Federated Farmers gains reprieve from ludicrous towbar rules

Friday, 23 Sep, 2005

The Land Transport Heavy Vehicles Rule stipulates that the towing connection of a tractor, other than a three point linkage, must clearly display on or near the coupling, the maximum mass of any vehicle that may be towed and the maximum vertical force permitted on the towing connection. The Rule also stipulates that the towing connection on a heavy agricultural trailer (greater than 3500 kg), other than a two-point or three-point linkage, must have clearly displayed the gross mass (maximum loaded mass) of the trailer and the maximum vertical force at the coupling when the trailer is fully loaded.

The reality is that the force needed to pull a trailer is much less than its full weight, because most of the weight is transferred to the ground - it is not as though the tractor has to lift the full weight of the trailer off the ground. For example, one tractor manufacturer stipulates that one of its tractors can exert maximum drawbar pull of 11.5 tonnes, yet this tractor is the recommended size to pull a 15 tonne silage wagon.

A group Federated Farmers representatives, including the Grains Council, met with Land Transport New Zealand recently with the objective of achieving a stay of proceedings pending a full investigation into the nature and the extent of the safety issues LTNZ is seeking to address. Federated Farmers is committed to finding a practical solution to genuine safety issues identified by that Land Transport NZ that are not covered by other current Rules and Regulations. In the meantime farmers are asked to remember follow the following key safety requirements - follow these and we see no reason why safety will be compromised.

See and be seen (that's lights at night)
Ensure your tractor breaks are in good working order and that your vehicle combination can stop within 7 metres at 30 km/h - on a flat dry surface
Ensure you have a Warrant of Fitness if travelling over 30 km/h
Ensure you do not exceed 40 km/h if the gross mass of your Ag trailer(s) is more than 1.5 times the gross mass of the tractor
Ensure towing connections are structurally sound
Ensure an appropriately sized and approved drawbar pin, with locking device, is used either recommended manufactures' original equipment or quality "after market" replacement
Adequate safety chain connecting Ag trailer to tractor as a back up should the pin pop out

Federated Farmers members can access specific transport advice through 0800 FARMING (327 646)

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