Unbraked Trailers in Agriculture

[8ob]

Yes but if you do that it then has to work but is not needed legally

You are right Norm, sod the brakes

 

[wookie]

You are right Norm, sod the brakes

ab

What's the problem here ?

The tractor is fine (apart from a slightly bent step) and that's one less polluting VW on the road so everyone's a winner

 

[Justme]

I beg to differ, as I have a trailer that has drum brakes and that only works as a handbrake, there is no possible way for it as built to work as a service brake, so does that mean it falls into the un-braked i.e. sub 750kg category of trailers then ?

It's not homemade, it was produced in volume by a big manufacturer but it is rather old...

You can differ all you like.
The law is clear.
If fitted they must work fully.

 

[normspanners]

t

You can differ all you like.
The law is clear.
If fitted they must work fully.

they do work fully, as they where designed to park the trailer only they where never intended to be used as service brakes and are not required under 20mph anyway.
as amatter of fact was looking at a massy 3 tonner the other day local farmer had bought one from ireland

 

[wookie]

If fitted they must work fully.

They do work fully, it's just they were never designed to be a service brake only ever as a parking brake.

So I'll repeat my question... is it legal to tow said trailer on the road and if so is it effectively classed as un-braked and therefore sub 750kg ?

 

[normspanners]

So I'll repeat my question... is it legal to tow said trailer on the road and if so is it effectively classed as un-braked and therefore sub 750kg ?

Yes read the regs above

You can differ all you like.
The law is clear.
If fitted they must work fully.

although this is a model of a massey 3ton ( I do realise), it gives the basics of how the hand brake is applied whilst on the tractor and the pick up hitch and how the brakes could never work as service brakes unless modified to fit a hydraulic ram as mentioned ,

edit found one

The way the brake works is you stop, with the tractor brakes physically turn round apply the handbrake from the tractor seat, then drop the pickup hitch and the trailer is left with the handbrake on, to save it rolling away on the field etc then the opposite when hitching up, it would be fun trying to apply that lever whilst driving
most arms have been ripped off or rotted away now, and most farmers use a hand-BRICK with them.

 

[wookie]

Thanks @normspanners for the reply

 

[octo0072000]

The biggest problem with tiny trailers is not being able to see them in your mirrors - it makes it difficult to judge where they are and where they're going. Also the short length makes them twitchy going backwards.

I've got a small trailer that's about the same size as those ones from halfords (although it was made in Germany in the 60s ) and I can reverse with it, but it's not much fun sometimes.

so you can see the trailer i used to use a length of garden cane with a bit of rag or a flag on it so you could see the stumpy trailer

 

[Justme]

t

they do work fully, as they where designed to park the trailer only they where never intended to be used as service brakes and are not required under 20mph anyway.
as amatter of fact was looking at a massy 3 tonner the other day local farmer had bought one from ireland

They were designed to be worked from the tractor seat by the driver.

 

[octo0072000]

Yes read the regs above

although this is a model of a massey 3ton ( I do realise), it gives the basics of how the hand brake is applied whilst on the tractor and the pick up hitch and how the brakes could never work as service brakes unless modified to fit a hydraulic ram as mentioned ,

edit found one

The way the brake works is you stop, with the tractor brakes physically turn round apply the handbrake from the tractor seat, then drop the pickup hitch and the trailer is left with the handbrake on, to save it rolling away on the field etc then the opposite when hitching up, it would be fun trying to apply that lever whilst driving
most arms have been ripped off or rotted away now, and most farmers use a hand-BRICK with them.

Norm is correct we used to have a fergie 35 and a 3 ton trailer (load)the same in the 60s hand brake was only for parking
sure the trailer was made by TYE trailer co sure it was york

found one here seem is was a four ton trailer so 3 ton load i presume

picture is of a 4 ton one

TYE FOUR TON TIPPING TRAILER VERY GENUINE
DIRECT FROM FARM £950

https://farm.autotrader.co.uk/used-...5438f4fb0154dd9cf9b30f6e?featuredListing=true

 

[Justme]

They do work fully, it's just they were never designed to be a service brake only ever as a parking brake.

So I'll repeat my question... is it legal to tow said trailer on the road and if so is it effectively classed as un-braked and therefore sub 750kg ?

Sub 750kg? No how can it be? Or it would be over loaded.

It is braked.

Manualy by the driver from his seat.

 

[normspanners]

Manualy by the driver from his seat.

like to see ya do it, you would need long arms Now that would be dangerous

 

[colnerov]

so you can see the trailer i used to use a length of garden cane with a bit of rag or a flag on it so you could see the stumpy trailer

Hi, I have a short box trailer behind the LR 88 and I've found as soon as you see the trailer in the mirrors it's too late, stop and correct by going forward. As long as you can't see the trailer it's more or less in line, going in roughly the right direction but you have to be concious of what steering inputs you're applying, always small ones. After a while I can almost think it back, but if I take a break from it I lose the knack as someone else said up there. /\

Colin

 

[normspanners]

found one here seem is was a four ton trailer so 3 ton load i presume

No agri stuff is rated on payload so 3ton is 3ton load 4ton is 4ton load, reasoning is how is a farm labourer supposed to know the weight of the trailer? if its 4 ton he puts 80 bags of tatties in, easy. ---- meat ----make it easy tayter

 

[normspanners]

I lose the knack

If ya dont use em, you soon loose the knack-as you used to have.

 

[normspanners]

Sub 750kg? No how can it be? Or it would be over loaded.

its a 3ton payload so approx 750 net weight so gross 3750 kg ish

 

[Bill Edwards]

SWMBO is a horseist and part of what she does is schooling, we get about ten nag trailers a day pull into here and invariably they cant turn them around which is ridiculous because its the same space we turn the artic around in. Irrespective of the space given on the test I believe the training is a good thing. If I have the time ( meaning if they are totty) I spend a few moments with them and its amazing the difference a few pointers can make to their reversing skills.

Bob

No disagreement here about the benefit of training, but I feel that 'having passed the trailer test' does not equate to any real degree of competence when it comes to reversing.

What gets me is that according to the government website last time I looked at the rules for what does and doesn't require the test was that it states that most caravan rigs should not fall within the requirements for the test!
Out of farmers, building/mini digger/plant people, horsey folk and caravanners it is the latter which really need training as there must be a heck of a lot more incompetent and dangerous caravan owners on the road than anyone else with trailers put together.

 

[normspanners]

I spend a few moments with them and its amazing the difference a few pointers can make to their reversing skills.

BUT Are you supposed to have them sat on your lap whilst you demonstrate your beginners reverse entry skills ?? I can just imagine the instruction, firstly make sure that stick thing is in its lowest slot we call it the crawling position check your make up in the mirrors start off slowly and we will get faster towards the end HUM I know your game !! any need for more instructors ?? The horsey types usually have a good base to start from...

 

[Justme]

Out of farmers, building/mini digger/plant people, horsey folk and caravanners it is the latter which really need training as there must be a heck of a lot more incompetent and dangerous caravan owners on the road than anyone else with trailers put together.

Oddly the worst at reversing are always farmers.

Even people that have never reversed get it quicker than a farmer that has been reversing with a tractor for years.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I am skilled at all types except dollies (never use), double trailers (once or twice a year) and artics. Every other type of farm, car or plant setup is easy.
Can't recall seeing any farmers myself who can't handle a cattle trailer as well as tractor stuff.