Inspection and certification

3-3 Establishing whether a vehicle must be HV certified


A vehicle must be inspected for heavy vehicle specialist certification if:

a) it requires certification for entry, re-entry or an in-service CoF

b) it is a vehicle of one of the following classes:

MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD (see Table 3-4-1. Vehicle equipment standards classifications)

c) it has undergone modifications or qualifying repairs to:

i. chassis, structural bodywork, brakes, bolster attachments, towing connections, drive train, engine transmission, axles, load anchorages and wheels which affect compliance with applicable requirements (includes flood/water/fire damage)

ii. any item which could affect the vehicle’s SRT

iii. corrosion in a structural part of the vehicle.

3.3.1 Repairs which do not require certification

The following types of repair do not require inspection and certification:

1. the replacement of bolted on components that do not require certification in themselves (a log bolster attachment or draw beam still requires certification but a bolted on tow-eye does not).

2. repairs to the first failures of chassis cross-members, if that cross-member is not

a) the first or last cross-member of the chassis

b) fitted within 500mm of a suspension support

c) fitted with a driveshaft centre bearing

d) supporting a:

i. ball-race turntable

ii. tow coupling

iii. bolster attachment

iv. device that may place a concentrated load on to the chassis, for example a hoist or a hydraulic cylinder of a tipping body.

3. repairs to coaming rails that do not support certified load anchorage points.

4. tow-eyes fitted to the front of a vehicle for recovery purposes.

5. repairs to non-structural components only of a vehicle’s monocoque body, for example bolt-on body panels.

6. Ferry tie down points that are attached using existing holes in the chassis and are not welded to components that require certification in themselves.

3.3.2 Repairs that require an LT400, but no statement of design compliance

The following is a list of repairs/replacements that certifying manufacturers can undertake without getting a statement of design compliance from a certifying engineer:

1. Load anchorages that are of a standard design from NZS5444, certified to this standard, and repaired using the method outlines in NZS5444.

2. Worn or damaged fifth wheels can be replaced according to the fifth wheel manufacturer’s instructions for replacing bolt-on components.

3. Worn or damaged kingpins can be replaced according to the kingpin manufacturer’s instructions on replacement.

4. Other items as defined in the manufacturing certifier section of this manual.

3.3.3 Repairs that require both an LT400 and a statement of design compliance

All other repairs to heavy vehicle chassis, towing connections, log bolsters and load anchorages require input from a certifying engineer and therefore require a statement of design compliance before an LT400 can be issued by a manufacturing certifier, except where specifically allowed for in the manufacturing certifier section of this manual

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