Other agricultural machinery
Towed interchangeable agricultural machinery is not only presented but finally also given coverage and harmonization for these key features:
- Brakes:Pneumatic and hydraulic system will be unified at the European level and made compatible as regards the safety level on new tractors.
- Lights:Given requisites derived from those on industrial trailers.
- Towing devices:The various types are codified and coupled with those provided for tractors.
- Mass and size:For mass, a common European denominator is established as for industrial trailers; it will be possible to type-approve trailers of 10, 18, 24 and 32 ton capacities with 1,2,3 or 4 axles respectively. For all towed machinery other than trailers maximum width for travel is increased from 2.55 to 3 meters.
This brings the brief excursion in the world of type-approval to a conclusion.
Since 1 January 2016, EU type approval has become possible for agricultural trailers (category R) and agricultural interchangeable towed equipment (category S).
However, in the new EU framework Regulation 167/2013, the definitions of both categories have been changed when compared to the previously existing definitions of the former Tractor Directive 2003/37/EC.
The goal behind the change was to allow an appropriate and consistent category assignment for these vehicles, particularly for those that could be considered to be in the 'grey zone'. For instance:
- What to do with a vehicle that has a specific function other than only transporting goods but the ratio of the mass of a fully laden vehicle versus the mass of the same vehicle in empty condition is more than 3?
- Or: how should you categorize a vehicle whose main function is transport of goods but its ratio is less than 3 and it also has other functions (e.g. pick-up products from the field, distribution of liquids...)?
A dedicated CEMA Project Team has come up with clarifications and a number of specific examples from different manufacturers to illustrate how to categorise agricultural towed vehicles.
This information can be found HERE.
