Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on braking devices of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
Date: 2010-12-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European standard, approximation of laws, safety device, technical standard, tractor

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 10.12.2010 
COM(2010) 729 final 

2010/0349 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on braking devices of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors 

(Codification) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

In  the  context  of  a  people’s  Europe,  the  Commission  attaches  great  importance  to 
simplifying  and  clarifying  the  law  of  the  Union  so  as  to  make  it  clearer  and  more 
accessible to the citizens, thus giving them new opportunities and the chance to make 
use of the specific rights it gives them. 

This aim cannot be achieved so long as numerous provisions that have been amended 
several times, often quite substantially, remain scattered, so that they must be sought 
partly  in  the  original  instrument  and  partly  in  later  amending  ones.  Considerable 
research work, comparing many different instruments, is thus needed to identify the 
current rules. 

For  this  reason  a  codification  of  rules  that  have  frequently  been  amended  is  also 
essential if the law is to be clear and transparent. 

On 1 April 1987 the Commission decided1 to instruct its staff that all acts should be 
codified  after  no  more  than  ten  amendments,  stressing  that  this  is  a  minimum 
requirement  and  that  departments  should  endeavour  to  codify  at  even  shorter 
intervals the texts for which they are responsible, to ensure that their provisions are 
clear and readily understandable. 

The  Conclusions  of 
the  Edinburgh  European  Council 
(December 1992) confirmed this2, stressing the importance of codification as it offers 
certainty as to the law applicable to a given matter at a given time. 

the  Presidency  of 

Codification  must  be  undertaken  in  full  compliance  with  the  normal  procedure  for 
the adoption of acts of the Union. 

Given  that  no  changes  of  substance  may  be  made  to  the  instruments  affected  by 
codification, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have agreed, 
by  an  interinstitutional  agreement  dated  20  December  1994,  that  an  accelerated 
procedure may be used for the fast-track adoption of codification instruments. 

is 

this  proposal 

to  undertake  a  codification  of  Council 
The  purpose  of 
Directive 76/432/EEC  of  6  April  1976  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the 
Member  States  relating  to  the  braking  devices  of  wheeled  agricultural  or  forestry 
tractors3. The new Directive will supersede the various acts incorporated in it4; this 
proposal  fully  preserves  the  content  of  the  acts  being  codified  and  hence  does  no 
more than bring them together with only such formal amendments as are required by 
the codification exercise itself. 

The codification proposal was drawn up on the basis of a preliminary consolidation, 
in 22 official languages, of Directive 76/432/EEC and the instruments amending it, 
carried  out  by  the  Publications  Office  of  the  European  Union,  by  means  of  a  data-

COM(87) 868 PV. 
See Annex 3 to Part A of the Conclusions. 
Carried out pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the 
Council – Codification of the Acquis communautaire, COM(2001) 645 final. 
See Annex VI, Part A of this proposal. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

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processing system. Where the Articles have been given new numbers, the correlation 
between the old and the new numbers is shown in a table contained in Annex VII to 
the codified Directive. 

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(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

2010/0349 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on braking devices of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors 

(Codification) 
(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article ⌦ 114 ⌫ thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee5, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

Council Directive 76/432/EEC of 6 April 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member  States  relating  to  the  braking  devices  of  wheeled  agricultural  or  forestry 
tractors6 has been substantially amended several times7. In the interests of clarity and 
rationality, the said Directive should be codified. 

(cid:208)  

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC recital 1 (adapted) 

(2)  ⌦ Directive  76/432/EEC  is  one  of  the  separate  Directives  of  the  EC  type-approval 
system  provided 
replaced  by 
Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 
on type-approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable 

in  Council  Directive  74/150/EEC,  as 

for 

5 
6 
7 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 
OJ L 122, 8.5.1976, p. 1. 
See Annex VI, Part A. 

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towed machinery, together with their systems, components and separate technical units 
and  repealing  Directive  74/150/EEC8,  and  lays  down ⌫  technical  ⌦ prescriptions 
concerning ⌫  braking  devices.  ⌦ Those  technical  prescriptions  concern  the 
approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  to  enable  the  EC  type-approval 
procedure provided for in Directive 2003/37/EC to be applied in respect of each type 
of tractor. Consequently, the provisions laid down in Directive 2003/37/EC relating to 
agricultural and forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery, 
together  with  their  systems,  components  and  separate  technical  units,  apply  to  this 
Directive. ⌫ 

(3) 

This  Directive  should  be  without  prejudice  to  the  obligations  of  the  Member  States 
relating  to  the  time-limits  for  transposition  into  national  law  and  application  of  the 
Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B, 

(cid:208)  

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 
(cid:206)1 Corrigendum 76/432/EEC 
(OJ L 226, 18.8.1976, p. 16) 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

Article 1 

1. ‘Agricultural or forestry tractor’ means any motor vehicle fitted with wheels or (cid:206)1 endless 
tracks  and having at least two axles, the main function of which lies in its tractive power 
and  which  is  specially  designed  to  tow,  push,  carry  or  power  certain  tools,  machinery  or 
trailers  intended  for  agricultural  or  forestry  use.  It  may  be  equipped  to  carry  a  load  and 
passengers. 

2. This Directive shall apply only to tractors defined in paragraph 1 which are equipped with 
pneumatic tyres and have a maximum design speed of between 6 and (cid:206)1 40 km/h . 

(cid:208) 82/890/EEC Art. 1(1) (adapted) 
(cid:206)1 97/54/EC Art. 1 

(cid:208) 96/63/EC (adapted) 

Article 2 

1.  ⌦ With  respect  to  tractors  which  comply  with  the  requirements  laid  down  in  this 
Directive, ⌫ Member States may not ⌦, on grounds relating to braking devices, ⌫: 

8 

OJ L 171, 9.7.2003, p. 1. 

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(a) 

(b) 

refuse, in respect of a type of tractor, to grant EC type-approval or to grant national 
type-approval; or 

 ⌦ refuse ⌫  the  registration  ⌦ or  prohibit  the ⌫  sale  or  entry  into  service  of 
tractors. 

2. Member States 

may refuse to grant national type-approval  

for a type of tractor on grounds relating to braking devices, if the requirements ⌦ laid down 
in ⌫ this Directive are not complied with. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

Article 3 

Member  States  may  not  prohibit  the  use  of  tractors  on  grounds  relating  to  their  braking 
devices if those tractors are fitted with the devices specified in Annexes I to IV and if those 
devices satisfy the requirements set out therein. 

Article 4 

A  Member  State  which  has  granted  ⌦ EC ⌫  type-approval  of  a  tractor  shall  take  the 
necessary  measures  to  ensure  that  it  is  informed  of  any  modification  to  a  component  or 
characteristic mentioned in point 1.1 of Annex I. The competent authorities of that Member 
State shall decide whether fresh tests should be carried out on the modified type of tractor and 
a fresh report  drawn up. If such tests reveal failure to comply with the requirements of this 
Directive, the modification shall not be approved. 

Article 5 

The amendments necessary for adapting the requirements of Annexes I to V to take account 
of technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure ⌦ referred to ⌫ in 
Article 20(3) of Directive 2003/37/EC. 

⌦ Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of 
national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. ⌫ 

Article 6 

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(cid:208)  

Article 7 

Directive 76/432/EEC, as amended by the Directives listed in Annex VI, Part A, is repealed, 
without  prejudice  to  the  obligations  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  the  time-limits  for 
transposition into national law and application of the Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B. 

References  to  the  repealed  Directive  shall  be  construed  as  references  to  this  Directive  and 
shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex VII. 

Article 8 

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union. 

It shall apply from […]. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

Article 9 

This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

ANNEX I 

DEFINITIONS, APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL, EC TYPE-
APPROVAL, CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING REQUIREMENTS 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

1. 

DEFINITIONS 

1.1. 

Type of tractor with respect to the braking devices 

‘Type  of  tractor  with  respect  to  the  braking  devices’  means  tractors  which  do  not 
differ in such essential respects as: 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

1.1.1. 

unladen ⌦ mass ⌫ , as defined in point 1.18, 

1.1.2.  maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ , as defined in point 1.16, 

1.1.3. 

distribution of the ⌦ mass ⌫ between the axles, 

1.1.4. 

technically permissible maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ on each axle, 

1.1.5.  maximum design speed, 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

1.1.6. 

different  type  of  braking  device  (with  particular  reference  to  the  presence  or 
otherwise of devices for braking a trailer), 

1.1.7. 

number and arrangement of the braked axles, 

1.1.8. 

type of engine, 

1.1.9. 

overall transmission ratio corresponding to maximum speed, 

1.1.10.  tyre dimensions (braked axles). 

1.2. 

Braking device 

‘Braking  device’  means  a  combination  of  parts  whose  function  is  progressively  to 
reduce the speed of a moving tractor or to bring it to a halt, or to keep it stationary if 

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already halted. These functions are specified in point 4.1.2. A device shall consist of 
the control, the transmission and the brakes themselves. 

1.3. 

Graduated braking 

‘Graduated braking’ means braking during which, on either the application or release 
of the brakes, within the normal range of operation of the device: 

1.3.1. 

the driver can at any time increase or reduce the braking force through action on the 
control, 

1.3.2. 

the braking force acts in the same direction as the action on the control (monotonic 
function), 

1.3.3. 

it is easy to make a sufficiently fine adjustment to the braking force. 

1.4. 

Control 

‘Control’ means the part actuated directly by the driver to supply to the transmission 
the  energy  required  for  braking  or  controlling  it.  That  energy  may  be  the  muscular 
energy  of  the  driver,  or  energy  from  another  source  controlled  by  the  driver,  or  a 
combination of these various kinds of energy. 

1.5. 

Transmission 

‘Transmission’  means  the  combination  of  components  situated  between  the  control 
and  the  brake  and  connecting  the  two  operationally.  The  transmission  may  be 
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, or mixed. Where the braking power is 
derived  from  or  assisted  by  a  source  of  energy  independent  of  the  driver  but 
controlled by him, the reserve of energy in the device shall likewise be regarded as 
part of the transmission. 

1.6. 

Brake 

‘Brake’  means  the  component  in  which  the  forces  opposing  the  movement  of  the 
tractor  develop.  It  may  be  a  friction  brake  (when  the  forces  are  generated  by  the 
friction  between  the  two  parts  of  the  tractor  moving  relatively  to  one  another),  an 
electrical  brake  (when  the  forces  are  generated  by  electro-magnetic  action  between 
two parts of the tractor moving relatively to but not in contact with one another), a 
fluid brake (when the forces are generated by the action of a fluid situated between 
two parts of the tractor moving relatively to one another), or an engine brake (when 
the forces are derived from a controlled increase in the braking action of the engine 
transmitted to the wheels).  

A  device  which  mechanically  locks  the  tractor's  transmission  but  which  cannot  be 
used when the tractor is in motion shall be regarded as a parking brake. 

1.7. 

Different types of braking devices 

‘Different types of braking devices’ means equipment which differs in such essential 
respects as: 

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1.7.1. 

the  characteristics  of  one  or  more  components,  for  example  the  material,  shape  or 
size, 

1.7.2. 

the arrangement of the components. 

1.8. 

Braking system component 

‘Braking  system  component’  means  one  of  the  individual  parts  which,  when 
assembled, constitute the braking device. 

1.9. 

Continuous braking 

‘Continuous  braking’  means  the  braking  of  combinations  of  vehicles  through  an 
installation having the following characteristics: 

1.9.1. 

a single control which the driver actuates progressively, by a single movement, from 
his driving seat, 

1.9.2. 

the  energy  used  for  braking  the  vehicles  constituting  the  vehicle  combination  is 
supplied from the same source (which may be the muscular energy of the driver), 

1.9.3. 

the  braking  installation  ensures  simultaneous  or  suitably  phased  braking  of  each  of 
the constituent vehicles of the combination, whatever their relative positions. 

1.10. 

Semi-continuous braking 

‘Semi-continuous braking’ means the braking of combinations of vehicles through an 
installation having the following characteristics: 

1.10.1.  a  single  control  which  the  driver  can  actuate  progressively,  by  a  single  movement, 

from his driving seat, 

1.10.2.  the  energy  used  for  braking  the  vehicles  constituting  the  vehicle  combination  is 
supplied from several different sources (one of which may be the muscular energy of 
the driver), 

1.10.3.  the  braking  installation  ensures  simultaneous  or  suitably  phased  braking  of  each  of 
the constituent vehicles of the combination, whatever their relative positions. 

1.11. 

Independent power-operated braking 

‘Independent  power-operated  braking’  means  the  braking  of  combinations  of 
vehicles by means of devices having the following characteristics: 

1.11.1.  a tractor brake control which is independent of the towed vehicle brake control; the 
latter being in all cases mounted on the tractor in such a way as to be easily actuated 
by the driver from his driving seat, 

1.11.2.  the  muscular  energy  of  the  driver  is  not  the  energy  used  for  braking  the  towed 

vehicles. 

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1.12. 

Independent braking 

‘Independent  braking’  means  the  braking  of  combinations  of  vehicles  by  means  of 
devices having the following characteristics: 

1.12.1.  a  tractor  brake  control  which  is  independent  of  the  trailer  brake  control,  the  latter 
being in all cases mounted on the tractor in such a way as to be easily actuated by the 
driver from his driving seat, 

1.12.2.  the muscular energy of the driver is the energy used for braking the towed vehicles. 

1.13.  Automatic braking 

‘Automatic  braking’  means  braking  of  the  towed  vehicle  or  vehicles  occurring 
automatically  in  the  event  of  separation  of  components  of  the  combination  of 
coupled vehicles, including such separation through coupling breakage, without the 
braking  effectiveness  of  the  remainder  of  the  combination  being  substantially 
reduced. 

1.14. 

Inertia braking 

‘Inertia  braking’  means  braking  by  utilising  the  forces  generated  by  the  trailer 
closing up on the tractor. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

1.15.  Laden tractor 

‘Laden  tractor’  means,  except  where  otherwise  stated,  a  tractor  laden  to  its 
‘maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ ’. 

1.16.  Maximum ⌦ mass ⌫  

‘Maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ ’ means the maximum technically permissible ⌦ mass ⌫ 
stated  by  the  manufacturer  (this  ⌦ mass ⌫  may  be  higher  than  the  ‘authorized 
maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ ’). 

1.17.  Unladen tractor 

‘Unladen  tractor’  means  the  tractor  in  running  order,  with  full  tanks  and  radiators, 
with a driver of a mass of 75 kg, but without passengers, optional accessories or load. 

1.18.  Unladen ⌦ mass ⌫  

‘Unladen ⌦ mass ⌫ ’ means the ⌦ mass ⌫ of the unladen tractor. 

2. 

APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL 

2.1. 

An application for EC type-approval for a type of tractor with respect to the braking 
devices shall be submitted by the manufacturer or by his authorized representative. 

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2.2. 

It shall be accompanied by the following documents in triplicate: 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

2.2.1. 

a description of the type of tractor as regards the points mentioned in points 1.1.1 to 
1.1.10.  The  numbers  and/or  symbols  given  by  the  manufacturer  or  his  authorized 
representative to the type of tractor must be supplied, 

2.2.2. 

a list of parts, each properly identified, which make up the braking device, 

2.2.3. 

a  diagram  of  the  braking  device  showing  the  position  of  each  of  the  parts  on  the 
tractor, in order to enable the various components to be located and identified. 

2.3. 

The following must also be provided: 

2.3.1. 

a tractor, representative of the type of tractor to be approved, 

2.3.2. 

such drawings as may be requested of maximum A4 size (210 × 297 mm), or folded 
to this size and drawn to the appropriate scale. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

3. 

EC TYPE-APPROVAL 

The form as illustrated in Annex V shall be completed and attached to the EC type-
approval certificate. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 
(cid:206)1 96/63/EC Art. 1 and Annex, 
pt 1 

4. 

CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING REQUIREMENTS 

4.1. 

General 

4.1.1.  Braking device 

4.1.1.1.  The  braking device must  be so designed, constructed  and installed as to enable the 
tractor in normal use to comply with the undermentioned requirements, despite any 
vibration to which it may be subjected. 

4.1.1.2.  In particular, the braking device must be so designed, constructed and installed as to 
resist  corrosion  and  the  effects  of  ageing  during  service,  which  could  lead  to  a 
sudden loss of braking efficiency. 

4.1.2.  Functions of the braking device 

The braking device defined in point 1.2 must meet the following conditions: 

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4.1.2.1.  Service brakes 

4.1.2.1.1. 

The  service  brake  must  enable  the  motion  of  the  tractor  to  be  controlled  and 
the tractor to be stopped safely, quickly and efficiently, at any design speed and with 
the authorized load on both up and down gradients. It must be possible to regulate its 
action. These conditions are deemed to be fulfilled if the requirements of Annex II 
are satisfied. 

The driver must be able to apply the service brake from his seat and retain control of 
the  steering  device  on  the  tractor  with  at  least  one  hand.  The  service  brake  of  the 
tractor may comprise right and left hand devices. It must be possible to connect them 
up so that they can be actuated in a single operation, and possible to disconnect them 
again. 

Each  device,  right  or  left  hand,  must  have  a  system  of  adjustment,  which  may  be 
either manual or automatic, enabling the balance of the brakes to be easily restored. 

4.1.2.2.  Parking brakes 

4.1.2.2.1. 

The  parking  brake  must  enable  the  tractor  to  be  held  stationary  on  an  up  or 
down gradient even in the absence of the driver, the working parts being then held in 
the locked position by a purely mechanical device. This may be achieved by means 
of a brake acting on the transmission. The driver must be able to apply the parking 
brake  from  his  seat;  a  repeated  action  to  obtain  the  required  performance  is 
permitted. 

4.2. 

Characteristics of braking devices 

4.2.1.  The  set  of  braking  devices  with  which  a  tractor  is  equipped  must  satisfy  the 

requirements laid down for the service and parking brakes. 

4.2.2.  The service and parking brake devices may have common components, provided that 

they fulfil the following conditions: 

4.2.2.1.  there must be at least two controls, independent of each other and readily accessible 
to the driver from the driving seat; it must be possible for this requirement to be met 
even when the driver is wearing a safety belt, 

4.2.2.2.  in  the  event  of  a  breakage  of  any  component  of  the  braking  device  other  than  the 
brakes (as defined in point 1.6) or of any other failure of the service braking device 
(malfunction, partial or total exhaustion of an energy reserve), it must be possible to 
slow the tractor to a halt with a deceleration equal to at least 50 % of the value laid 
down in point 2.1.1 of Annex II. 

These  conditions  shall  be  fulfilled  when  residual  braking  is  achieved  on  wheels 
located on both sides of the median longitudinal plane (without the tractor deviating 
from its course). 

For the purposes of this Section, the lever and cam assemblies, or similar assemblies, 
by means of which the brakes are applied, shall not be regarded as liable to failure. 

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4.2.3.  Where use is made of energy other than the muscular energy of the driver, there need 
not be more than one source of such energy (such as hydraulic pump, air compressor, 
etc.) provided the requirements of point 4.2.2 are fulfilled. 

4.2.4.  The service braking device must act on both wheels of at least one axle. 

4.2.5.  The action of the service braking device must be distributed between the wheels of 
the  same  axle  symmetrically  in  relation  to  the  median  longitudinal  plane  of  the 
tractor. 

4.2.6.  The  service  braking  device  and  the  parking  braking  device  must  act  on  braking 
surfaces  permanently  connected  to  the  wheels  through  components  of  adequate 
strength.  It  must  not  be  possible  to  uncouple  a  braking  surface  from  the 
wheels.(cid:206)1 When more than one axle is normally subject to braking, one axle may be 
decoupled provided that activation of the service brake automatically recouples this 
axle and that, if the recoupling device fails, this is done automatically.  

When one axle is subject to braking, the differential must not be mounted between 
the service brake and the wheels of that axle; when two axles are subject to braking, 
the differential may be mounted between the service brake and the wheels on one of 
the two axles. 

4.2.7.  Wear on the brakes must be easily compensated for by means of a system of manual 
or  automatic  adjustment.  In  addition,  the  control  and  the  components  of  the 
transmission  and  the  brakes  must  possess  a  reserve  of  travel  such  that,  when  the 
brakes  become  heated  or  when  the  brake  linings  have  reached  a  certain  degree  of 
wear, effective braking is ensured without an immediate adjustment being necessary. 

4.2.8. 

In hydraulic braking devices, the filling ports of the fluid reservoirs must be readily 
accessible; in addition, the containers of reserve fluid must be so made that the level 
of the reserve fluid can be easily checked without the containers having to be opened. 

4.2.9.  Every tractor fitted with a brake activated from an energy reservoir must, where the 
prescribed  braking  performance  is  impossible  without  the  use  of  stored  energy,  be 
fitted with a warning device, in addition to the pressure gauge, giving a signal which 
can be seen or heard when the energy, in any part of the installation up to the control 
valve,  falls  to  65  %  or  less  of  its  normal  value.  That  device  must  be  directly  and 
permanently connected to the circuit. 

4.2.10.  Without prejudice to the requirements of point 4.1.2.1, where the use of an auxiliary 
energy  source  is  essential  for  the  operation  of  a  braking  device,  the  energy  reserve 
must  be  such  as  to  ensure  that,  should  the  engine  stop,  the  braking  performance 
remains sufficient to bring the tractor to a halt under the prescribed conditions. 

4.2.11.  Any auxiliary equipment shall draw its energy only in such a way that its operation, 
even  in  the  event  of  damage  to  the  energy  source,  cannot  cause  the  reserves  of 
energy feeding the braking devices to fall below the level indicated in point 4.2.9. 

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ANNEX II 

BRAKING TESTS AND PERFORMANCE OF BRAKING DEVICES 

1. 

BRAKING TESTS 

1.1. 

General 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 
(cid:206)1 96/63/EC Art. 1 and Annex, 
pt 2 

1.1.1.  (cid:206)1 The  effectiveness  of  a  service  brake  is  based  on  the  ⌦ stopping ⌫  distance 
calculated according to the formula set out in point 2.1.1.1.  The stopping distance 
shall be the distance covered by the tractor from the moment when the driver begins 
to actuate the control of the device until the moment when the tractor stops. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEG 

The performance prescribed for parking braking devices shall be based on the ability 
to hold the tractor stationary on an up or down gradient. 

1.1.2.  For  the  type-approval  of  any  tractor,  the  braking  performance  shall  be  measured 

during road tests conducted under the following conditions: 

1.1.2.1.  the tractor's condition as regards ⌦ mass ⌫ must be as prescribed for each type of 

test and be specified in the test report, 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

1.1.2.2.  during the tests the force applied to the brake control in order to obtain the prescribed 
performance must not exceed 60 daN on the pedal controls and 40 daN on the hand-
operated controls, 

1.1.2.3.  the road must have a surface affording good adhesion, 

1.1.2.4.  the tests must be performed when there is no wind liable to affect the results, 

1.1.2.5.  at the start of the tests the tyres must be cold and at the pressure prescribed for the 

load actually borne by the wheels when the tractor is stationary, 

1.1.2.6.  the prescribed performance must be obtained without locking of the wheels, without 

deviation of the tractor from its course, and without abnormal vibration. 

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1.1.3.  During  the  tests,  the  tractor  shall  be  fitted  with  any  parts  intended  by  the 
manufacturer for the operation of the towed vehicle braking devices as referred to in 
points 1.9 to 1.12 of Annex I. 

1.2. 

Type 0 test 
(ordinary performance test with brakes cold) 

1.2.1.  General 

1.2.1.1.  The brakes must be cold at the beginning of the test. A brake is deemed to be cold if 

any one of the following conditions is met: 

1.2.1.1.1. 

the  temperature  measured  on  the  disc  or  on  the  outside  of  the  drum  must  be 

below 100 °C, 

1.2.1.1.2. 

in  the  case  of  totally  enclosed  brakes,  including  oil  immersed  brakes,  the 

temperature measured on the outside of the housing must be below 50 °C, 

1.2.1.1.3. 

the brakes must not have been actuated for one hour. 

1.2.1.2.  During the braking test, an  unbraked axle, when capable of being declutched, must 

not be connected with a braked axle. 

1.2.1.3.  The test must be conducted under the following conditions: 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

1.2.1.3.1. 

the tractor must be laden to its maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ , with an unbraked axle 
also  loaded  to  its  technically  permissible  maximum  ⌦ mass ⌫  ;  the  braked  axle 
wheels  must  be  fitted  with  the  largest  tyres  intended  for  that  tractor  type  by  the 
manufacturer. For tractors braking on all wheels, the front axle must be laden to its 
technically permissible maximum ⌦ mass ⌫ , 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

1.2.1.3.2. 

the test must be repeated on an unladen tractor carrying only the driver and if 
necessary a person responsible for monitoring the results of the test; the tractor must 
be fitted with the largest tyres recommended by the manufacturer, 

1.2.1.3.3. 

the limits prescribed for minimum performance, both for tests with the tractor 

unladen and for tests with it laden, shall be those laid down in point 2.1.1, 

1.2.1.3.4. 

the road must be level. 

1.2.2.  The type 0 test must be carried out: 

1.2.2.1.  at the maximum design speed with the transmission in neutral, 

1.2.2.2.  the minimum prescribed performance must be attained. 

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1.3. 

Type I test 
(fade test) 

1.3.1.  Laden tractors shall be tested in such a manner that the energy input is equivalent to 
that recorded in the same period of time with a laden tractor driven at a steady speed 
of  80  %  ±  5  %  of  that  laid  down  for  type  0  tests  on  a  10 %  down  gradient  for  a 
distance of 1 km, with the transmission in neutral. 

1.3.2.  At the end of the test, the residual performance of the service braking device shall be 
measured  under  the  same  conditions  as  for  the  type  0  test  with  the  transmission  in 
neutral (under different temperature conditions of course). 

2. 

PERFORMANCE OF BRAKING DEVICES 

2.1. 

Service braking devices 

2.1.1.  The service brakes of tractors must: 

2.1.1.1.  under  type  0  test  conditions,  achieve  a  stopping  distance  which  is  calculated  as 

(cid:208) 96/63/EC Art. 1 and Annex, 
pt 2 

follows: 

Smax≤0,15 V + (V2/116) 

where 

V is the maximum design speed in km/h, and 

Smax is the maximum stopping distance in metres, 

2.1.1.2.  after  the  type  I  test,  produce  a  residual  performance  not  less  than  75  %  of  that 
prescribed, and not less than 60 % of the value recorded during the type 0 test (with 
transmission in neutral). 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

2.2. 

Parking braking devices 

2.2.1.  The parking braking device must be capable of holding a laden tractor stationary on 
an 18 % up or down gradient, even if it is combined with one of the other braking 
devices. 

2.2.2.  On tractors to which the coupling of one or more trailers is authorized, the parking 
braking  device  of  the  tractor  must  be  capable  of  holding  the  vehicle  combination, 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

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comprising an unladen tractor and an unbraked trailer of the same ⌦ mass ⌫ (not 
exceeding three metric tons), stationary on a 12 % up or down gradient. 

2.2.3.  A parking braking device which has to be actuated several times before attaining the 

prescribed performance is permissible. 

(cid:208) 76/432/EEC 

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ANNEX III 

SPRING BRAKES 

1. 

DEFINITION 

‘Spring  brakes’  are  braking  devices  for  which  the  energy  required  for  braking  is 
supplied by one or more springs acting as an energy accumulator. 

2. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

2.1. 

A spring brake must not be used as a service brake. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

2.4. 

2.5. 

A  small  variation  in  any  of  the  pressure  limits  which  may  occur  in  the  brake 
compression  chamber  feed  circuit  must  not  cause  a  significant  variation  in  the 
braking force. 

The feed circuit to the spring compression chamber must include an energy reserve 
which  does  not  supply  any  other  device  or  equipment.  This  requirement  shall  not 
apply if the springs can be maintained in the compressed state by using two or more 
independent systems. 

The device must be so designed that it is possible to apply and release the brakes at 
least three times starting with an initial pressure in the spring compression chamber 
equal  to  the  maximum  design  pressure.  This  requirement  must  be  met  when  the 
brakes are adjusted as closely as possible. 

The pressure in the compression chamber below which the springs begin to actuate 
the  brakes,  with  the  latter  adjusted  as  closely  as  possible,  must  not  be  greater  than 
80 % of the minimum level of the normal available pressure. 

2.6.  When the pressure in the spring compression chamber falls to the level at which the 
brake  parts  begin  to  move,  a  warning  signal  which  can  be  seen  or  heard  must  be 
activated. Provided this requirement is met, the warning device may be that specified 
in point 4.2.9 of Annex I. 

2.7. 

On tractors fitted with spring brakes and authorized to draw trailers with continuous 
or semi-continuous brakes, automatic application of the spring brakes must cause the 
trailer brakes to be applied. 

3. 

RELEASE SYSTEM 

3.1. 

Spring  brakes  must  be  so  designed  that,  in  the  event  of  failure,  it  is  possible  to 
release them without using their normal control. This may be achieved by the use of 
an auxiliary device (pneumatic, mechanical, etc.). 

3.2. 

If the operation of the auxiliary device referred to in point 3.1 requires the use of a 
tool or spanner, the tool or spanner must be kept on the tractor. 

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PARKING BRAKING BY MECHANICAL LOCKING OF THE BRAKE CYLINDERS 
(LOCK ACTUATORS) 

ANNEX IV 

1. 

DEFINITION 

‘Mechanical  locking  of  the  brake  cylinders’  means  a  device  for  ensuring  the 
operation of the parking brake by mechanical wedging of the brake piston rod. 

Mechanical locking occurs when the locking chamber is emptied of compressed air; 
the mechanical locking device shall be designed in such a way that it can be released 
when the locking chamber is again subjected to pressure. 

2. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

2.1.  When  the  pressure  in  the  locking  chamber  approaches  the  level  corresponding  to 
mechanical locking, an optical or acoustic warning system must be activated. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

2.4. 

In  the  case  of  brake  actuators  fitted  with  a  mechanical  locking  device,  the  brake 
actuator must be capable of being actuated by either of two energy reserves. 

The locked brake cylinder may only be released if it is certain that the brake can be 
operated again after such release. 

In the event of a failure of the source of energy supplying the locking chamber, an 
auxiliary  unlocking  device  (mechanical  or  pneumatic,  for  instance)  using,  for 
example, the air in one of the tyres of the tractor, must be provided. 

_____________ 

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(cid:208) 76/432/EEC (adapted) 

ANNEX V 

MODEL 

Name of administration 

ANNEX TO THE EC TYPE-APPROVAL CERTIFICATE 
APPROVAL OF BRAKING DEVICES OF WHEELED AGRICULTURAL OR 
FORESTRY TRACTORS 

(Article 4 of Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on type-
approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery, together with 
their systems, components and separate technical units) 

EC type-approval No …………………………………………………………………………………………. 

8. 

Distribution  of  the  maximum ⌦ mass ⌫  of  the  tractor  on  each  axle  as  referred  to  in  point 
1.2.1.3.1 
II 
…………………………………………………………………………………………… 

Annex 

of 

⌦ mass ⌫ (non-braked axle) 

⌦ Mass ⌫ of tractor at time of testing: 

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19. 

Tractor submitted for EC type-approval on ……………………………………………………… 

23. 

EC-type approval in respect of braking is granted/refused (1). 

27. 

The documents referred to in points 2.2.1, 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 of Annex I are annexed hereto. 

_______________ 

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(cid:207) 

ANNEX VI 

Part A 

Repealed Directive with list of its successive amendments 
(referred to in Article 7) 

Council Directive 76/432/EEC 
(OJ L 122, 8.5.1976, p. 1) 

Council Directive 82/890/EEC 
(OJ L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 45) 

Commission Directive 96/63/EC 
(OJ L 253, 5.10.1996, p. 13) 

Only Article 1(1) 

Directive 97/54/EC of the European Parliament and 
of the Council 
(OJ L 277, 10.10.1997, p. 24) 

Only as regards the reference to 
Directive 76/432/EEC in the first 
indent of Article 1 

Part B 

List of time-limits for transposition into national law and application 
(referred to in Article 7) 

Directive 

Time-limit for transposition 

Date of application 

76/432/EEC 

82/890/EEC 

96/63/EC 

97/54/EC 

1 January 1977 

1 October 1977 

21 June 1984 

1 October 1997(*) 

- 

- 

22 September 1998 

23 September 1998 

____________ 
(*) 

In accordance with Article 2 of Directive 96/63/EC: 

‘1.  With effect from 1 October 1997 Member States may not: 

– 

refuse, in respect of a type of tractor, to grant EC type-approval, to issue the document 
referred  to  in  the  last  indent  of  Article  10  (1)  of  Directive  74/150/EEC  or  to  grant 
national type-approval, or 

– 

prohibit the registration, sale or entry into service of tractors, 

on  grounds  relating  to  braking  devices,  if  the  tractors  comply  with  the  requirements  of 
Directive 76/432/EEC as amended by this Directive. 

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2.  With effect from 1 March 1998 Member States: 

– 

– 

shall  no  longer  grant  EC  type-approval  or  issue  the  document  referred  to  in  the  last 
indent of Article 10 (1) of Directive 74/150/EEC, and 

may refuse to grant national type-approval 

type  of 

for  a 
Directive 76/432/EEC as amended by this Directive are not complied with.’ 

tractor  on  grounds  relating 

to  braking  devices, 

if 

the  requirements  of 

_____________ 

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ANNEX VII 

CORRELATION TABLE 

Directive 76/432/EEC 

Directive 96/63/EC 

This Directive 

Article 1 

Article 2 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Article 3 

Article 4 

Article 5 

Article 6(1) 

Article 6(2) 

- 

- 

Article 7 

Annexes I to V 

- 

- 

Article 1 

- 

Article  2(1),  introductory 
wording 

Article 
wording 

2(1), 

introductory 

Article 2(1), first indent 

Article 2(1)(a) 

Article 
indent 

Article 
wording 

2(1), 

second 

Article 2(1)(b) 

2(1), 

final 

Article 
wording 

2(1), 

introductory 

Article  2(2),  introductory 
wording 

Article 2(2) 

Article 2(2), first indent 

- 

Article 
indent 

Article 
wording 

2(2), 

second 

Article 2(2) 

2(2), 

final 

Article 2(2) 

Article 3 

Article 4 

Article 5 

- 

Article 6 

Article 7 

Article 8 

Article 9 

Annexes I to V 

Annex VI 

Annex VII 

_________________ 

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