Home / Roads / Towing Disabled Vehicles

Towing Disabled Vehicles

Towing a stuck or broken machine looks simple and often is not. Loads, connections and braking all change, and the risk falls on the person nearby.

Why is towing risky on a farm?

A disabled vehicle may have no engine power, no power steering or reduced brakes. Pulling it changes how both vehicles behave, and a failed connection can send a chain, strap or hitch flying.

Many farm towing injuries come from people standing near the connection, working under a load or using equipment for something it was not designed to do.

Slope, wet ground and a heavy load make every one of these hazards worse, and they often occur together on farm roads and field edges.

• Never stand in line with a chain, strap or cable that is under load
• Do not use gear that is frayed, cracked, kinked or unrated for the job

Should you tow it yourself or call for help?

Decide early. If the vehicle is heavy, damaged, on a slope or road, or if you are not sure your equipment can handle it, call a qualified recovery service or your dealer. Cost is a real worry, but it is smaller than an injury.

Check with your insurer about coverage and approved services before you need them, and keep the numbers in the cab.

A professional recovery crew has the training and equipment for lifting, tilting and heavy pulls, and many carry insurance for the work.

How do you check equipment and connections?

Use equipment made for towing, in good condition and rated for the job. The ratings and limits are on the equipment and in the manufacturer's manual, so read them and do not guess. Replace anything frayed, cracked or worn.

Attach at points the manufacturer designates for towing. Hitching to the wrong point, such as an axle or a seat, can cause the vehicle to tip or the connection to fail.

If you are not sure of a rating, treat the gear as unsuitable and do not use it. Guessing at limits is how connections fail.

• Use rated, undamaged towing gear
• Connect only at designated points
• Read the manuals for both vehicles
• Check that lights and brakes work on the towed unit

What should the driver and the helper agree on?

Settle signals and roles before anything moves. Who drives, who watches, who stops the job, and where everyone stands should be clear. Keep people out of the line of the tow connection and out of the path of both machines.

Move slowly and smoothly. Avoid jerking, which puts sudden loads on connections. If anything looks wrong, stop and reassess.

Never let anyone ride on or in a vehicle that is being towed unless the manufacturer and local rules allow it, and keep children well away from the work.

What about towing on roads?

Towing on a public road brings legal requirements for lights, signs, speed and equipment, and these vary by state and county. Check with your state highway patrol or department of transportation before moving a disabled vehicle on a road.

Weather, darkness and traffic make it riskier. Where possible, wait for conditions to improve or use a professional carrier.

Plan the route, and think about hills, curves and railroad crossings before you start moving.

What if the vehicle is stuck, tipped or on a slope?

A tipped or sinking vehicle, or one on a steep grade, is a different problem from a simple tow. Loads can shift, and a vehicle can roll or fall without warning. Keep everyone away, call 911 if a person is trapped or injured, and wait for trained recovery crews.

Do not improvise rescue steps. Training from extension programs, fire departments and farm rescue groups can prepare you before an emergency.

• Keep bystanders and children well back
• Do not stand beside or under anything that could shift
• Wait for trained crews when a person is trapped
• Call 911 for any injury or entrapment

How do you reduce the need to tow?

Regular maintenance prevents many breakdowns. Follow service schedules, address warning lights and noises, and fuel and fluid levels, and avoid overloading machines. Keep a record of repairs so patterns are visible.

Plan field routes that avoid soft ground and steep banks. Talk with workers about when to stop and ask for help rather than push on.

• Follow service schedules and record repairs
• Fix warning lights and noises promptly
• Avoid soft ground and steep banks
• Keep recovery contacts in the cab

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.