Submission on Draft Land Transport Rule, Agricultural Vehicles ...

Towing connection components must be fit for purpose and in
sound condition;
A coupling pin must:
a) be of a diameter that is appropriate for the diameter of the tractor
or trailer coupling, whichever has the smaller diameter hole; and b)
have a diameter that is less than 75% of the diameter of the larger
of the coupling holes; and
c) have a retaining mechanism
Tow-eyes must not be worn at any point more than the lesser of:
a) 10% of the original diameter; or
b) the manufacturer’s wear tolerance
An Agricultural trailer fitted with a towing connection other than a
two-point or three-point linkage must have a safety chain
permanently attached to it and that chain must:
a) have a breaking strength of a least the gross mass towed; and
b) have its breaking strength identified; and
c) be attached to the trailer by means other than by welding of the
chain itself; and
d) be adjustable in length to eliminate a tight or loose chain.
A tractor used to tow an agricultural trailer must have an attachment
point which a safety chain can be securely connected.
4.7 Over-dimension vehicles
4.8 As Federated Farmers previously stated in its submission on the Agriculture Vehicle
Review, we welcome the proposal to increase the current three metre forward
overhang threshold to four metres. However, many large modern tractors with front
end loaders, or front mounted implements fitted will still be unable to comply. Despite
this, Federated Farmers understands and shares concern about the potential safety
risk of increasing the maximum threshold beyond four metres and we agree it is
important to manage the safety risk.
4.9 We would like to reiterate the point we made in our previous submission that road
controlling authorities and property owners should ensure there is a clear five metres
between the entrance to a property and the road free from trees or other vegetation
do there is clear visibility in both directions at intersections and access ways.
4.10 Hazard warnings
4.11 Federated Farmers welcomes the proposals to introduce alternative hazard panels
and to allow parts of an agricultural vehicle which overhang the front of the vehicle to
be painted in high visibility paint.
4.12 The Federation continues to believe that European panels should be allowed to be
used, but we do commend NZTA for allowing alternative configurations.
4.13 The Federation also continues to recommend that officials consider increasing the
vehicle width before hazard panels are required be increased from 2.5 to three
metres.
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