COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 4 March 1974  on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to certain parts and characteristics of wheeled agricultural or forestry 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, fuel tanks, ballast weights, audible warning devices and permissible sound level 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 same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure which was the subject of the Council Directive of 4 March 1974 (3) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors to be applied in respect of each type of tractor,
1. "Agricultural or forestry tractor" means any motor vehicle, fitted with wheels or caterpillar 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 the preceding paragraph which are fitted with pneumatic tyres and which have two axles and a maximum design speed of between 6 and 25 km/h.
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.
No Member State may refuse the registration or prohibit the sale, entry into service or use of tractors on grounds relating to the parts and characteristics listed in Article 2 if these satisfy the requirements set out in the relevant Annexes.
The amendments necessary for adapting to technical progress the requirements of the Annexes, apart from those set out at points I.1 and I.4.1.2 of Annex VI,   (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.
shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of the Council Directive on the type-approval of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors.
1. Member States shall put into force the provisions necessary in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification 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 are communicated to the Commission.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.