2000 Minnesota Statutes

     169.825 Weight limitations. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definitions.  The terms defined in 
 this section shall have the meanings given them.  

    Subd. 2.    Gross weight.  "Gross weight" means the 
 weight on any single wheel, single axle or group of consecutive 
 axles and the gross vehicle weight.  

    Subd. 3.    Single axle.  "Single axle" includes all 
 wheels whose centers may be included within two parallel 
 transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart.  

    Subd. 3a.    Tandem.  "Tandem axles" means two 
 consecutive axles whose centers are spaced more than 40 inches 
 and not more than 96 inches apart. 

    Subd. 4.    Single wheel.  "Single wheel" includes two 
 or more wheels with centers less than 48 inches apart on an axle.

    Subd. 5.    Tire width.  "Tire width" means the 
 manufacturer's width as shown on the tire or the width at the 
 widest part of the tire excluding protective side ribs, bars and 
 decorations.  

    Subd. 6.    Tridem axles.  "Tridem axles" mean three 
 axles spaced within 9 feet or less.  

    Subd. 7.    Variable load axle.  "Variable load axle" 
 means any axle which is specifically designed so that, through 
 use of an actuating control, the wheels may be lifted so that 
 the wheels do not contact the road surface or may be lowered to 
 carry loads of varying weights when in contact with the road 
 surface.  

    Subd. 8.    Pneumatic-tired vehicle.  No vehicle or 
 combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires shall be 
 operated upon the highways of this state:  

    (a) Where the gross weight on any wheel exceeds 9,000 
 pounds, except that on designated local routes and state trunk 
 highways the gross weight on any single wheel shall not exceed 
 10,000 pounds. 

    (b) Where the gross weight on any single axle exceeds 
 18,000 pounds, except that on designated local routes and state 
 trunk highways the gross weight on any single axle shall not 
 exceed 20,000 pounds. 

    (c) Where the maximum wheel load: 

    (1) on the foremost and rearmost steering axles, exceeds 
 600 pounds per inch of tire width or the manufacturer's 
 recommended load, whichever is less; or 

    (2) on other axles, exceeds 500 pounds per inch of tire 
 width or the manufacturer's recommended load, whichever is less. 
 Clause (2) applies to new vehicles manufactured after August 1, 
 1991.  For vehicles manufactured before August 2, 1991, the 
 maximum weight per inch of tire width is 600 pounds per inch or 
 the manufacturer's recommended load, whichever is less, until 
 August 1, 1996.  After July 31, 1996, clause (2) applies to all 
 vehicles regardless of date of manufacture. 

    (d) Where the gross weight on any axle of a tridem exceeds 
 15,000 pounds, except that for vehicles to which an additional 
 axle has been added prior to June 1, 1981, the maximum gross 
 weight on any axle of a tridem may be up to 16,000 pounds 
 provided the gross weight of the tridem combination does not 
 exceed 39,900 pounds where the first and third axles of the 
 tridem are spaced nine feet apart.  

    (e) Where the gross weight on any group of axles exceeds 
 the weights permitted under this section with any or all of the 
 interior axles disregarded, and with an exterior axle 
 disregarded if the exterior axle is a variable load axle that is 
 not carrying its intended weight, and their gross weights 
 subtracted from the gross weight of all axles of the group under 
 consideration. 

    Subd. 9.    Vehicle not equipped with pneumatic tires.  
 A vehicle or combination of vehicles not equipped with pneumatic 
 tires shall be governed by the provisions of this section, 
 except that the gross weight limitations shall be reduced by 40 
 percent.  

    Subd. 10.    Gross weight schedule.  (a) No vehicle or 
 combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires shall be 
 operated upon the highways of this state where the total gross 
 weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles of any 
 vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds that given in the 
 following table for the distance between the centers of the 
 first and last axles of any group of two or more consecutive 
 axles under consideration; unless otherwise noted, the distance 
 between axles being measured longitudinally to the nearest even 
 foot, and when the measurement is a fraction of exactly one-half 
 foot the next largest whole number in feet shall be used, except 
 that when the distance between axles is more than three feet 
 four inches and less than three feet six inches the distance of 
 four feet shall be used:  

              Maximum gross weight in pounds on a group of 
                    2                 3                 4  
 Distances     consecutive       consecutive       consecutive  
 in feet       axles of          axles of          axles of 
 between       a 2-axle          a 3-axle          a 4-axle 
 centers       vehicle           vehicle           vehicle 
 of fore-      or of any         or of any         or any com- 
 most and      vehicle or        vehicle or        bination of 
 rearmost      combination       combination       vehicles 
 axles of      of vehicles       of vehicles       having a 
 a group       having a          having a          total of 4 
               total of 2        total of 3        or more axles 
               or more axles     or more axles 
    4          34,000 
    5          34,000 
                       
    6          34,000 
                       
    7          34,000            37,000
   
    8          34,000            38,500
                       
    8 plus     34,000            42,000 
              (38,000) 
    9          35,000            43,000 
              (39,000) 
   10          36,000            43,500            49,000
              (40,000)
   11          36,000            44,500            49,500
   12                            45,000            50,000 
   13                            46,000            51,000 
   14                            46,500            51,500 
   15                            47,500            52,000 
   16                            48,000            53,000 
   17                            49,000            53,500 
   18                            49,500            54,000 
   19                            50,500            55,000 
   20                            51,000            55,500 
   21                            52,000            56,000 
   22                            52,500            57,000 
   23                            53,500            57,500 
   24                            54,000            58,000 
   25                           (55,000)           59,000 
   26                           (55,500)           59,500 
   27                           (56,500)           60,000 
   28                           (57,000)           61,000 
   29                           (58,000)           61,500 
   30                           (58,500)           62,000 
   31                           (59,500)           63,000 
   32                           (60,000)           63,500 
   33                                              64,000 
   34                                              65,000 
   35                                              65,500 
   36                                              66,000 
   37                                              67,000 
   38                                              67,500 
   39                                              68,000 
   40                                              69,000 
   41                                              69,500 
   42                                              70,000 
   43                                              71,000 
   44                                              71,500 
   45                                              72,000 
   46                                              72,500 
   47                                             (73,500)
   48                                             (74,000)
   49                                             (74,500)
   50                                             (75,500)
   51                                             (76,000)

 The maximum gross weight on a group of three consecutive axles 
 where the distance between centers of foremost and rearmost 
 axles is listed as seven feet or eight feet applies only to 
 vehicles manufactured before August 1, 1991. 

 "8 plus" refers to any distance greater than eight feet but less 
 than nine feet.  

    

         Maximum gross weight in pounds on a group of 
                   5                 6                 7 
 Distances     consecutive       consecutive       consecutive 
 in feet       axles of a        axles of          axles of  
 between       5-axle vehicle    a combination     a combination 
 centers       or any com-       of vehicles       of vehicles 
 of fore-      bination of       having a total    having a total 
 most and      vehicles          of 6 or more      of 7 or more 
 rearmost      having a total    axles             axles 
 axles of      of 5 or more 
 a group       axles 
   14          57,000
   15          57,500
   16          58,000 
   17          59,000 
   18          59,500 
   19          60,000 
   20          60,500            66,000            72,000 
   21          61,500            67,000            72,500 
   22          62,000            67,500            73,000 
   23          62,500            68,000            73,500 
   24          63,000            68,500            74,000 
   25          64,000            69,000            75,000 
   26          64,500            70,000            75,500 
   27          65,000            70,500            76,000 
   28          65,500            71,000            76,500 
   29          66,500            71,500            77,000 
   30          67,000            72,000            77,500 
   31          67,500            73,000            78,500 
   32          68,000            73,500            79,000 
   33          69,000            74,000            79,500 
   34          69,500            74,500            80,000 
   35          70,000            75,000 
   36          70,500            76,000 
   37          71,500            76,500 
   38          72,000            77,000 
   39          72,500            77,500 
   40          73,000            78,000 
   41         (74,000)           79,000 
   42         (74,500)           79,500 
   43         (75,000)           80,000 
   44         (75,500) 
   45         (76,500) 
   46         (77,000) 
   47         (77,500) 
   48         (78,000) 
   49         (79,000) 
   50         (79,500) 
   51         (80,000) 

 The gross weights shown in parentheses in this table are 
 permitted only on state trunk highways and routes designated 
 under section 169.832, subdivision 11.  

    (b) Notwithstanding any lesser weight in pounds shown in 
 this table but subject to the restrictions on gross vehicle 
 weights in paragraph (c), two consecutive sets of tandem axles 
 may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each and a combined 
 gross load of 68,000 pounds provided the overall distance 
 between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of 
 tandem axles is 36 feet or more.  

    (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 169.85, the 
 gross vehicle weight of all axles of a vehicle or combination of 
 vehicles shall not exceed:  

    (1) 80,000 pounds for any vehicle or combination of 
 vehicles on all state trunk highways as defined in section 
 160.02, subdivision 2, and for all routes designated under 
 section 169.832, subdivision 11; and 

    (2) 73,280 pounds for any vehicle or combination of 
 vehicles with five axles or less on all routes, other than state 
 trunk highways and routes that are designated under section 
 169.832, subdivision 11; and 

    (3) 80,000 pounds for any vehicle or combination of 
 vehicles with six or more axles on all routes, other than state 
 trunk highways and routes that are designated under section 
 169.832, subdivision 11.  

    (d) Repealed, 1991 c 333 s 39 

    (e) The maximum weights specified in this subdivision for 
 five consecutive axles shall not apply to a four axle ready mix 
 concrete truck which was equipped with a fifth axle prior to 
 June 1, 1981.  The maximum gross weight on four or fewer 
 consecutive axles of vehicles excepted by this clause shall not 
 exceed any maximum weight specified for four or fewer 
 consecutive axles in this subdivision. 

    Subd. 11.    Gross weight seasonal increases.  (a) The 
 limitations provided in this section are increased:  

    (1) by ten percent from January 1 to March 7 each winter, 
 statewide; 

    (2) by ten percent from December 1 through December 31 each 
 winter in the zone bounded as follows:  beginning at Pigeon 
 River in the northeast corner of Minnesota; thence in a 
 southwesterly direction along the north shore of Lake Superior 
 along trunk highway No. 61 to the junction with trunk highway 
 No. 210; thence westerly along trunk highway No. 210 to the 
 junction with trunk highway No. 10; thence northwesterly along 
 trunk highway No. 10 to the Minnesota-North Dakota border; 
 thence northerly along that border to the Minnesota-Canadian 
 Border; thence easterly along said Border to Lake Superior; and 

    (3) by ten percent from the beginning of harvest to 
 November 30 each year for the movement of sugar beets and 
 potatoes within an area having a 75-mile radius from the field 
 of harvest to the point of the first unloading.  The 
 commissioner shall not issue permits under this clause if to do 
 so will result in a loss of federal highway funding to the state.

    (b) The duration of a ten percent increase in load limits 
 is subject to limitation by order of the commissioner, subject 
 to implementation of springtime load restrictions, or March 7.  

    (c) When the ten percent increase is in effect, a permit is 
 required for a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer 
 combination that has a gross weight in excess of 80,000 pounds, 
 an axle group weight in excess of that prescribed in subdivision 
 10, or a single axle weight in excess of 20,000 pounds and which 
 travels on interstate routes.  

    (d) In cases where gross weights in an amount less than 
 that set forth in this section are fixed, limited, or restricted 
 on a highway or bridge by or under another section of this 
 chapter, the lesser gross weight as fixed, limited, or 
 restricted may not be exceeded and must control instead of the 
 gross weights set forth in this section.  

    (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
 subdivision, no vehicle may exceed a total gross vehicle weight 
 of 80,000 pounds on routes which have not been designated by the 
 commissioner under section 169.832, subdivision 11. 

    (f) The commissioner may, after determining the ability of 
 the highway structure and frost condition to support additional 
 loads, grant a permit extending seasonal increases for vehicles 
 using portions of routes falling within two miles of the 
 southern boundary of the zone described under paragraph (a), 
 clause (2). 

    Subd. 12. Repealed, 1982 c 617 s 27 

    Subd. 12a.    Gross weight reduction on restricted route. 
  The maximum weight on any single axle, two consecutive axles 
 spaced within eight feet or less, three consecutive axles spaced 
 within nine feet or less, or four consecutive axles spaced 
 within 14 feet or less shall not exceed 18,000 pounds, 34,000 
 pounds, 43,000 pounds, or 51,500 pounds respectively multiplied 
 by a factor of the axle weight in tons allowed on the restricted 
 route divided by nine.  No combination of axle weights shall 
 exceed those weights specified in Minnesota Statutes 1981 
 Supplement, section 169.825, subdivision 10 for nondesignated 
 routes.  

    Subd. 13.    Consecutive axle weight and number of axles. 
  No vehicle alone nor any single vehicle of a combination of 
 vehicles shall be equipped with more than four axles unless the 
 additional axles are steering axles or castering axles; provided 
 that the limitation on the number of axles as provided in this 
 section shall not apply to any vehicle operated under permit 
 pursuant to section 169.86.  No vehicle alone nor any single 
 vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall exceed the posted 
 weight limit for a single vehicle.  

    Subd. 14.    Variable load axle.  A vehicle or 
 combination of vehicles equipped with one or more variable load 
 axles shall have the pressure control preset so that the weight 
 carried on the variable load axle may not be varied by the 
 operator during transport of any load.  The actuating control 
 for the axle shall function only as an on and off switch.  The 
 provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any farm truck 
 registered prior to July 1, 1981, under section 168.013, 
 subdivision 1c, for 57,000 pounds or less.  This subdivision 
 does not apply to rear-loading refuse compactor vehicles, except 
 that any refuse compactor vehicle having a tridem rear axle must 
 comply with this subdivision before being issued a special 
 permit under section 169.86, subdivision 5, paragraph (h).  

    Subd. 15.    Application to city vehicle, trunk highway. 
  The provisions of this section do not apply to vehicles 
 operated exclusively in any city in this state which has in 
 effect an ordinance regulating the gross weight of vehicles 
 operated within that city.  This subdivision does not apply to 
 trunk highways.  

    Subd. 16.    Application to tow truck.  This section 
 does not apply to a tow truck or towing vehicle when towing a 
 disabled vehicle damaged in such manner that the towed vehicle 
 cannot be towed from the rear and when the movement is temporary 
 for the purpose of taking the disabled vehicle to a place of 
 repair. 

    Subd. 17.    Application to utility vehicle.  This 
 section does not apply to a utility vehicle that does not exceed 
 a weight of 20,000 pounds per axle and is owned by: 

    (1) a public utility, as defined in section 216B.02; 

    (2) a municipality or municipal utility that operates that 
 vehicle for its municipal electric, gas, or water system; and 

    (3) a cooperative electric association organized under 
 chapter 308A. 

    HIST: 1981 c 321 s 4; 1982 c 424 s 42; 1982 c 617 s 11-13; 
 1983 c 198 s 9; 1986 c 398 art 13 s 6-9; 1986 c 452 s 20; 
 1Sp1986 c 3 art 4 s 13; 1991 c 112 s 4; 1991 c 333 s 18,19; 1992 
 c 578 s 7-10; 1994 c 635 art 1 s 16; 1998 c 372 art 1 s 8; 2000 
 c 433 s 1 

*   NOTE:  Subdivision 17, as added by Laws 2000, chapter 433, 
*section 1, is repealed June 1, 2003.  Laws 2000, chapter 433, 
*section 4.