Anybody a tractor driver?

[julianm]

Would like some inside info on the use of `tractor + trailer` as an alternative to HGV haulage.
On the way to work today spotted 2 T+T `s from a local agribusiness fully 27 miles from the `farm` they operate from.
That means ~ 8 miles on dual carriageway & the rest on a trunk road. Lots of tailbacks of course. Have found a bit of info on the web concerning regulations on the free tax, red diesel & a 20mph (!!!???) limit.
Is this just a way of undercutting the hauliers, farmers `diversifying` or just a consequence of the family farm disappearing?

[TheStoat]

I'm not sure there is any conflict between hauliers and tractor users because the vehicles involved are just so different. JCB Fastrac etc aside, the vast majority of tractors are too slow and fuel inefficient to compete on the road. Then there's the fact that a tractor on the road is stuck doing something other than productive farm work. HGVs are designed for hauling over distance and the majority of tractors aren't

The furthest I ever went in a tractor was about 30 miles I guess. That was to transfer hay from a related farm to ours when the crop had been poor. We did end up on the dual carriageway for two miles and that was frankly scary - even in broad daylight with lights and rotating beacons. Frankly I wouldn't want to do it for a living, even setting aside the meagre rewards

My guess would be the economic pressure to deliver to a wider catchment area to survive in this case...

Edited by TheStoat on Sunday 21st June 14:16