Roll-over protection structures of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors

This Directive is a codified version of Directive 77/536/EC and forms part of the approximation of the laws of the Member States in respect of the approval of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors in order to consolidate the internal market.

ACT

Directive 2009/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the roll-over protection structures of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (Text with EEA relevance).

SUMMARY

This Directive lays down technical prescriptions concerning the design and construction of certain types of agricultural or forestry tractors as regards roll-over protection structures, under the EC type-approval procedure.

What type of vehicle is concerned by the Directive?

This Directive applies to tractors with the following characteristics:

• clearance beneath the rear axle of not more than 1000 mm;
• fixed or adjustable track width of one of the driving axles of 1150 mm or more;
• possibility of being fitted with a multipoint coupling device for detachable tools and a draw bar;
• mass between 1.5 and 6 tonnes.

All tractors concerned must be equipped with a roll-over protection structure (safety cab or frame). These structures include those which are intended to avoid or limit risks to the driver resulting from roll-over of the tractor during use. The structures must ensure an unobstructed space inside them large enough to protect the driver whose movements on the seat are limited.

What are the conditions for EC component type-approval?

The manufacturer of the tractor or protection structure must apply for EC component-type approval in order to be authorised to place the vehicle on the market. This application for approval must be accompanied in particular by a drawing, a photograph and a description of the protection structure.

Once approved, the protection structure must bear the following markings:

• the trade mark or name;
• the component type-approval mark.

Member States may not prohibit the placing on the market of a vehicle the protection structure of which bears the component type-approval mark unless it fails to conform to the required conditions.

Directive 2009/57/EC repeals Directive 77/536/EEC and is itself repealed by Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 with effect from 1 January 2016.

Last updated: 02.07.2014