Increases in weight and speed limits welcomed by NFUS

NFU SCOTLAND has welcomed increases in the weight and speed limits of agricultural tractors and trailers from March 9.

The changes are to be introduced through amendments to the Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations.

This will see an increase in the maximum combination weight limit for tractors and trailers from 24.39 tonnes to 31 tonnes.

This will allow farmers to have more flexibility in how they haul, allowing larger tractors to tow the same maximum loads that smaller ones do already and offering some farmers a modest increase in the amount they can carry in each journey.

The maximum laden weight of trailers (18.29 tonnes) and maximum axle weights for tractors and trailers will remain unchanged.

An effective speed limit of 25mph will be applied to conventional tractors.

Modern tractors are designed to travel safely at speeds of up to, or over 25mph, but current regulations restrict their speed to 20mph, which is lower than many other EU countries.

Those tractors allowed to exceed 25mph will continue to be subject to tighter design and regulatory requirements.

Gemma Thomson, legal and technical policy manager for NFU Scotland, said: “These regulations are being updated to better reflect the capabilities of modern m a c h i n e r y, improve the efficiency of the farming sector and help to boost the economy.

“The regulations governing tractors and trailers are outdated and the limits, originally set in the 1980s, do not reflect the significant advances in technology that have been made in this sector.

“NFUS made representations on behalf of members, and will respond in due course to the forthcoming consultation on Phase Two which will examine further increased weights against the potential of an annual testing system for tractors.”

Phase 2 is planned for introduction before harvest 2016 and it includes the consideration of further increases in weights and speeds, including maximum laden trailer weight limits and a roadworthiness test.