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Keeping you on the right side of the law
One in five farm trailers have brakes that fail to pull them up within the legal stopping limit. In the second of a two part series, Nick Fone and Oliver Mark suss out some Rolls-Royce upgrades to make your trailer's anchors top of the class.
Posted: 16 Mar 2012 | FULL ARTICLE
According to recent research, less than one-fifth of farm trailer brakes are road legal. Nick Fone and Oliver Mark take a look at a few ways to get your stopping power up to scratch
Posted: 15 Mar 2012 | FULL ARTICLE
They’re neither a tractor nor a car. So how do you comply with the law with your All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), and operate it safely both on the road and in the field? Power Farming finds out
Posted: 05 Jan 2012 | FULL ARTICLE
All agricultural vehicles should have an up-to-date tax disc or SORN. Power Farming finds out what’s involved, and the implications of getting it wrong.
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Its versatility and reach make a telehandler far more than just a mechanised farm wheelbarrow. But these same qualities mean training and care when operating are essential, both on the farm and on the road. Power Farming establishes what’s required.
Posted: 24 Nov 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Do you drive the Land Rover and stock box on the road? Did you take your driving test after 1 January 1997? If you haven't got your car and trailer test you could be towing illegally.
Posted: 19 Nov 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Uncertain whether your trailer brakes would be up to scratch if you had to stop in a hurry on the road? Here's how you can beef them up.
Posted: 27 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
When you do a lot of road miles with a fully laden trailer of sugar beet, you need the reassurance of knowing it has the best possible braking.
Posted: 26 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Animal transport now requires all attendants to hold a Certificate of Competence. Jonathan Long finds out what’s involved.
15mph: Dipped-beam headlamp, matching pair, coloured white or yellow*
Posted: 19 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Some qualifications are essential. Below is a list of the most important, but this may vary depending on the farming operation.
Posted: 12 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Finally thinking of investing in a new tractor after a long period of patching up and making do? Baffled by the salesman's techno-speak, though? Andrew Pearce explains what some of this grand-sounding terminology actually means.
Making sure the brakes on your current trailers are well maintained and effective – and that your new trailer purchase is up to spec – will cut costs and reduce accidents, says Tony Mitchell, from the Health and Safety Executive.
The following companies specialise in tractor and trailer braking systems:
Posted: 11 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Lighting on trailers has undergone something of a revolution in recent years following the introduction of LED lights. Andy Collings discovers the advantages such systems now offer
Posted: 05 Oct 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
On average, about a quarter of all the workers killed on farms are involved with moving vehicles. All these people had families, friends and businesses that also suffered grief and loss as a result.
Posted: 27 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
For those of you who are about to be (or have already turned) 16, there's bound to be a couple of things on your mind. One of them involves something we wouldn't dream of mentioning in a family magazine. The other is... finally being allowed to drive a tractor on the road.
Farmers Weekly fields multitudes of enquiries on the practicalities of sitting a tractor driving test. To separate fact from fiction Charlie McCarron went along to a test to see what was involved
Posted: 26 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Farmers are being warned about leaving mud on the road after a spate of serious accidents. NFU Mutual has provided a checklist of steps producers need to take
Farmers and contractors taking combines on the road this harvest should check whether their header trailers are road legal and fit for purpose.
Posted: 25 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Faulty machinery and incorrect licensing are leaving farmers open to large fines, tractor confiscation and potentially fatal accidents. Olivia Cooper finds out more
Moving tractors, trailers and implements around the countryside can be fraught with difficulties. Andy Collings visited a Kent contractor who has the unenviable task of keeping five combines on the move
Posted: 22 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Guide to using agricultural vehicles on the road, by Mike Braithwaite: Width restrictions
Guide to using agricultural vehicles on the road, by Mike Braithwaite; Implements projecting from the front or rear of tractors
Posted: 21 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
If you’re driving your tractor at speeds greater than 20mph (32km/h) on the road, you’re probably breaking the law.
Many UK farms have trailer brakes that fall below the minimum legal requirement for road use, according to research. Although there are proposals to update regulations, farmers and contractors must ensure limits and trailer spec are met.
Road accidents involving farm machinery are on the increase. James Cullimore explains why and looks at moves to reduce them.
Posted: 05 Sep 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Incorrectly aligned front wheels can result in a severe reduction in tractor tyre life.
Posted: 27 Aug 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
A nationwide voluntary brake testing scheme aims to improve the often poor performance of many UK farm trailers. Emily Padfield reports
Farmers could be fitting tractor front tyres a third more often than they should, according to recent tests carried out by tyre giant Goodyear
Bale spikes should be removed before you go on the road, or tilted back so they're not a danger.
This is the time of year when combines and tractors flock to the roads in considerable numbers. David Cousins asked transport specialist Mike Braithwaite to outline some of the legal stuff you should know about.
Posted: 21 Aug 2011 | FULL ARTICLE
Red Diesel use is becoming an increasingly contentious issue. We asked Farmers Weekly readers to send in questions about their concerns and got the experts to answer them.
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