If you haven’t checked or adjusted the brakes on your farm trailers in donkey’s years, now’s a good time to start.

That’s the advice of the Health and Safety Executive, government vehicle roadworthiness monitor VOSA and machinery industry body the Agricultural Engineers Association.

As tractor speeds (and trailer payloads) increase, they point out, it’s vital that the equipment is up to scratch and maintenance carried out regularly.

Farmers also need to check that any new trailers they buy have brakes that are up to the job. That could mean quizzing trailer makers about their braking systems before purchase.

To find out more details, see our trailer brake academy.