§ 74.61. Maximum axle load, wheel load and gross weights for solid-tired vehicles.

A.

No vehicle, trackless trolley, load, object or structure, having a maximum axle load greater than sixteen thousand pounds when such vehicle is operated with solid rubber tires shall be operated or moved upon the improved public highways, streets, bridges or culverts. The maximum wheel load of any one wheel of any such vehicle shall not exceed six hundred fifty pounds per inch of width of tire, measured as prescribed by R.C. § 5577.03, nor shall any solid tire of rubber or other resilient material, on any wheel of any such vehicle, be less than one inch thick when measured from the top of the flanges of the tire channel.

B.

The weight of the vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface by any two successive axles, spaced four feet or less apart, shall not exceed nineteen thousand pounds for solid tires, or by any two successive axles spaced more than four feet but less than eight feet apart shall not exceed twenty-four thousand pounds for solid tires; or by any two successive axles, spaced eight feet or more apart, shall not exceed twenty-eight thousand pounds for solid tires; nor shall the total weight of vehicle and load exceed, for solid rubber tires, twenty-eight thousand pounds plus an additional six hundred pounds for each foot or fraction thereof of spacing between the front axle and the rearmost axle of the vehicle; nor shall the weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface by any vehicle equipped with solid rubber tires, exceed eighty percent of the permissible weight of vehicle and load as provided for pneumatic tires.

C.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a vehicle is towing another vehicle, such drawbar or other connection shall be of a length such as will limit the spacing between nearest axles of the respective vehicles to a distance not in excess of twelve feet and six inches. If the provisions of this section are held to exceed the weight limitations or other provisions set forth in the "Federal Aid Highway Act of 1958," 72 Stat. 902, 23 U.S.C. 127, this section shall become null and void to the extent of such inconsistency.

D.

Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars for a first offense; for a second offense within one year thereafter, such person shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than ten days, or both; for a subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, such person shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(Ord. 12-1991)