Wenger Feeds is committed to delivering feed to its customers both safely and efficiently. Many customers know that Wenger Feeds is able to deliver permit loads that transport more feed than the normal load. However, not everyone fully understands the regulations that restrict these permit loads from traveling under certain conditions.
Following the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the total weight that is allowed on the road, including the weight of the truck and trailer, is 80,000 pounds. This weight restriction limits the amount of feed that Wenger Feeds can deliver to about 46,000 pounds or 23 tons. In order to legally transport heavier loads of feed, a special hauling permit must be obtained for overweight loads, which allows the total weight to be up to 95,000 pounds. These special hauling permits must be renewed yearly, and each tractor must have its own permit. In order for the permit loads to legally be delivered to the customer, it may only travel on state-approved routes. The driver hauling the permit load may not exceed one mile off of the approved routes and is not allowed to travel on interstate highways or township routes. Planned routes for permit load deliveries must also be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where they must be approved in order to be legally used for feed deliveries. The state may deny approval of the route if it includes parts not fit for overweight loads like certain bridges. It is also important to remember that in order to deliver permit loads, Wenger Feeds might incur additional miles since the route that must be taken for this type of delivery might be longer than the route that can be taken with loads that are not overweight.
In order to legally transport heavier loads of feed, a special hauling permit must be obtained for overweight loads, which allows the total weight to be up to 95,000 pounds.
Even with a hauling permit for overweight loads and a state-approved route for hauling feed, permit loads cannot travel every day or in all conditions. Due to heavy traffic on the roads, the state restricts the hauling of overweight loads during holidays. These holidays include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Transporting these loads is restricted a few days before each holiday and until noon on the day following the holiday. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation also restricts the hauling of overweight loads during unfavorable weather and road conditions—snow or ice covered roads, sufficient winds, and rain, fog, or snow that significantly restricts visibility.
The penalty for violating these regulations would be a large fine and possible suspension of the special hauling permit. Wenger Feeds is committed to following the legal requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
For more information about Wenger Feeds’ Products and Services, contact us.