The Importance of Trailer Brake Safety
We are so pleased to be able to work with Ireland farm machinery to raise awareness of farm trailer safety. Modern farming places heavy demands on equipment, making it essential to ensure that your machinery is in top condition—safe, reliable, and roadworthy.
Operators holding an Operator's Licence are required to conduct regular brake performance tests on their lorries and commercial trailers. From April 2025, it will be necessary for these trailers undergo a minimum of four laden roller brake tests per year. (Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).
While agricultural trailers are not currently subject to the same legal requirements, they must still comply with other safety regulations, including:
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), which require that:
- All work equipment is maintained in an efficient state and good repair.
- Maintenance logs, where applicable, are kept up to date.
- Maintenance operations can be carried out safely.
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, outline design, construction, and maintenance standards, where Regulation 18(5) states that agricultural trailers manufactured on or after December 1, 1985, must achieve a braking efficiency of at least 25% when fully loaded.
Why Regular Brake Testing Matters
Although not yet legally required in an agricultural context, routine brake testing should be an essential part of your maintenance routine—especially for trailers, as over time, brake performance can deteriorate, leading to issues such as:
- Trailers pulling to one side.
- Brakes locking up.
- Uneven tyre wear or flat spots—particularly in wet conditions.
Early identification of these issues helps prevent costly repairs and enhances road safety.
Rolling Road Testing at Ireland’s Farm Machinery
Ireland’s Farm Machinery Ltd offers rolling road brake testing for agricultural trailers, helping operators maintain high safety standards. Their extra-wide rollers are designed to accommodate all makes and models of trailers, as well as HGVs, delivering a detailed efficiency breakdown for each axle. This enables them to identify potential braking imbalances and ensure optimal performance and compliance.
