Keeping your tractor and trailer lit up

Most farmers spend more time in the tractor cab than they do at the kitchen table. Certainly, at this time of year, farmers spend more time in the driving seat of the tractor than they do in their beds.  It’s coming to the end of the summer and there are so many farming jobs that we cannot do without the trusty tractor.  It is easy to take it for granted, whether you are bringing the turf home, saving the hay or simply moving animals.  Half of all farming accidents involve tractors. The mind can often be on the job in hand and so it is important to have all the safety checks done on your tractor before you climb into the cab. 

 It is essential that all farming machinery and attachments have adequate lighting. The Health and Safety Authority state that agricultural vehicles must be fitted with lights and reflectors in good working condition at all times Tractors should be fitted with two head lamps, two side lamps, two rear lamps, two reflectors, brake lights and number plate lights.   Since 2017, all tractors bar those used in vintage rallies, must be fitted with flashing amber beacons when in use in use.  At the Dandy’s Derrynoose, we have an excellent selection of tractor and trailer lights including amber beacon lights that are handy to affix to the tractor and all for a reasonable cost.  We will have you lit up like a Christmas tree in no time and if like all Christmas trees lights, the odd bulb blows, just drive on in and we will get you sorted. 

 The advice on lighting for trailers is quite comprehensive. They must have side lamps, rear lamps, indicators, stop lamps and number plate lighting.   To make life easier (and isn’t that always a good thing) we stock wireless trailer lights.  With a magnetic or bolt on mount and these can be placed on the trailer permanently.   This light meets the IP56 protection standards. The indication lights are often the ones that can be problematic for the farmer or driver but can cause huge frustration and or worse to those driving behind you. Take a few moments to double check that your lights are in working order before moving off each day.  This may sound excessively cautious, but this simple act could be the difference between life and death, especially when there are impatient motorists.   

If you use a tractor on a public road, it must be licenced, taxed and insured. A category W licence is required to drive a tractor – with or without a trailer. If travelling with a front loader and pallet forks attached, the Road Safety Authority recommends that “forks or other front mounted handling attachments should be faced down as it is considered a dangerous projection causing risks of injury to other road users”.   While tipping round the farm, anyone who is 13yrs or over can, with   permission and supervision, drive a tractor engaged in agricultural activities.  They need to be 16 and have passed a driving course to take the tractor on to a public road.  How fast you can go on a public road is a bone of contention for most farmers.  Most tractors may travel at up to 25mph according to the Road authority. However more modern tractors built to higher specifications are permitted to be driven at up to 40 mph. These are not speeds that make you popular with other motorists.  The police recommend that you pull over in a safe layby or similar when you have more than six vehicles behind you.  In 2009, a Mayo farmer was fined and subsequently banned for causing a tractor jam of over 20 cars, while he drove home from a mart in Donegal at 15mph.  This was an extreme case but shows that there is a level of intolerance for the slow farming life as delivery vans on time restraints and the general public don’t want to slow down for the average tractor. Driving your tractor on a public road requires a high level of attention and care. We have all been overtaken by some impatient driver taking a chance with his life and yours rather than waiting for a safe place for you to allow passing. Like most farming issues, it requires balance, good humour and common sense.

As the days get longer and the darker evenings stretch before us, take a few minutes to check that all your tractor lights are in good working order and if you have any problem, take a wee dander down to the yard, not holding up too many frustrated drivers on the way, and we will light up your tractor world.