The Irish Farmers Journal can exclusively reveal that a total of 237 ‘full’ RSA tractor tests have been carried out since testing first began back in June 2018.
Despite the largely improving pass rate over the past few years, a total of 125 tractors have failed the test to date, a 53% fail rate. This includes 20 tractors which fell into the ‘failed dangerously’ bracket.
In May 2018, legislation was introduced requiring fast tractors to undergo a roadworthiness test, similar to that of an NCT for cars.
Eligible tractors are required to display a certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) on the vehicle’s windscreen.
The tractor test mirrors the test currently carried out on heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs), but has been modified to suit tractors.
The tractor test is similar to the test currently carried out on heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs).
Eligible tractors should be tested after they have reached their fourth birthday, and every second year after that. Typically, each tractor test takes around one hour. Once a tractor has passed the test, a CVRT certificate will be issued to the owner.
If a tractor is deemed to have failed dangerously, it cannot be driven out of the test centre.
Similar to other vehicle tests, if the initial test is failed, the retest must be carried out within 21 days.
A total of 12 different tractor brands have been tested to date. With 71 units tested, high-speed tractor manufacturer JCB has been the most tested brand, accounting for 28% of all tests.
Steering linkage condition is amongst the biggest causes of failure.
John Deere has been the second most tested, accounting for 18%.
Meanwhile, New Holland has accounted for a further 16% of all tests to date. Thus, just three brands have accounted for over 62% of all tests carried out to date.
There are 36 RSA approved test centres across 19 counties throughout the country, all of which are also heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) testing centres.
Testing to date has taken place across 16 counties. The three counties with test centres but with no tests recorded to date are Dublin, Donegal and Limerick.
Mechanical coupling and towing device is another major cause of test failure.
Kerry has led the way in terms of the number of tests carried out to date, accounting for 13.5% of all tests. Mayo (9.5%) and Kildare (9.5%) accounted for a further 19% of all tests.
The top 10 counties listed have accounted for almost 84% of all tests carried out to date.
Over the past four years of testing, steering linkage condition; speed discs; lights condition and operation; and mechanical coupling and towing device; have been among the most common failure items.
Steering linkage condition is a broad term which covers a lot of moving parts. These include the rack and pinion, steering box, orbital box, idler assembly and track rod ends/steering arm.
The presence and condition of a speed disc is inspected. If the speed disc is absent, the wrong size, not displayed in km/h or other various issues, it will result in a failure.
Lights condition and operation speaks for itself, and includes the full presence of functional lights.
Any lights not working, incorrectly positioned, not fitted symmetrically or with badly cracked lens will result in a failure.
A headlamp aim tester (HAT) also tests the alignment of the dipped beam.
Meanwhile, mechanical coupling and towing device covers a lot of wearing parts. The lift arms and hitch are inspected for wear, distortion, repairs and modifications.
A test is carried out to ensure the lift arm can retain the ball, ensuring the lever and retaining clamp are functional.
If the hitch is fitted with a hook-type coupling, the distance between the keeper plate and the tip of the hook must not exceed 15mm.
No building up with weld is permitted.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) notes that a fast tractor is defined as a wheeled tractor in category T, with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h.
The requirement of a fast tractor to be tested is based on its use. Any fast tractor which is used for a non-exempted activity (that is non-agricultural work) requires a CRW.
Such examples of tractors required to be tested include: those involved in local authority work, the construction industry, the quarrying industry, the manufacturing industry, the mining industry or road construction/roadworks.
The RSA has stated that a fast tractor will not have to be tested if it is being used for the purposes of agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery activity solely within the State and mainly on the land where such activity takes place, including agricultural roads, forestry roads or agricultural fields.
The Irish Farmers Journal can exclusively reveal that a total of 237 ‘full’ RSA tractor tests have been carried out since testing first began back in June 2018.
Despite the largely improving pass rate over the past few years, a total of 125 tractors have failed the test to date, a 53% fail rate. This includes 20 tractors which fell into the ‘failed dangerously’ bracket.
In May 2018, legislation was introduced requiring fast tractors to undergo a roadworthiness test, similar to that of an NCT for cars.
Eligible tractors are required to display a certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) on the vehicle’s windscreen.
The tractor test mirrors the test currently carried out on heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs), but has been modified to suit tractors.
The tractor test is similar to the test currently carried out on heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs).
Eligible tractors should be tested after they have reached their fourth birthday, and every second year after that. Typically, each tractor test takes around one hour. Once a tractor has passed the test, a CVRT certificate will be issued to the owner.
If a tractor is deemed to have failed dangerously, it cannot be driven out of the test centre.
Similar to other vehicle tests, if the initial test is failed, the retest must be carried out within 21 days.
A total of 12 different tractor brands have been tested to date. With 71 units tested, high-speed tractor manufacturer JCB has been the most tested brand, accounting for 28% of all tests.
Steering linkage condition is amongst the biggest causes of failure.
John Deere has been the second most tested, accounting for 18%.
Meanwhile, New Holland has accounted for a further 16% of all tests to date. Thus, just three brands have accounted for over 62% of all tests carried out to date.
There are 36 RSA approved test centres across 19 counties throughout the country, all of which are also heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) testing centres.
Testing to date has taken place across 16 counties. The three counties with test centres but with no tests recorded to date are Dublin, Donegal and Limerick.
Mechanical coupling and towing device is another major cause of test failure.
Kerry has led the way in terms of the number of tests carried out to date, accounting for 13.5% of all tests. Mayo (9.5%) and Kildare (9.5%) accounted for a further 19% of all tests.
The top 10 counties listed have accounted for almost 84% of all tests carried out to date.
Over the past four years of testing, steering linkage condition; speed discs; lights condition and operation; and mechanical coupling and towing device; have been among the most common failure items.
Steering linkage condition is a broad term which covers a lot of moving parts. These include the rack and pinion, steering box, orbital box, idler assembly and track rod ends/steering arm.
The presence and condition of a speed disc is inspected. If the speed disc is absent, the wrong size, not displayed in km/h or other various issues, it will result in a failure.
Lights condition and operation speaks for itself, and includes the full presence of functional lights.
Any lights not working, incorrectly positioned, not fitted symmetrically or with badly cracked lens will result in a failure.
A headlamp aim tester (HAT) also tests the alignment of the dipped beam.
Meanwhile, mechanical coupling and towing device covers a lot of wearing parts. The lift arms and hitch are inspected for wear, distortion, repairs and modifications.
A test is carried out to ensure the lift arm can retain the ball, ensuring the lever and retaining clamp are functional.
If the hitch is fitted with a hook-type coupling, the distance between the keeper plate and the tip of the hook must not exceed 15mm.
No building up with weld is permitted.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) notes that a fast tractor is defined as a wheeled tractor in category T, with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h.
The requirement of a fast tractor to be tested is based on its use. Any fast tractor which is used for a non-exempted activity (that is non-agricultural work) requires a CRW.
Such examples of tractors required to be tested include: those involved in local authority work, the construction industry, the quarrying industry, the manufacturing industry, the mining industry or road construction/roadworks.
The RSA has stated that a fast tractor will not have to be tested if it is being used for the purposes of agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery activity solely within the State and mainly on the land where such activity takes place, including agricultural roads, forestry roads or agricultural fields.
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