(a) The maximum wheel load of any one wheel of any vehicle, trackless trolley, load, object, or structure operated or moved upon improved public highways, streets, bridges, or culverts shall not exceed six hundred fifty pounds per inch width of pneumatic tire, measured as prescribed by Ohio R.C. 5577.03.
(b) The weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface by vehicles with pneumatic tires shall not exceed any of the following weight limitations:
(1) On any one axle, twenty thousand pounds;
(2) On any tandem axle, thirty-four thousand pounds;
(3) On any two or more consecutive axles, the maximum weight as determined by application of the formula provided in division (d) of this section.
(c) The maximum overall gross weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface shall not exceed eighty thousand pounds.
(d) For purposes of division (b)(3) of this section, the maximum gross weight on any two or more consecutive axles shall be determined by application of the following formula:
W = 500 ((LN/N-1) + 12N + 36).
In this formula, W equals the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds, L equals the distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N equals the number of axles in the group under consideration. However, two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand pounds each, provided the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is thirty-six feet or more.
(e) 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.
(f) As used in this section, "tandem axle" means two consecutive axles whose centers may be included between parallel transverse vertical planes spaced more than forty inches but not more than ninety-six inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle.
(Ord. 22-92. Passed 11-17-92.)
(g) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.