Many countries across Europe have, or are in the process of revising, legislation on agricultural vehicles and equipment. The legislation that governs the use of agricultural machinery in Ireland was first introduced in 1963. However, a lot has changed since. The revised standards for agricultural vehicles will be effective from 1 January 2016, just over a year away.

The area causing the biggest debate is the agricultural trailer. If buying or selling a trailer in the next year, it is important to get the specifications right from the start to avoid trouble in 2016.

Speaking with Road Safety Authority (RSA) engineer Justin Martin, we hope to answer some of the most relevant questions on the new legislation on trailers.

What changes are required to the braking systems fitted to new trailers manufactured from 1 January 2016 that are designed to operate at speeds over 40 km/h?

Air brakes will have to be fitted on new trailers operating at speeds over 40 km/h. The braking system will also have to incorporate load sensing to give the correct braking effort for the weight on the trailer.

An automatic breakaway device will also have to be fitted. A chain or wire rope will not satisfy regulations. The trailer must also be fitted with a parking brake with at least a 16% braking efficiency. Every new agricultural trailer manufactured on or after 1 January 2016, which is designed to be drawn at a speed over 60 km/h, must be fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

What are the changes on the braking system for trailers operating under 40 km/h?

Existing trailer braking systems must satisfy minimum braking efficiency requirements. They must also be fitted with a parking brake with at least a 16% braking efficiency. An automatic breakaway device will have to be fitted to new trailers manufactured from 1 January 2016. However, a secondary coupling consisting of a chain or wire rope will suffice for trailers already in service prior to 1 January 2016 which are incapable by design of operating above 40km/h.

I built my trailer in the farm workshop. Will it have to be put off the road?

No. However, you will be limited in terms of both the speed you can operate at and the load you can carry. For example, if you intend operating it at speeds above 40km/h or at laden weights exceeding 19t for a tandem-axle trailer or 22.5t for a triaxle, it will need to be fitted with both an authorisation plate and a speed disc.

Trailers travelling at speeds under 40 km/h, and less than three times the weight of the tractor drawing them, manufactured before 1 January 2016 will not retrospectively require fitment of either an authorisation plate or a speed disc.

Where or how can I get my trailer an authorisation plate?

Retrofitting of authorisation plates to existing agricultural trailers will only be required if they are capable by design of being drawn at speeds over 40 km/h or at laden weights over 19t for tandems or 22.5t for triaxles.

If trailers need to have authorisation plates retrofitted, this can only be carried out by a trailer manufacturer or their authorised distributor.

The advice this year is to ensure that your existing trailers are capable of meeting the regulations for the speeds or weights at which you wish to operate them. If purchasing a new tractor, air braking systems should be specified if you intend operating at speeds above 40 km/h. The goal of the new regulations is to improve safety on the roads. Hopefully this can be achieved without too much inconvenience to all involved.

Is it legal to have a combination of an agricultural tractor equipped with hydraulic brakes drawing a trailer with with air brakes at over 40 km/h?

It is legal, provided that a hydraulic-to-air conversion kit is fitted on the rear of the tractor. Both the tractor and the trailer must also satisfy the braking performance requirements necessary for operation at speeds in excess of 40 km/h.

What are the lighting and signage requirements for trailers under the revised rules for 2016?

Agricultural trailers must be equipped with side lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, indicators and number plate lighting. They must also be fitted with a marker lamp on their right-hand side if, when coupled to an agricultural tractor, the overall length of the combination is more than 10m.

Agricultural trailers with a design gross vehicle weight over 3.5t must also be fitted with reflective rear markings.

If these trailers form part of a combination of vehicles that is over 10m long, they must also have reflective side markings. A “long vehicle” marking must be fitted to agricultural trailers forming part of a combination of vehicles over 13m long.

Trailers which are capable of being drawn at speeds exceeding 40 km/h must also be fitted with a speed disc indicating their maximum design speed in a prominent position on the rear of the vehicle.

Can a trailer carry more after the new regulations come into force?

The new rules set out the following permissible weights. It is 13t for single-axle trailer, 19t for tandem-axle trailer, and 22.5t for triaxle trailer.

Higher limits of up to 24t for tandem-axle trailers and 34t for triaxle trailers that meet certain additional requirements are being introduced.