Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 18:01 Sebastian Tuque Terre-net Media
Move yourself legally? Agricultural machinery, more and bigger, they respect the rules of the road? Who has never lost in the multitude of texts, laws, decisions that govern the movement of agricultural vehicles? These are the basic rules to know.
The template of a convoy delivers on three characteristics: the length, width and ground. In France, these are regulated (only the height is free). However, beware! Signage bridges and tunnels is not systematic over 4.3 m. Vigilance is therefore required when the vehicle height exceeds 4 m.
Beyond 4.5 m wide, it is an exceptional convoy
Regarding the width, the gear can freely roll if it is less or equal to 2.55 m. In addition, there are two types of trains: Category A for vehicles (or sets) of 2.55 to 3.5 m wide and Category B for those of 3.5 to 4.5 m. Finally, beyond 4.5 m, do not look; you are considered an exceptional convoy: you must request official authorization to travel.
Length side you circulate freely if it does not exceed 12 m (18 m or you are towing a tool).
The attachments should not exceed more than 4 m plumb front of the tractor and over 7 m rear aplomb. In addition, to signal the tool, you need to sign a square (or rectangular) or retro-reflective tape red and white to the front (or back) of the vehicle when overtaking is between 1 and 4 m. Two panels when it is between 4 and 7 m (the farthest from the tractor must be less than one meter from the end of the tool).
For vehicles over 12 m (or sets of more than 18 m), use reflective material and / or side lights.
Up to 3 000 € fine in case of overload
Finally, the ground, the following rules apply to all types of trains:
The mass of each vehicle in the convoy shall not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shown on the registration certificate of the vehicle or trailer.
The total mass of the train shall not exceed the permissible gross train weight (GCW) mentioned on the registration of the tractor.
The weight carried by an axle must never be greater than 13 t.
Trailers and other towed devices must meet additional constraints if the assembly includes up to 4 axles, its mass can reach 38 t max.
Attention all Overload1 is strictly prohibited! In addition ruining your workday, you are liable to heavy penalties. For example, to an overrun of:
5% of the gross vehicle weight: it is a violation of 4th category. You can lose between 3 and 6 points on your license and earn a fine of up to € 750.
20% of the gross weight (or recurrence): it is an offense of the fifth class. In this case, you may withdraw your driving license and up to € 3,000 fine.
Additional rules exist. For example, the actual weight of trailers, semi-trailers or towed equipment may not exceed 5.5 times the curb weight of the tractor. The load transfer on the coupling stud should not be greater than t 3 (t 4 with a hitch ball 80 mm in diameter). Attention should be paid with reflective element to the actual registration of the vehicle and the data on the road homologation certificate says “red strikethrough”.
Your convoy exceeds authorized templates?
The decree of 4 May 2006 on the movement of vehicles and agricultural and forestry applies. In this case, the division into two categories is valid again. To comply with the law, the following rules apply.