps must be lit during daylight if visibility becomes poor. 

Non-self-propelled equipment is defined in ASABE Standard 279.14 as any piece of equipment that doesn’t have its own engine and is either used manually or with the use of a self-prolled piece of equipment such as a trailer.

Equipment blocking the visibility of tail lamps, flashing warning lamps, or stop lamps on a moving vehicle must be equipped with appropriate lighting to replace the obscured ones. Suppose such devices obstruct the front or rear flashing lamps. In that case, they must be supplemented with at least two amber flashing lamps symmetrically positioned on the vehicle, visible from both the front and rear.

If the turn indicators on the towing vehicle are obstructed, turn indicators must be installed as needed. Similarly, if the towing vehicle's turn indicators are obscured, stop lamps must be installed on machines designed to travel at speeds exceeding 40 km/h. Additionally, all necessary lamps on non-self-propelled equipment must be connected to a seven-terminal plug that is compliant with SAE J560 standards.

Equipment that doesn’t drive should have reflectors and reflective tape. If something on the back or front of a vehicle blocks its lights, like blinkers or brake lights, it needs lights that match the blocked ones. If the blocked light is a brake light and the thing blocking it moves at least 25 miles per hour, it needs a brake light. If the vehicle's tail lights are blocked, symmetrically put at least two red tail lights equidistant on the back of the equipment blocking the lights.

If the equipment blocking a light is less than 6 feet 9 inches wide, spread the tail lights out as much as possible. If the blocked lights are flashing warning lights, put at least two amber flashing lights on the back if they're blocked from the back or on the front if they're blocked from the front. These lights should blink with the vehicle's warning lights. Spread these lights out as much as possible, but keep them between 16 inches and 10 feet high, or 16 inches and 12 feet if needed.

If the vehicle's turn signals are blocked, put turn signals on the nonself-propelled equipment. If they're blocked at the front, put turn signals at the front. If they're blocked at the back, put turn signals at the back.  If blocked, use our tow light kit, which has everything you need for installation. 

Self-propelled equipment is defined as equipment that has an engine and moves without the help of other machinery. Examples include tractors, combines, harvesting machines, etc. 

The lighting requirements of ASABE Standard 279.14 for lighting on self-propelled farm equipment are defined as follows:

The farm equipment must have two headlamps and two red tail lamps positioned at the same height and as far apart as possible. Additionally, it should be equipped with at least two flashing amber warning lights, visible from both the front and rear, if the vehicle's width exceeds 12.14 feet (3.7 meters). Turn signals are mandatory. 

For equipment that travels faster than 25 mph (40 km/h), at least two red rear-facing stop lamps must be installed, illuminating when the brake control is activated. However, only one stop lamp is required if the vehicle is less than 4 feet (1200 mm)  wide. 

Farming equipment traveling at speeds lower than 25 mph (40 km/h) may have red rear-facing stop lamps, and if so, they must be accompanied by two red tail lamps, placed at the same height and as widely spaced as possible. Additionally, two red retro-reflective devices must be visible from the rear.

For vehicles wider than 12.14 (3.7 meters), conspicuity material must be visible from the front and rear. Rotating beacons are required if the agricultural equipment is equipped with them. Each vehicle must display one slow-moving vehicle (SMV) identification emblem. Moreover, specific requirements apply if the agricultural equipment is fitted with CAN bus terminal receptacles.

What is the ASABE?

ASABE stands for American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

What is NHTSA?

NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for finding safety defects, farm equipment requirements and standards for road safety, and furnishing consumers with information regarding motor vehicle safety concerns including when farm equipment is on roadways and highways.

Does farm equipment need a strobe light at night?

Whether day or night, at least two flashing amber warning lights must be visible from both front and rear must be used when the machine is at least 12 feet wide.

Does my tractor need headlights?

Yes. Two headlamps, two red tail lamps, and at least two flashing amber warning lights must be mounted at the same height and spaced laterally as wide as possible.

Are turn signals required on farm equipment?

Yes, self-propelled farm and agricultural equipment must have turn signals provided.

Do I need amber beacons on my agricultural machinery?

Amber warning lights or beacons must be visible from both front and rear when the machine is 12 feet wide or more. 

What is MAP-21?

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141. Section 31601 of MAP-21 contains a non-discretionary mandate concerning daytime and nighttime visibility of agricultural equipment that may be operated on public roads.

What is a self-propelled piece of equipment?

Self-propelled equipment is defined as equipment that has an engine and moves without the help of other machinery. Examples include tractors, combines, harvesting machines, etc. 

What is a non-self-propelled piece of equipment?

Non-self-propelled equipment is defined in ASABE Standard 279.14 as any piece of equipment that doesn’t have its own engine and is either used manually or with the use of a self-prolled piece of equipment such as a trailer.