►B

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

of 24 June 1980

on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the operating space, access to the driving position and the doors and windows of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors

(80/720/EEC)

(OJ L 194, 28.7.1980, p.1)

Official Journal

  No

page

date

►M1

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 82/890/EEC of 17 December 1982

  L 378

45

31.12.1982

►M2

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 88/414/EEC of 22 June 1988

  L 200

34

26.7.1988

►M3

DIRECTIVE 97/54/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 September 1997

  L 277

24

10.10.1997

►M4

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2010/22/EU Text with EEA relevance of 15 March 2010

  L 91

1

10.4.2010

l.1.

‘Operating space’ means the minimum volume of space between any fixed parts of the structure which is available to the driver of the tractor to enable him to operate the tractor from his seat in any way required with complete safety.

‘Seat reference point’ means the reference point determined by the method described in Appendix 1.

‘Reference plane’ means the plane parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the tractor passing through the seat reference point.

I.2.

The width of the operating space must be at least 900 mm, from 400 to 900 mm above the reference point and over a length of 450 mm forward of this point (see Figures 2 and 3).

I.3.

Vehicle parts and accessories must not hamper the driver when driving the tractor.

I.4.

For all positions of the steering column and the steering wheel ►M2  with the exception of those intended solely for entry and exit ◄ , the clearance between the base of the steering wheel and the fixed parts of the tractor must be at least 50 mm; in all other directions this clearance must be at least 80 mm from the rim of the steering wheel, as measured from outside the area occupied by the steering wheel (see Figure 2).

I.5.

The rear wall of the cab from 300 to 900 mm above the seat reference point must be a minimum of 150 mm behind a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the reference plane and passes through the reference point (see Figures 2 and 3).

This wall must have a width of at least 300 mm on either side of the seat reference plane (see Figure 3).

I.6.

The manual controls must be located in relation to one another and to the other parts of the tractor so that no danger of injury to the operator's hands arises from their operation.

Where the force required to operate a control exceeds 150 N, a clearance of 50 mm will be considered adequate and where the force is between 80 N and 150 N, a clearance of 25 mm will suffice. Any clearance will be accepted in relation to controls where the operating force required is less than 80 N (see Figure 3).

Alternative locations for the controls which achieve equally satisfactory safety standards are acceptable.

I.7.

No ►M2  rigid ◄ point on the roof must be less than 1 050 mm from the seat reference point in a section situated forward of a vertical plane passing through the reference point and perpendicular to the reference plane (see Figure 2). ►M2  The padding may extend downwards to 1 000 mm above the seat reference point. ◄

1.8.

The radius of curvature of the surface between the rear panel of the cab and the roof of the cab may extend up to a maximum of 150 mm.

II.1.

It must be possible to use the means of entry and exit without danger. Wheel hubs, hub caps or wheel rims are not acceptable as steps or rungs.

II.2.

The points of access to the driving position and to the passenger seat must be free of any parts liable to cause injury. Where an obstruction such as a clutch pedal is present, a step or footrest must be provided to ensure safe access to the driving position.

II.3.

Steps, integral foot recesses and rungs must have the following dimensions:

II.4.

The upper step or rung must be easily identifiable and accessible for a person leaving the vehicle. The vertical distance between successive steps or rungs must as far as possible be equal.

II.5.

Appropriate handholds must be provided for all the means of entry and exit.

II.6

The lowest foothold must not be more than 550 mm above the ground when the tractor is fitted with the largest tyre size recommended by the manufacturer (see Figure 4). Steps or rungs must be designed and constructed in such a way that feet will not slip on them.

III.1.

The devices operating the doors and windows must be designed and installed in such a way that they neither constitute a danger to the driver nor impede him while driving.

III.2.

The opening angle of the door must permit entry and exit without danger.

III.3.

Ventilation windows ►M2  if any ◄ must be easily adjustable.

III.5.

Two-door cabs must have one extra exit constituting an emergency exit.

Single-door cabs must have two extra exits constituting emergency exits.

Each of the three exits must be on a different cab wall (the term ‘wall’ may include the roof). Windscreens and side, rear and roof windows may be regarded as emergency exits if provision is made to open them ►M2  or to move them ◄ quickly from inside the cab.

The surrounds of emergency exits must present no danger on exit.

Emergency exits must have the minimum dimensions required to circumscribe an ellipse with a minor axis of 440 mm and a major axis of 640 mm.

▼M4

Any window of sufficient size may be designated as an emergency exit if they are made of breakable glass and can be broken with a tool provided in the cab for that purpose. Glass referred to in Appendices 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Annex III B to Council Directive 89/173/EEC ( 6 ) is not considered to be breakable glass for the purpose of this Directive.