Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/208 of 8 December 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles Text with EEA relevance

• 5.1.5. The data shall be clearly visible, easily legible and durable.

• 1. Instead of complying with the requirements of this Annex, the manufacturer may choose to present a component type-approval for a mechanical coupling granted under UNECE Regulation No 55, as referenced in Annex I.

• 1. For vehicles which are fitted with handlebars, manufacturers may chose whether to apply either the requirements of points 2 to 6 or the requirements of the relevant provisions of Annex II(C)(4) to Regulation (EU) No 168/2013.

• 1. The following vehicles may be fitted with couplings intended to be connected with the three-point hitch or the lower link arms of the tractor:

• (a) vehicles of category Sa;

• (b) interchangeable towed equipment of category R1a or R2a intended mainly to process materials within the meaning of Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013;

• (c) vehicles of category Ra of a difference of laden and unladen mass of less than 2 tons. If the vehicles referred to in the first paragraph are fitted with couplings intended to be connected with the three-point hitch or the lower link arms of the tractor, the parts of these systems shall meet the dimensional requirements of section 5 of ISO 730:2009, Amd.1: 2014. The manufacturer's calculations or test results on the strength of the parts of the couplings, as part of compliance with Directive 2006/42/EC, shall be provided to the technical service, instead of the test results in point 3.2 of this Annex. The technical service shall verify the accuracy of the manufacturer's calculations or test results. Appropriate information with regard to safe coupling and fixing of the lower links vertically and laterally as well as the material quality of the spare parts and the permissible play shall be given in the operator's manual.

Appendix 1

Mechanical couplings on agricultural and forestry vehicles

Mechanical couplings on tractors

‘Clevis mechanical coupling’: see Figures 1 and 2.

‘No-swivel clevis mechanical coupling’: see Figure 1d.

‘Towing hook’: see Figure 1 – ‘Hitch-hook dimensions’ in ISO 6489-1:2001.

‘Tractor drawbar’: see Figure 3.

‘Ball mechanical coupling’: see Figure 4.

‘Pin (piton) mechanical coupling’: see Figure 5.

Tractor drawbar dimensions shall comply with those of the following categories of ISO 6489-3:2004:

Category (0) (pin 18); compatible with ISO 5692-3, shape W (22 mm hole).

Category (1) (pin 30); compatible with ISO 5692-3, shape X (35 mm ring); ISO 5692-2:2002 (40 mm hole); ISO 8755:2001 (40 mm hole).

Category (2) (pin 30); compatible with ISO 5692-3, shape X (35 mm ring); ISO 5692-2:2002 (40 mm hole); ISO 8755:2001 (40 mm hole).

Category (3) (pin 38); compatible with ISO 5692-1:2004 (50 mm ring); ISO 5692-3:2011 shape Y (50 mm hole); ISO 20019:2001.

Category (4) (pin 50); compatible with ISO 5692-3:2011 shape Z (68 mm hole).

Mechanical couplings on towed vehicles

‘Hitch rings’ according to ISO 5692-1:2004 (50 mm hole, 30 mm ring diameter).

‘Hitch rings’ according to ISO 20019:2001 (50 mm hole centre, 30 to 41 mm ring diameter).

‘Swivel hitch rings’ according to ISO 5692-3:2011.

‘Coupling rings’ according to ISO 5692-2:2002 (40 mm socket).

‘Drawbar eye’ according to ISO 8755:2001 (40 mm hole).

‘Drawbar eye’ according to ISO 1102:2001 (50 mm hole).

‘Coupling device’ according to ISO 24347:2005 (80 mm ball diameter).

Drawings of mechanical couplings components

Figure 1a

Non-automatic trailer coupling, with cylindrical locking pin

Image omitted; see official source Image omitted; see official source

Figure 1b

Automatic trailer coupling, with cylindrical locking pin

Image omitted; see official source Image omitted; see official source

Figure 1c

Automatic trailer coupling, with cambered locking pin

Image omitted; see official source Image omitted; see official source

Figure 1d

No-swivel clevis coupling (corresponding to ISO 6489-5:2011)

Table 1

Shapes and dimensions of trailer or implement clevis couplings

Figure 2

Non-automatic trailer coupling corresponding to ISO 6489 Part 2 of July 2002

Figure 3

Example of tractor drawbar corresponding to ISO Standard 6489 Part 3 of June 2004

Image omitted; see official source

Figure 4

Ball coupling (corresponding to ISO 24347:2005)

Figure 5

Pin (piton) coupling (corresponding to ISO 6489-4:2004)

Table 2

Appendix 2

Mechanical Coupling Dynamic Test Method

1. Test procedure

The strength of the mechanical coupling shall be established by alternating traction on a test bed.

This method describes the fatigue test to be used on the complete mechanical coupling device, i.e. when fitted with all the parts needed for its installation the mechanical coupling is mounted and tested on a test bed.

The alternating forces shall be applied as far as possible sinusoidally (alternating and/or rising) with a load cycle depending on the material involved. No tears or breaks may occur during the test.

2. Test criteria

The horizontal force components in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle together with the vertical force components shall form the basis of the test loads.

In so far as they are of secondary importance, horizontal force components at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and also moments shall not be taken into consideration.

The horizontal force components in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be represented by a mathematically established representative force, the value D.

The following equation shall be applied to the mechanical coupling:

Image omitted; see official source

Where:

The vertical force components at right angles to the track shall be expressed by the static vertical load S.

The technically permissible loads shall be given by the manufacturer.

3. Test procedure requirements

3.1.   General requirements

The test force shall be applied to the mechanical couplings being tested beneath an angle formed by the position of the vertical test load F v vis-à-vis the horizontal test load F h in the direction of the median longitudinal plane passing from top front to bottom rear.

The test force shall be applied at the usual point of contact between the mechanical coupling on the tractor and the corresponding one on the towed vehicle.

The play between the mechanical coupling on the tractor and the corresponding one on the towed vehicle shall be kept to a minimum.

In principle the test force is applied in an alternating manner around the zero point. With an alternating test force the resulting load is equal to zero.

Should the design of the mechanical coupling (e.g. excessive play, towing hook) make it impossible to carry out the test with an alternating test load, the test load may also be applied on a rising basis in the direction of traction or pressure, whichever is the greater.

Where the test is carried out with a rising force curve, the test load is equal to the upper (highest) load, and the lower (smallest) load should not exceed 5 % of the upper load.

Care should be taken in the alternating force test to ensure that by suitable mounting of the test apparatus and choice of power conduction system no additional moments or forces arising at right angles to the test force are introduced; the angular error for the direction of force in the alternating force test should not exceed ± 1,5°; and for the rising force test the angle is set in the upper load position.

The test frequency shall not exceed 30 Hz.

For components made of steel or steel casting the load cycle amounts to

Image omitted; see official source

. The subsequent tear test shall be carried out using the colour penetration method or similar method.

If springs and/or dampers are incorporated into the coupling parts, they shall not be removed during the test but may be replaced if, during the test, they are subject to strain under conditions which would not obtain during normal operation (e.g. heat action) and become damaged. Their behaviour before, during and after the test shall be described in the test report.

3.2.   Test forces

The test force shall consist in geometrical terms of the horizontal and vertical test components as follows:

Image omitted; see official source

where:

Fh =

Image omitted; see official source

(kN) in the case of alternating force,

or

Fh =

Image omitted; see official source

(kN) in the case of rising force (traction or pressure),Fv =

Image omitted; see official source

(value expressed in kN)

S = static drawbar load (load on the track, expressed in kg).

3.3.   Load application

For components of the mechanical coupling on tractor or towed vehicle, the load is applied using the components of one corresponding mechanical coupling on respectively towed vehicle or tractor as permitted by the combinations listed in Table 2 of Appendix 1.

Appendix 3

Mechanical Coupling Static Test Method

1. Test specifications

1.1.   General

• 1.1.1.Subject to a check on its construction characteristics, the mechanical coupling shall undergo static tests in accordance with the requirements of points 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4.

1.2.   Test preparation

The tests shall be carried out on a special machine, with the mechanical coupling and any structure coupling it to the body of the vehicle attached to a rigid structure by means of the same components used to mount it on the vehicle.

1.3.   Test instruments

The instruments used to record loads applied and movements shall have the following degree of accuracy:

• — loads applied ± 50 daN,

• — movements ± 0,01 mm.

1.4.   Test procedure

• 1.4.1.The coupling device shall first be subjected to a pre-traction load which does not exceed 15 % of the traction test load defined in point 1.4.2.

• 1.4.1.1.The operation described in point 1.4.1 shall be repeated at least twice, starting with a zero load, which is gradually increased until the value prescribed in point 1.4.1 is reached, and then decreased to 500 daN; the settling load shall be maintained for at least 60 seconds.

• 1.4.2. The data recorded for plotting the load/deformation curve under traction, or the graph of that curve provided by the printer linked to the traction machine, shall be based on the application of increasing loads only, starting from 500 daN, in relation to the reference centre of the mechanical coupling on tractor or towed vehicle.

• There shall be no breaks for values up to and including the traction test load which is established as 1,5 times the technically permissible trailer mass; in addition, the load/deformation curve shall show a smooth progression, without irregularities, in the interval between 500 daN and 1/3 of the maximum traction load.

• 1.4.2.1.Permanent deformation is recorded on the load/deformation curve in relation to the load of 500 daN after the test load has been brought back to that value.

• 1.4.2.2.The permanent deformation value recorded shall not exceed 25 % of the maximum elastic deformation occurring.

• 1.5. The test referred to in point 1.4.2 shall be preceded by a test in which a load of three times the maximum permissible vertical force (in daN, equal to g · S/10) recommended by the manufacturer is applied in a gradually increasing manner, starting from an initial load of 500 daN, to the reference centre of the mechanical coupling on tractor or towed vehicle.

During the test, deformation of the coupling device shall not exceed 10 % of the maximum elastic deformation occurring.

The check is carried out after removing the vertical force (in daN, equal to

Image omitted; see official source

) and returning to the initial load of 500 daN.

[^E0001]: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/504 of 11 March 2015 implementing Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles (OJ L 85, 28.3.2015, p. 1).

[^E0002]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/829 of 15 February 2018 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/208 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (OJ L 140, 6.6.2018, p. 8).

[^E0006]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/68 of 15 October 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle braking requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (OJ L 17, 23.1.2015, p. 1).

[^E0007]: Directive 2009/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 amending Council Directive 80/181/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to units of measurement (OJ L 114, 7.5.2009, p. 10).

[^E0008]: Measurement of the chromaticity coordinates of the light emitted by the lamps is not part of this Annex.

[^E0009]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1322/2014 of 19 September 2014 supplementing and amending Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle construction and general requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (OJ L 364, 18.12.2014, p. 1).

[^E0010]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 of 24 October 2013 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements for the approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles (OJ L 7, 10.01.2014, p. 1).

[^E0011]: If applicable.

[^E0012]: If applicable.

[^E0013]: Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast) (OJ L 157, 9.6.2006, p. 24).

[^E0018]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 of 24 October 2013 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements for the approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles (OJ L 7, 10.1.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2014/3/oj)).

[^E0019]: As defined in Part A of Annex II to Directive 2007/46/EC.

[^E0020]: As defined in item 2.6 of Appendix 1.

[^E0021]: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1005/2010 of 8 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for motor vehicle towing devices and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type- approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 291, 9.11.2010, p. 36).

[^E0022]: Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, p. 1).

[^E0023]: % of lug area, also known as ‘land and sea’.