The Road Safety Authority (RSA) recently announced legislation in relation to the use of agricultural tractors, trailer machinery and other equipment on Irish roads. Many would agree that much of the legislation that will be introduced in 2016 is both practical and based on common sense.

Well-known tractor trailer manufacturer Smyth Trailers from Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, has already made its products compliant for the forthcoming implementation of regulations. The company will have a display of three fully compliant trailers at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

The uncertainty about what would be introduced meant that many trailer manufacturers, including Smyth, were already ahead of the game, particularly in relation to axle and brake specifications, the expensive stuff.

Sam Smyth explained: “We didn’t need to do a huge amount to make our trailers compliant. The biggest change that people will notice is the reflective strips down either side of the trailer and boxing in the tailgate.

“With the new regulations, 80% of the trailer side will be required to have reflective marking, so we have easily exceeded that.”

With so much talk about trailer axle loads, axle spacing/positioning and brakes, Smyth made a decision some time ago to fit full commercial running gear, axles, springs and braking systems, which they purchase from one supplier, Distag QCS, based in Tullow, Co Carlow.

Sam said: “We source all of our axles from Distag. They are rated for 105km/h at 12t per axle, so operate well within their comfort zone on our trailers. We use all truck axles, which are the same as those fitted under any articulated truck trailer.”

The clarity brought by the recent RSA legislation was welcomed by Sam. “The good thing for us is that it makes it easier for everybody, as the rules are now black and white, not just a grey area,” he said.

Manufacturers can now be certain that the trailers they build are specified with the correct braking systems, weights, axle spacing and so on.

Under the legislation due in January 2016, new trailers will also be plated showing axle loads and braking capabilities. “I think the RSA has been fair enough with the weights they have allowed tractor trailers to carry,” said Sam.

He explained that their twin-axle 20ft by 8ft Fieldmaster trailer has a total gross weight of 23t, when fitted with flotation tyres. “The RSA allows one extra tonne on the trailer if it is fitted with a ball and spoon type hitch,” Sam added, increasing overall capacity to 24t.

Specifying flotation tyres, though more expensive, allows trailers to carry one extra tonne per axle, according to Sam. The gross weight capacity of Smyth’s Fieldmaster would be reduced to 21t if it were fitted with standard commercial tyres and a standard hitch.

“Flotation tyres are nearly twice as wide and run at nearly half the pressure of commercial (truck) tyres. We put it to the RSA that flotation tyres will save the road the same way they will save the field. To be fair, they listened to that point and took it on board,” he stated.

Trailer brakes and braking requirements have been discussed for years. Many trailer manufacturers, in particular Irish trailer manufacturers, have tended to err on the side of caution. Smyths is no different.

Sam explained the different options for 40km/h and 60km/h braking systems and noted that the systems that operate the brakes are different for the different speed ratings.

A basic 40km/h trailer with just hydraulic brakes has 25mm diameter hydraulic rams operating the brakes at each wheel.

If the customer wants, the same trailer can also incorporate an air braking system to allow it to be towed at up to 60km/h by a tractor equipped with (and plugged into) an air braking system. A breakaway device must operate the trailer brakes, regardless of braking type, if a trailer should somehow become unattached from the tractor.

The new legislation means that this trailer will be rated for both top speeds when being operated by either hydraulic or air brakes. This will in future have to be indicated on the manufacturer’s plate attached to the trailer chassis and by clearly visible stickers on the rear of the trailer.

On the issue of plating, Sam Smyth added: “Anyone can make a trailer. In future, they will have to plate it and stand over it, as I understand from the regulations.”

There is also a 60km/h hydraulic braking option. “You don’t have to have air brakes to go to 60km/h, but you do have to have 60km/h specification hydraulic brakes if you don’t have air,” stated Sam. For a trailer to travel and stop at 60km/h on hydraulic brakes, the braking cylinders used are much larger, at 35mm diameter, to bring the braking efficiency to over the 45% required to travel above 40km/h, Sam explained.

The braking system has to incorporate a load-sensing system, so as not to burn the tyres off with the stronger braking rams. This adds an extra cost of around €700 to a trailer, according to Sam. Smyth expects the hydraulic and air 40km/h and 60km/h option to be the more popular specification, as air braking incorporates load-sensing as standard. Exceeding 60km/h will require an ABS braking system on the trailer, said Sam.

In addition to the extra side and rear reflective markings required, trailer plating and stickers on the rear indicating permissible top speed, or speeds for dual braking systems, the specification for the side marker lights has changed.

Side lights to-date have generally always been red and white, the red part facing rearwards and the white part facing forwards. Under the new regulations, these will be amber in colour as Sam showed us on his trailers.