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Thisdocumentismeantpurelyasadocumentationtoolandtheinstitutionsdonotassumeanyliabilityforitscontents
►B COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 4 March 1974
ontheapproximationofthelawsoftheMemberStatesrelatingtocertainpartsandcharacteristics
of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
(74/151/EEC)
(OJ L 84, 28.3.1974, p. 25)
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 226, 18.8.1976, p. 16 (74/151)
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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 4 March 1974
ontheapproximationofthelawsoftheMemberStatesrelatingto
certainpartsandcharacteristicsofwheeledagriculturalorforestry
tractors
(74/151/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament(
1);
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee(2);
Whereas the technical requirements with which tractors must comply
pursuant to national laws relate, inter alia , to the maximum permissible
laden weight, the location and fitting of rear registration plates, fueltanks, ballast weights, audible warning devices and permissible soundlevel and exhaust systems (silencer);
Whereas these requirements differ from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the samerequirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, inorder, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure whichwas the subject of the Council Directive of 4 March 1974 (
3)o nt h e
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors to be applied inrespect of each type of tractor,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. ‘Agricultural or forestry tractor' means any motor vehicle, fitted
with wheels or ►C1endless tracks ◄and having at least two axles,
the main function of which lies in its tractive power and which isspecially designed to tow, push, carry or power certain tools, machineryor trailers intended for agricultural or forestry use. It may be equippedto carry a load and passengers.
2. This Directive shall apply only to tractors defined in the preceding
paragraph which are fitted with pneumatic tyres and which have twoaxles and a maximum design speed of between 6 and 25 km/h.
Article 2
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval of a tractor on grounds relating to:
— the maximum permissible laden weight,
— the location and fitting of the rear registration plates,— fuel tanks,— ballast weights,— audible warning devices,— the permissible sound level and exhaust system (silencer),
is these satisfy the requirements set out in the relevant Annexes.
(1) OJ No 28, 17. 2. 1967, p. 462/67.
(2) OJ No 42, 7. 3. 1967, p. 620/67.
(3) See p. 10 of this Official Journal.
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Article 3
No Member State may refuse the registration or prohibit the sale, entry
into service or use of tractors on grounds relating to the parts andcharacteristics listed in Article 2 if these satisfy the requirements set outin the relevant Annexes.
Article 4
The amendments necessary for adapting to technical progress the
requirements of the Annexes, apart from those set out at points I.1 andI.4.1.2 of Annex VI, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedurelaid down in Article 13 of the Council Directive on the type-approval ofwheeled agricultural or forestry tractors.
Article 5
1. Member States shall put into force the provisions necessary in
order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of itsnotification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions of
national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive arecommunicated to the Commission.
Article 6
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
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ANNEX I
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LADEN WEIGHT
1. The technically permissible maximum laden weight as stated by the manu-
facturer shall be accepted by the competent administration as the maximumpermissible laden weight provided that:
1.1. the results of any tests which that administration makes, in particular those
in respect of braking and steering, are satisfactory.
1.2. the maximum permissible laden weight does not exceed 14 metric tons and
the maximum permissible weight per axle does not exceed 10 metric tons.
2. Whatever the state of loading of the tractor, the weight transmitted to the
road by the wheels on the forward axle must not be less than 20 % of theunladen weight of that tractor.
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ANNEX II
1.SHAPE AND DIMENSIONS OF THE SPACE FOR MOUNTING
REAR REGISTRATION PLATES
The space for mounting shall comprise an even or virtually even rectan-
gular surface with the following minimum dimensions:
— length 240 mm;
— height 165 mm.
2.LOCATIONOFTHESPACEFORMOUNTINGANDTHEFIXING
OF THE PLATES
The space for mounting shall be such that, after correct fixing, the plates
shall have the following characteristics:
2.1.Position of the plate in relation to the width of the vehicle
The centre point of the plate may not be situated to the right of the plane
of symmetry of the tractor in Member States where traffic drives on theright or to the left of that plane where traffic drives on the left.
In Member States where traffic drives on the right, the left-hand edge of
the plate may not be situated to the left of the vertical plane which isparallel to the plane of symmetry of the tractor and which touches theextreme outer edge of the vehicle.
In Member States where traffic drives on the left, the right-hand edge of
the plate may not be situated to the right of the vertical plane which isparallel to the plane of symmetry of the tractor and which touches theextreme outer edge of the vehicle.
2.2.Positionoftheplateinrelationtothelongitudinalplaneofsymmetry
of the tractor
The plate shall be perpendicular or practically perpendicular to the plane
of symmetry of the tractor.
2.3.Position of the plate in relation to the vertical plane
The plate shall be vertical within a tolerance of 5 °. However, where the
shape of the tractor so requires, it may be inclined to the vertical:
2.3.1. at not more than 30 °when the surface bearing the registration number is
inclined upwards, provided that the height of the upper edge of the plate isnot more than 1 ·20 metres from the ground;
2.3.2. at not more than 15 °when the surface bearing the registration number is
inclined downwards, provided that the height of the upper edge of theplate is more than 1 ·20 metres from the ground.
2.4.Height of the plate from the ground
The height of the lower edge of the plate from the ground shall not be less
than 0 ·30 metres: the height of the upper edge of the plate from the
ground shall be not more than 1 ·20 metres. However, where it is impos-
sible in practice to comply with this latter provision, the height mayexceed 1 ·20 metres, but it must then be as close to that limit as the
constructional characteristics of the tractor allow, and must in no caseexceed 2 ·5 metres.
2.5.Determination of the height of the plate from the ground
The heights given in 2.3 and 2.4 shall be measured with the tractor
unladen.
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ANNEX III
TANKS FOR LIQUID FUEL
1. Fuel tanks must be made so as to be corrosion resistant. They must satisfy the
leakage tests carried out by the manufacturer at a pressure equal to double theworking pressure but in any event not less than 1 ·3 bars. Any excess pressure
or any pressure exceeding the working pressure must be automaticallycompensated by suitable devices (vents, safety valves etc.). The vents must bedesigned in such a way as to prevent any fire risk. The fuel must not escapethrough the fuel-tank cap or through the devices provided to compensateexcess pressure even if the tank is completely overturned: a drip shall betolerated.
2. Fuel tanks must be installed in such a way as to be protected from the
consequences of an impact to the front or to the rear of the tractor; there shallbe no protruding parts, sharp edges etc. near the tanks.
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ANNEX IV
BALLAST WEIGHTS
If, in order to satisfy the provisions laid down for EEC type-approval, a tractor
has to be fitted with ballast weights, these weights must be provided by themanufacturer, be made of metal, designed for fixing to the tractor, and bear themark of the firm manufacturing them and an indication of their approximateweight in kilograms.
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ANNEX V
AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE
1. The warning device must bear the EEC approval mark prescribed by the
Council Directive of 27 July 1970 on the approximation of the laws ofMember States relating to audible warning devices for motor vehicles (
1).
2.Characteristics of the Audible Warning Device when fitted to the
tractor
2.1. Acoustic tests
When a tractor is type approved, the characteristics of the warning device
fitted to that type of tractor shall be tested as follows:
2.1.1. The sound pressure level of the device when fitted to the tractor shall be
measured at a point 7 metres in front of the tractor, at a site which is openand as level as possible. The engine of the tractor shall be stopped. Theeffective voltage shall be that laid down in point 1.2.1. of Annex I to theDirective referred to at 1 above.
2.1.2. Measurements shall be made on the ‘A' weighting scale of the IEC
(International Electrotechnical Commission) standard.
2.1.3. The maximum sound pressure level shall be determined at a height
between 0 ·5 and 1 ·5 metres above ground level.
2.1.4. The said maximum must be not less than 93 dB (A).
(1) OJ No L 176, 10. 8. 1970, p. 12.
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ANNEX VI
I.PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS
I.1.Limits
The sound level of the tractors referred to in Article 1 of this Directive,
when measured under the conditions set out in this Annex, may notexceed the following levels:
89 dB (A) for tractors with an unladen weight exceeding 1 ·5 metric
tons;
85 dB (A) for tractors with an unladen weight not exceeding 1 ·5 metric
tons.
I.2.Measuring instruments
The noise emitted by tractors shall be measured by means of a sound-
level meter of the type described in Publication 179, 1st Edition (1965)of the International Electrotechnical Commission.
I.3.Conditions of measurement
Measurements shall be made on unladen tractors in a sufficiently silent
and open area (ambient noise and wind noise at least 10 dB (A) belowthe noise being measured).
This area may take the form, for instance, of an open space of 50 metre
radius having a central part of at least 20 metres radius which ispractically level; it may be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or similarmaterial and may not be covered with powdery snow, tall grass, loosesoil or ashes.
The surface of the test track shall be such as not to cause excessive
tyre noise. This condition applies only to measurement of the noisemade by tractors in motion.
Measurement shall be carried out in fine weather with little wind. No
person other than the observer taking the readings from the apparatusmay remain near the tractor or the microphone, as the presence ofspectators near either the tractor or the microphone may considerablyaffect the readings from the apparatus. Marked fluctuations of thepointer which appear to be unrelated to the characterstics of the generalsound level shall be ignored in taking readings.
I.4.Method of measurement
I.4.1. Measurement of noise of tractors in motion (for type-approval).
At least two measurements shall be made on each side of the tractor.
Preliminary measurements may be made for adjustment purposes butshall be disregarded.
The microphone shall be situated 1 ·2 metres above ground level at a
distance of 7 ·5 metres from the path of the tractor’s centre line, CC,
measured along the perpendicular PP' to that line (figure 1).
Two lines AA'and BB',parallel to line PP'and situated respectively 10
metres forward and 10 metres rearward of the line, shall be marked outon the test track. Tractors shall approach line AA'at a steady speed, asspecified below. The throttle shall then be fully opened as rapidly aspracticable and held in the fully opened position until the rear of thetractor (
1) crosses line BB'; the throttle shall then be closed again as
rapidly as possible.
The maximum sound level recorded shall constitute the result of the
measurement.
I.4.1.1. The test speed shall be three-quarters of the maximum speed which can
be attained in the highest gear used for road movement.
(1) If the tractor includes a trailer, this shall not be taken into account in determining
when line BB' is crossed.
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I.4.1.2. Interpretation of results
I.4.1.2.1. To take account of inaccuracies in the measuring instruments, the
result obtained from each measurement shall be determined bydeducting 1 dB (A) from the meter reading.
I.4.1.2.2. Measurements shall be considered valid if the difference between two
consecutive measurements on the same side of the tractor does notexceed 2 dB (A).
I.4.1.2.3. The highest sound level measured shall constitute the test result.
Should that result exceed by 1 dB (A) the maximum permissible soundlevel for the category of tractor tested, two further measurements shallbe made. Three of the four measurements thus obtained must fallwithin the prescribed limits.
Measuring positions for tractors in motion
Figure 1
I.4.2. Measurement of noise of stationary tractors (not required for type-
approval).
I.4.2.1. Position of sound-level meter
Measurements shall be made at point X (shown in figure 2) at a
distance of 7 metres from the nearest surface of the tractor.
The microphone shall be situated 1 ·2 metres above ground level.
I.4.2.2. Number of measurements
At least two measurements shall be made.
I.4.2.3. Tractor test conditions
The engine of a tractor without a speed governor shall be run at
three-quarters of the rpm speed at which, according to the tractormanufacturer, it develops its maximum power. The rpm speed of theengine shall be measured by means of an independent instrument, e.g.a roller bed and a tachometer. If the engine is fitted with a governorpreventing the engine from exceeding the speed at which it develops
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its maximum power, it shall be run at the maximum speed permitted
by the governor.
Before taking any measurements, the engine shall be brought to its
normal running temperature.
I.4.2.4. Interpretation of results
All sound-level readings recorded shall be given in the report.The method used to calculate the engine power shall also be shown
where possible. The state of loading of the tractor must also be given.
The measurements shall be considered valid if the difference between
two consecutive measurements on the same side of the tractor does notexceed 2 dB (A).
The maximum figure recorded shall constitute the result of the meas-
urement.
Measuring positions for stationary tractors
Figure 2
II.EXHAUST SYSTEM(SILENCER)
II.1. If the tractor is fitted with a device designed to reduce the exhaust
noise (silencer), the requirements of this Item II shall apply. If the inletof the engine is fitted with an air filter which is necessary in order toensure compliance with the permissible sound level, the filter shall beconsidered to be part of the silencer, and the requirements of this ItemII shall also apply to that filter.
II.2. A drawing of the exhaust system must be annexed to the tractor
type-approval certificate
II.3. The silencer must be marked with a reference to its make and type
which is clearly legible and indelible.
II.4. The use of fibrous absorbent material is permitted in the construction
of silencers only if the following conditions are fulfilled:
II.4.1. The fibrous absorbent material may not be placed in those parts of the
silencer through which gases pass;
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II.4.2. Suitable devices must ensure that the fibrous absorbent material is kept
in place for the whole time that the silencer is being used;
II.4.3. The fibrous absorbent material must be resistant to a temperature at
least 20 % higher than the operating temperature (degrees C) whichmay occur in the region of the silencer where those fibrous absorbentmaterials are situated.