Braking Requirements for Ag Equipment Under Review
A subcommittee of the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE) Machine Systems (MS) 23/4/1 recently reviewed the work of a small task force of braking system experts.
This group compared the current requirements in ASAE S365.9, which are 15-years-old, to more current braking requirements from regions of the world that have taken into consideration ever-increasing equipment weights and faster towing speeds.
The subcommittee reports that S365.9:
- Has no provision to allow towing of a light-weight ag vehicle without brakes at speeds exceeding 32 kph (20 mph);
- Has no distinction between commodity trailers with variable transport loads and implements with fixed transport loads;
- Does not address how the brake system interfaces between towing vehicle and the towed vehicle;
- Has no provisions to warn the operator that the brake system has failed;
- Does not clearly address requirements for combination braking systems (hydrostatic & friction brakes); and
- Increases complexity for manufacturers and users due to the misalignment with other standards around the world.
The sub-committee expects it will take several years to write the standard. Voluntary compliance could be applicable in 2018 or 2019.
Before then, members can discuss the standard at the Tillage Council meeting April 7 in Clearwater, Fla.
Duane Ransom from Titan International will update members on the subcommittee’s work ASAE S365.9 during the Tillage Council meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Spring Conference in Clearwater. S