(A) Except as provided in Section 56-5-4140(2), the provisions of this article governing size, weight, and load do not apply to fire apparatus, road machinery or implements, and products of husbandry including farm tractors, timber equipment, liquid fertilizer storage facilities, and vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport, store, or spread lime, nitrogen, or other soil improvement products for agricultural purposes moved upon the highways so as not to damage the highways nor unduly interfere with highway traffic, or to vehicles operated under terms of special permits issued pursuant to this chapter. The exemptions do not apply to Section 56-5-4230. With regard to vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport, store, or spread soil improvement products and to transport products of husbandry exempted pursuant to this section, the owners shall obtain an annual permit to operate the vehicle as provided in Section 57-3-130 which prescribes the specific conditions of the exemption.

(B) For purposes of this section, 'timber equipment' means implements of silviculture including, but not limited to, machinery used in establishing, tending, harvesting, and protecting forest crops such as tree shears, chippers, slashers, log loaders, skidders, and fellers.

(C) None of the vehicles or devices exempted by this section may exceed twelve feet in width, except farm implements which may not exceed sixteen feet in width, and they may be moved only in clear weather conditions during daylight hours.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-653; 1952 Code Section 46-653; 1949 (46) 466; 1954 (48) 1551; 1975 (59) 209; 1976 Act No. 588 Section 3; 1977 Act No. 77; 1980 Act No. 450; 1983 Act No. 151 Part II Section 28A; 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 39B.