Another one.

[Stroppymonkey]

As anyone could have predicted years ago… incidents like this involving agricultural kit seem to be either on the increase or increasingly reported.
Agri kit has been moving over to HGV sized kit my lifetime , but with none of the safety regulations or training or professionalism that is usually associated with the heavy good haulage industry.
I have no idea of any of the details involved in this incident, but it’s clear that there needs to be some review of the road rules.
The fact that I can take 29t odd out on the road with no MOT and no training and non road suitable tyres on my B-license if it’s agricultural , yet cant use a 7.5T vehicle without a C1 license and CPC and increased MOT/oversight is just a bit silly in my opinion.
Please bear in mind that I come from a farming background so have a foot in both camps .

Three arrests after fatal tractor crash near Lincolnshire farm

Two men and a woman have been questioned by police over the crash in Blankney on 16 December.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Smiffy]

As anyone could have predicted years ago… incidents like this involving agricultural kit seem to be either on the increase or increasingly reported.
Agri kit has been moving over to HGV sized kit my lifetime , but with none of the safety regulations or training or professionalism that is usually associated with the heavy good haulage industry.
I have no idea of any of the details involved in this incident, but it’s clear that there needs to be some review of the road rules.
The fact that I can take 29t odd out on the road with no MOT and no training and non road suitable tyres on my B-license if it’s agricultural , yet cant use a 7.5T vehicle without a C1 license and CPC and increased MOT/oversight is just a bit silly in my opinion.
Please bear in mind that I come from a farming background so have a foot in both camps .

Three arrests after fatal tractor crash near Lincolnshire farm

Two men and a woman have been questioned by police over the crash in Blankney on 16 December.

www.bbc.co.uk

I would like to point out that whilst you do those things, you are restricted to 24mph. The problem is that most these setups are running at least 31mph and many up to 40mph now. They are also running overweight trailers. Lots of 18t+ grain/silage trailers about when legal maximum is around 12-14t. And Tri axle plant trailers which are pushing it legality wise with the 13t on it, especially a heavy 13 tonner which are more like 15t. All these trailers are over on drawbar weights which should be 3t. Agricultural trailers are also really poorly designed in terms of stability in comparison to commercial trailers, with little if any time and effort spent on researching handling.

The rules we have are perfectly fine and safe. The problem is the lack of enforcement and people doing as they like. They will of course complain when there is a load of really restrictive rules put on them. But they are making their own bed as we speak.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I would like to point out that whilst you do those things, you are restricted to 24mph. The problem is that most these setups are running at least 31mph and many up to 40mph now. They are also running overweight trailers. Lots of 18t+ grain/silage trailers about when legal maximum is around 12-14t. And Tri axle plant trailers which are pushing it legality wise with the 13t on it, especially a heavy 13 tonner which are more like 15t. All these trailers are over on drawbar weights which should be 3t. Agricultural trailers are also really poorly designed in terms of stability in comparison to commercial trailers, with little if any time and effort spent on researching handling.

The rules we have are perfectly fine and safe. The problem is the lack of enforcement and people doing as they like. They will of course complain when there is a load of really restrictive rules put on them. But they are making their own bed as we speak.

I agree. You put it well, it’s not so much the the lack of rules that’s causing the issue but the lack of adherence/compliance.

 

[6feetdown]

I see some stuff moved around here clearly over weight, and guaranteed running on red.

 

[pettsy]

Lots at it round here. Lowloaders, grab trailers and big dump trailers servicing new build housing estates.

 

[V8Druid]

ditto all of the above

 

[stephenmenhen1]

Coming from a farming background I completely agree, I cringe and steer clear when I see local farmers moving swingers on lowloader as I know full well they more than likely don't know how to chain anything down properly in the event they do use chains more often they dont. And especially when its the farmers 16 year old thats just barely passed his test that know bugger all about driving to the load so just drive full bore all the time. Brakes more than likely never been checked on trailers since they left the factory and was bought secondhand. Im not aloud to drive 7.5ton but can get a jcb fasttrac/Fendt/Valtra doing 45mph at 32 ton make it make sense. I did go and do my class 1 but failed and said bollocks to it I'll get someone else to move stuff as and when needed.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Coming from a farming background I completely agree, I cringe and steer clear when I see local farmers moving swingers on lowloader as I know full well they more than likely don't know how to chain anything down properly in the event they do use chains more often they dont. And especially when its the farmers 16 year old thats just barely passed his test that know bugger all about driving to the load so just drive full bore all the time. Brakes more than likely never been checked on trailers since they left the factory and was bought secondhand. Im not aloud to drive 7.5ton but can get a jcb fasttrac/Fendt/Valtra doing 45mph at 32 ton make it make sense. I did go and do my class 1 but failed and said bollocks to it I'll get someone else to move stuff as and when needed.

I’ve seen local agricultural contractors moving swingers with no straps or chains. Seen a local farmer hauling concrete panels on tractor and trailer with no straps .

 

[Smiffy]

Coming from a farming background I completely agree, I cringe and steer clear when I see local farmers moving swingers on lowloader as I know full well they more than likely don't know how to chain anything down properly in the event they do use chains more often they dont. And especially when its the farmers 16 year old thats just barely passed his test that know bugger all about driving to the load so just drive full bore all the time. Brakes more than likely never been checked on trailers since they left the factory and was bought secondhand. Im not aloud to drive 7.5ton but can get a jcb fasttrac/Fendt/Valtra doing 45mph at 32 ton make it make sense. I did go and do my class 1 but failed and said bollocks to it I'll get someone else to move stuff as and when needed.

I don't think you can actually do 45mph. Same with unimogs. To actually legally run them flat out you are basically in hgv Territory.

 

[craig]

I don't think you can actually do 45mph. Same with unimogs. To actually legally run them flat out you are basically in hgv Territory.

I think an AG unimog and the certain FastTraks are 40mph, all other AG tractors are 25mph/40kmh.

 

[Mogman]

I think an AG unimog and the certain FastTraks are 40mph, all other AG tractors are 25mph/40kmh.

The last Mog I had, had high speed diffs was 200 hp and would do 55 mph flat out (did take a bit of winding up when loaded to get up there)
When on the motorway would keep up with traffic so didn’t stand out too much

taxed as forestry and agriculture ran on red and very cheap insurance

But that was a long time ago (20 odd years ago now) and I did have a full HGV license so knew about controlling weight

Would I do it now not a chance

 

[stephenmenhen1]

I don't think you can actually do 45mph. Same with unimogs. To actually legally run them flat out you are basically in hgv Territory.

Big difference between actually being aloud to do it and just doing it though. One of the potato gangs near me has just got a fastrac for that very reason. Tractors are only suppose to do 20mph on the road anyway according to the warning stickers in the cab.

 

[Smiffy]

Big difference between actually being aloud to do it and just doing it though. One of the potato gangs near me has just got a fastrac for that very reason. Tractors are only suppose to do 20mph on the road anyway according to the warning stickers in the cab.

That's the whole problem and it will come round to bite them when it all goes tits up.

 

[6feetdown]

That's the whole problem and it will come round to bite them when it all goes tits up.

And tbf I like farmers a lifestyle not a job for most, but they will then complain and say they are victims, but for once will be in the wrong.

 

[Lancs Lad]

Big difference between actually being aloud to do it and just doing it though. One of the potato gangs near me has just got a fastrac for that very reason. Tractors are only suppose to do 20mph on the road anyway according to the warning stickers in the cab.

Exactly....I'd say though it's not the actual "farmers" as such generally round here..
It's the "contractors" ..usually run from a farm yard and hide under the "we do ag stuff" banner. Which usually means plod probably leaves em alone....and plod is generall spending his time sitting on the m6 pulling folk for doing 85 and low loaders at the bridge

But like all things it's when it all goes Pete tong that spotlight reveals stuff.

 

[6feetdown]

Exactly....I'd say though it's not the actual "farmers" as such generally round here..
It's the "contractors" ..usually run from a farm yard and hide under the "we do ag stuff" banner. Which usually means plod probably leaves em alone....and plod is generall spending his time sitting on the m6 pulling folk for doing 85 and low loaders at the bridge

But like all things it's when it all goes Pete tong that spotlight reveals stuff.

Surprised the insurance companies aren't fleecing them tbf.
Has to be null and void if illegal?

 

[JD450A]

The issue with everything is we are running a road traffic act fit for the 1980's with "Guidance" fit for a totalitarian state and "enforcement" of those who are compliant and ignorance of the rest.

When it comes to anything over 3.5t, scrap the bulk of the regulation and start again..... You can run a lorry/tractor whatever without additional paperwork provided it is MOT'd every 6 months, same for any trailer...... Restrict agricultural tractors and trailers back to 20mph without test or otherwise a MOT every 6 months like a lorry.
Sorted.