CLIMMAROctober 2008

Keith ChristianDirector of the;

British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association

Tractor/Trailer Brake Testing

• Studies in the UK have indicated a need for regular inspections of agricultural vehicles

• Current Health and Safety legislation requires employers to ensure their equipment meets Health and Safety regulations and is ‘Fit for Purpose’

• BAGMA train dealer staff to become Thorough Inspectors to carry out legally recognised inspections on agricultural vehicles

• Unfortunately there is no current enforcement of the above legislation due to a lack of government resources

• Recent debate has concentrated on a voluntary scheme to ensure regular inspections of agricultural vehicles and trailers

Agricultural Vehicle TestingAgricultural Vehicle Testing

• 68% of Tractors on the road in the UK are not road legal

• Tractor braking efficiency generally meets the legal requirements

• Hydraulic hoses and lights were the most faulty items

• Worn hitches and couplings were considered the most dangerous faults

• Trailer braking efficiency (normally25%) was very poor

Research ResultsResearch Results• Enforcement of regular inspections is desirable

• A voluntary scheme should be considered with advantages to the owners such as reduced insurance costs

• Brake testing for tractors and trailers is necessary

• Speed and weights for tractor/trailer combinations need reviewing

• The condition of agricultural vehicles on the road in the UK needs to be improved

Research ConclusionsResearch Conclusions

Additional ResearchAdditional Research

• A high tractor brake failure rate was discovered

• Tractor brakes generally met the required 50% brake efficiency

• Trailer brakes did not meet the required 25% brake efficiency

• Warranty claims for failed tractor brakes were the highest in Europe

• Higher speeds and weights with tractor/trailer combinations were

considered to be the main cause of tractor brake failure

• A trailer brake test and inspection scheme was required

Proposed EC Amendmentof Braking Systems on Agricultural Vehicles

and Trailers

Proposed EC Amendmentof Braking Systems on Agricultural Vehicles

and Trailers

REGULATION (EC) No (…/….) OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of […]

on the braking systems of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery, amending Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 89/173/EEC

and repealing Council Directive 76/432/EEC

EC Tractor and Trailer Braking RevisionEC Tractor and Trailer Braking Revision

Practical requirements include

Substantially greater trailer braking performance

Failsafe trailer brakes (upon accidental disconnection)

Trailer parking brake system to be applied from tractor seat

Trailer & towed equipment braking systems to be subject to Type Approval testing (currently no assessment of new trailer braking performance exists before sale)

EC revision of the (76/432/EEC) agricultural vehicle braking directive

Likely to become a UK national requirement for new vehicles by 2009/10

• UK max. permissible gross train weight (GTW) = 24390 kg (24 tons)• Trailer max weight = 18290 kg• Tractor max weight therefore = 6190 kg (typical 100 – 150hp 4wd)• Typical 14-16 tonne trailer + 200hp 4wd tractor = ~30,000 kg GTW ... ~25% overweight !

• Up to 75% of combination kinetic energy comes from the trailer • Max UK road speed = 20 mph (32 km/h) – despite EC tractor Type Approval to 40 km/h• UK requires suspended axles and Commercial Vehicle braking performance above 20 mph

The Current UK SituationThe Current UK Situation

75%25%

Trailer Braking SummeryTrailer Braking Summery

• Use of Ag. Spec. trailers at higher speeds

Inadequate trailer braking performance

Excessive wear & premature brake failure

Leaves the tractor to do more of the braking

Prematurely wears the tractor brake system

Increased accident risk

• 70% of premature tractor brake wear warranty claims originate from UK / Eire

• Selection & maintenance of appropriate specification trailer brakes could avoid this

• Braking performance of current trailers likely to remain a problem. Legislation only applies to new equipment it will be 10 years before ‘in-use’ compliance is mandatory

• But more tractors will travel faster; more brakes will wear rapidly, more cost will be incurred until a significant accident necessitates Government action!!

• Safer road use and reduced accidents

• Less trailer jack-knifing risk

• Extended Tractor/Trailer braking system operating life

• Tractor and Trailed Equipment manufacturers would experience economic benefit

• Reduced warranty Claims

• Less opposition to higher road speeds

• Possibilities for increased speed and weight

What Are the Benefits?

Improved Agricultural Trailer Braking Improved Agricultural Trailer Braking

Tractor/Trailer Braking Proposals in the UKTractor/Trailer Braking Proposals in the UK• Due to illegal high speed operations of tractor/trailer combinations in the UK and

new EC braking legislation a proposal has been made to increase weights and speeds of tractor/trailer combinations from 32km/h to 48km/h and 24,390kg to 32,500kg gross train weight

• An inspection and testing criteria would be put in place for vehicles that want to benefit from higher weights and speeds ( no inspections exist at this time)

• Vehicle combinations would have to meet new braking standards to qualify

• A new road tax tariff and licensing criteria would apply

• A National register would be created to hold information of qualifying and tested combinations

• Inspection and testing procedures would be approved to a National and European standard

• BAGMA ‘s Brake Safe technology and inspection procedures may be adopted

BAGMA Brake Safe UnitBAGMA Brake Safe Unit

BAGMA Brake Safe UnitBAGMA Brake Safe Unit Testing Trailer WeightsTesting Trailer Weights