348.15 Weight limitations on class “A” highways.

1,165 words·~5 min read·/wi/chapter-348/348-15-2

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)In this section “class ‘A’ highway” includes all state trunk highways and connecting highways and those county trunk highways, town highways and city and village streets, or portions thereof, that have not been designated as class “B” highways pursuant to s. 349.15 .

(3)Subject to any modifications made by a 1st class city under s. 349.15

(3)and except as provided in s. 348.17

(5)or

(6), no person, without a permit, may operate on a class “A” highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles complies with the following weight limitations:

(a)The gross weight imposed on the highway by any one wheel or multiple wheels supporting one end of an axle may not exceed 11,000 pounds.

(b)The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 20,000 pounds or, if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, or is a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle to or from a farm-related destination, 23,000 pounds. In addition, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of the steering axle of a truck tractor may not exceed 13,000 pounds unless the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the axle and the tires is sufficient to carry the weight, but not to exceed 20,000 pounds.

(bg)In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively milk from the point of production to the primary market and the return of dairy supplies and dairy products from such primary market to the farm, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,000 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is shown in par.

(c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

(br)In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively scrap metal, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in par.

(c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

(bv)In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used primarily for the transportation of septage, as defined in s. 281.49

(m), the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in par.

(c)or, for groups of 4 or more consecutive axles more than 10 feet apart, a weight of 6,000 pounds more than is shown in par.

(c)or, for groups of 5 or more consecutive axles more than 14 feet apart, a weight of 7,000 pounds more than is shown in par.

(c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

(c)The gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed the maximum gross weights in the following table for each of the respective distances between axles and the respective numbers of axles of a group: [See Figure 348.15

(c)following]

- See PDF for table

(d)Notwithstanding pars.

(c)and

(g), 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may impose on the highway a gross load of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.

(e)Notwithstanding pars.

(a),

(b)and

(c), in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively livestock, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars.

(a),

(b)and

(c)by 15 percent if the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed the maximum gross weight specified for that vehicle or combination of vehicles under par.

(c). This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

1. In this paragraph:

a. “Heavy-duty vehicle” has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104

(a)(4).

b. “Idle reduction technology” has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104

(a)(5).

2. Notwithstanding pars.

(a)to

(c)and

(g), sub.

(4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16 , and subject to subd. 3. , in the case of a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars.

(a)to

(c)or

(g)or posted as provided in s. 348.17

(1)by not more than 550 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less.

3. This paragraph applies only if the heavy-duty vehicle operator, upon request, proves, by written certification, the weight of the idle reduction technology and, by demonstration or certification, that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times.

(g)Notwithstanding par.

(c), if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, or is a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle to or from a farm-related destination, the gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not exceed the maximum gross weights in the following table for each of the respective distances between axles and the respective numbers of axles of a group: [See Figure 348.15

(g)following]