Tractor and timber trailer advice/help!

[gensetsteve]

Not having to get an mot does not mean you can drive in a unroadworthy condition especially these days with the compensation culture. Bending the rules and finding loop holes may be fine until you have an accident then the authorities tend to look into things in detail. The reason the tacho rules came in for commercials is that idiot up north towing 14 hrs a day fell asleep and drove down the railway embankment.

[Kennedy]

Gross weight with braked trailer ( Tractor+trailer+load ) 24,390kg, which means the smaller the tractor the more you can tow.

Gross weight unbraked is 14,230kg.

No UK or EU type approval standards for trailer.

Only indicators needed as long as only used in daylight.

3m width restriction, don't leave mud on road and don't exceed 20mph ( not that you could)

[mattplace]

I have found some info on the VOSA website - but I can't get my head around it!!

Why can't they write it in plain English!!😖

 

Here it is:

"Trailers drawn by Agricultural Motor Vehicles: Regulation 85(1) C&U:

No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle which the gross weight exceeds 14,230kgs drawing one or more wheeled trailers if the weight of the drawing vehicle is less than a quarter of the weight of the trailer or trailers, unless the brakes fitted to each trailer in compliance with regulation 15 or 16 are operated directly by the service braking system fitted to the motor vehicle. No more than 35% of the weight is borne by the drawing vehicle."

 

Regulation 15 & 16 are:

"Braking systems of certain vehicles first used after 01 April 1983: Regulation 15 C&U:

Must comply with the braking requirements of ordinary road vehicles, such as air or hydraulic brakes with two line fail-safe systems.

Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply. Regulation 16 C&U

In summary the following aspects are required:

1. Efficient braking system

2. Brake to apply to at least 1⁄2 of wheels

3. Park brake to operate on at least 2 wheels"

 

So, are they saying; if my tractor and trailer combo doesn't exceed 14,230kgs, then I don't need brakes??

 

OR, are they saying; if my tractor and trailer combo exceeds 14,230kgs then the brakes on the trailer must be operated by the tractors service braking system??

It's the term "service braking system" which is throwing me. Do they mean a hydraulic lever to operate the trailers brakes or it must operate from the tractors braking system??

 

 

Maybe I've been out in the sun too long today because I have read it over and over and it doesn't make sense!😳

 

I hope someone can shed some light!!

[Kennedy]

If its under 14230kg all in ( tractor + trailer + load ) you don't need brakes, If its over the brakes on trailer must work when you push brake pedal in tractor.

[mattplace]

Thanks Kennedy!

[openspaceman]

 

"Trailers drawn by Agricultural Motor Vehicles: Regulation 85(1) C&U:

No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle which the gross weight exceeds 14,230kgs drawing one or more wheeled trailers if the weight of the drawing vehicle is less than a quarter of the weight of the trailer or trailers, unless the brakes fitted to each trailer in compliance with regulation 15 or 16 are operated directly by the service braking system fitted to the motor vehicle. No more than 35% of the weight is borne by the drawing vehicle."

 

 

So if the Gross Combination Weight exceeds 14,230kg and the tractor is less than a quarter of this weight the brakes must operate from the tractor service brake. Event then the weight the trailer imposes on the tractor must not exceed a maximum of 14.230*.35= about 5 tonnes.

 

Regulation 15 & 16 are:

"Braking systems of certain vehicles first used after 01 April 1983: Regulation 15 C&U:

Must comply with the braking requirements of ordinary road vehicles, such as air or hydraulic brakes with two line fail-safe systems.

Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply. Regulation 16 C&U

 

I got my date wrong in an earlier post when I said 1986

 

In summary the following aspects are required:

1. Efficient braking system

2. Brake to apply to at least 1⁄2 of wheels

3. Park brake to operate on at least 2 wheels"

 

So, are they saying; if my tractor and trailer combo doesn't exceed 14,230kgs, then I don't need brakes??

 

 

Not at all, it says if it exceeds 14230 then the brakes must operate when the service brake is used.

 

Next it says the brakes must be efficient ( and this covers trail;ers exceeding 750kg) and must operate on 1/2 of the wheels and the parking brake on 2 wheels. which is why I suggested adding brakes to the fornt pair of axles.

 

OR, are they saying; if my tractor and trailer combo exceeds 14,230kgs then the brakes on the trailer must be operated by the tractors service braking system??

 

 

Yes

 

It's the term "service braking system" which is throwing me. Do they mean a hydraulic lever to operate the trailers brakes or it must operate from the tractors braking system??

 

It means when you push the brake pedal of the tractor it must operate the brakes on the trailer proportionally to the braking of the tractor as opposed to the driver operating a separate lever for the trailer brakes.

[A Townsend]

So if the Gross Combination Weight exceeds 14,230kg and the tractor is less than a quarter of this weight the brakes must operate from the tractor service brake. Event then the weight the trailer imposes on the tractor must not exceed a maximum of 14.230*.35= about 5 tonnes.

 

 

 

I got my date wrong in an earlier post when I said 1986

 

 

 

 

Not at all, it says if it exceeds 14230 then the brakes must operate when the service brake is used.

 

 

A trailer crane is classed as a 'trailed implement' and as such does not require brakes. As soon as you put a load on it it becomes a trailer and requires brakes. All ag kit must comply with the road traffic act (be suitably roadworthy and conform with PUWER)

 

The crux of all this is that everything is always alright till something goes wrong and bearing in mind the stupidity of other road users its not worth taking the risk over a little outlay for brakes.

 

Cheers,

 

Andrew

[renewablejohn]

Only took my MF550 on the road once with the timber trailer and it scared me so now stick with the MB Trac in 4WD and its far safer. Still restricted to 20mph but any faster around here and your bound to be pulled.

[gensetsteve]

Only took my MF550 on the road once with the timber trailer and it scared me so now stick with the MB Trac in 4WD and its far safer. Still restricted to 20mph but any faster around here and your bound to be pulled.

 

I think you are right you cant beat 4x4 and 6 tonnes on the front for that job.

200 hp is nice as well