How do Ag Exemptions Work in Trucking?

I dunno how to do it with an ELD but I’ll bet ya @Catmando can crack an egg of knowledge on this subject

 

Up here we have a 160km radius for “local” trucks. Don’t need a log, just the pre-trip, but a “record of hours worked” has to be maintained and we’re held at the 15hr daily maximum. Payroll covers the records requirement. Once we leave that radius, all the normal HOS rules apply, starting with writing out a duty-cycles worth of logs so you’re legal if asked to produce them. My logs are still all paper. We had to stop trying to switch back and forth. Depending how enforcement views the radius days total hrs with respect to your logged hrs, you may or may not run into an aggregate hrs problem. Was more trouble than it’s worth. Your HOS rules and exemptions are all different than ours, but you may find it’s just better to just log it all like we did. Only way to know for sure is call DOT and throw scenarios at them. That’s what I did, and it turned out to be less headache to just log it. They should tell you what will work and what won’t. They like people who are demonstrably attempting to operate legally.

 

It’s easiest to explain this way. You’re eligible to begin Off Duty starting 150 air miles of en route to Pick Up. You are off duty all the way until that, the load time, and then 150 air miles towards the Delivery destination.

Example…
Originate in Chicago IL, Pick Up in Madison WI, Deliver to Minneapolis MN.

You can begin Off Duty beginning with your PT in Chicago because it’s within 150 air miles of Pick Up. Run off duty all the way to Madison, stay off duty thru the Pick Up, and stay off duty all the way until Osseo WI. Begin regular logging.

Not familiar with ELDs or if Milk is eligible but there is a big arse list somewhere on the FMCSA site.

Make sure you notate locations and times anyways as it makes it easier for a pesky inspection, it shows you’re not hiding anything.

 

Man I can’t help ya with AG rules. However, I’m local and operate under the 150mile rule. Here’s how it breaks down.
I do not run ELD or any type of logging device.
I punch a time clock app on my phone that tracks my daily hours and can be reviewed.
I am allowed to run inside 150 air mile radius from my shop without logs. Once I leave that radius I have to complete a paper log for that trip. I can go outside of my radius and use paper logs 8 times in 30 days. If I exceed that amount then I have to start running ELDs.

If I get an inspection I have to provide 7 days of clock hours and if I’m outside my radius I better have a paper log started.

This information is listed on the FMCSA website.

 

I couldn't of said it any better myself other than that's SORTA how I do it .. but we won't talk about my way on this forum

 

Get an app called Radius on Map. You can drop a pin and run the radius out 150 miles and know exactly where to start logging.

The ag exemption is 150 mile radius of where the load originated. All time spent in that circle is off duty. When I used the exemption with my ELD I logged off duty personal conveyance and just put “MAP21 Ag Exempt” in the remarks.

 

So i don’t even log into my eld until i reach the 150 air mile mark. Then i log in and do not claim the unidentified driving. In remarks i add Ag Exempt. I also stop & log out 150 air miles from the farm on the way back home. Like you i run loaded out & empty home. Been doing this way for years & haven’t had any issues. Remember fueling & pre-trip all get done within that 150 air mile radius so you can do it off duty

 

Raw milk is eligible.. Like you I'am not 100% familiar with ELDs I know the basics..and how they work if your Ag Exempt...but the times I've look at them it brings back bad flash backs of when I was a teenager and the girl I was dating her parents would start flashing the porch light if we sat in my pickup to long so I choose to stay away from them ..

 

Loose-leafs offer a guy a little flexibility.

 

Yes they do !!
And I appreciate the vote of confidence that @motocross25 gave me
When ELDs became mandatory the American Bull Haulers Association send out news letters explaining with different scenarios what was and wasn't legal I hung on to it just in case .. but since I run on paper I don't really worry ..