New Standard Announced for Three-point Linkage On Tractors

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) announces the revision of the international standard that specifies the dimensions and requirements for three-point linkage assemblies on the rear of agricultural wheeled tractors. ISO 730:2009, “Agricultural wheeled tractors, Rear-mounted three-point linkage, Categories 1N, 1, 2N, 2, 3N, 3, 4N and 4,” was recently published in English and French for the international community. This document applies to tractors rated Category 1 Narrow (up to 47 HP) through Category 4 (up to 470 HP). A full listing of terms and dimensions ensure that continuity and compatibility is achieved between this important tractor and implement interface.

Technical experts from Europe, Asia, North and South America, working through a committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), participated in the development of the revised standard. This new issue of ISO 730 cancels and replaces two previously issued standards (ISO 730 1:1994 and ISO 730-2:1979) and has incorporated a Technical Corrigendum from 1995.

Use and compliance with this International Standard for rear-mounted three-point linkages will minimize the risk to both the operator and the equipment, resulting in a safer work environment and long term equipment reliability.

For information on this new standard or other ASABE activities in ISO, contact Ted Tees at ASABE, (269) 429-0300 x305, ted@asabe.org. Current listings of all standards projects can be found at www.asabe.org/standards/proposed.html.