Towing connections
8-5 Agricultural trailer towing connection
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. An agricultural trailer fitted with a towing connection other than a two- or three-point agricultural linkage does not have a safety chain permanently attached to the trailer.
2. A mandatory safety chain does not meet all of the following requirements:
- Have a breaking strength of at least the gross mass towed (as far as the vehicle inspector can determine that)
- Have its breaking strength identified
- Chain length must allow full articulation and prevent contact of coupling with the ground in case of coupling failure.
Condition
3. A towing connection component including a safety chain is:
a) damaged, deformed, cracked or has significantly deteriorated, or
b) worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or
c) has corrosion damage within 150mm of a mounting point, or
d) not securely attached, or
e) missing, or
f) not mounted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, or
g) welded, and the weld metal has not been applied in accordance with good trade practice (direct welding of a safety chain is not permitted).
Note 1
Agricultural trailer, for the purposes of this section, means a trailer constructed to be operated in connection directly with the operation or management of a farm; does not include a logging trailer.
Three-point linkage means, for a tractor or agricultural trailer, a towing connection that has three points of attachment.
Towing connection means the combination of components that enables one vehicle to tow or be towed by another vehicle; it includes a towbar, drawbar, drawbeam and coupling.
Two-point linkage means, for an agricultural trailer, a towing connection that has two points of attachment.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. An agricultural trailer fitted with a towing connection other than a two- or three-point agricultural linkage must have either one safety chain fitted.
2. An agricultural trailer fitted with a towing connection other than a two-point or three-point linkage must have a safety chain permanently attached to it and that chain must:
a) have a breaking strength of at least the gross mass towed, and
b) have its breaking strength identified, and
c) be attached to the trailer by means other than by welding of the chain itself, and
d) be adjustable in length to eliminate a tight or loose chain.
Condition
3. Towing connection components fitted to a vehicle must ensure that a secure connection can be maintained between the towing and towed vehicles under all conditions of loading and operation for which the vehicle was constructed.
4. Towing connections must be fit for purpose and in sound condition.
Page amended 1 June 2013 (see amendment details).