Towing connections

12-4 Heavy tractor towing connection

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A tractor with a towing connection other than a three-point linkage does not have one or two attachment points to which safety chains from a trailer coupling can be securely attached.

Condition

2. A towing connection component including a safety chain attachment point is:

a) damaged, deformed, cracked or has significantly deteriorated, or

b) worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or

c) not securely attached, or

d) missing, or

e) not mounted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.

3. A coupling mechanism or safety locking device does not:

a) operate smoothly or effectively, or

b) fasten securely.

Note 1 Definitions

Heavy tractor means a motor vehicle (other than a traction engine) with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3500 kg constructed principally for towing an agricultural trailer or powering agricultural implements. This definition applies to towing connections only.

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.

Three-point linkage means, for a tractor or agricultural trailer, a towing connection that has three points of attachment.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A tractor may be fitted with towing connections, including three-point agricultural linkages.

2. A tractor with a towing connection other than a three-point linkage must have one or two points for attaching trailer safety chains that each has a strength of at least twice the maximum mass of any vehicles that may be towed by the tractor by means of that towing connection.

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 operations for which the vehicle was constructed.

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