Agricultural vehicles
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Iwrite following the Sound 0ff by PC Lambert in CM 13-19 July relating to the use of high-speed farm tractors for haulage.
To write that "agricultural vehicles should not be allowed to compete with hire or reward hauliers" is very misleading. The situation is that agricultural vehicles are not allowed to compete with hire or reward hauliers. Constraints on the construction and use of agricultural tractors are well defined in the law and range through vehicle construction, excise, fuel usage, driver licensing and operator licensing regulations. If vehicle operators are working in applications which do not qualify for agricultural concession then it is clearly the role of the police to impose the law in specific instances. I do not see it as the role of the police to take the hauliers side per se, as PC Lambert seems keen to do.
To correct some specific points: 1. Maximum gross train weight for an agricultural motor vehicle is 24,390kg. In practice this equates to a 14,000kg payload, 2. Maximum speed for an agricultural motor vehicle is 40mph unless lower restrictions exist 3. The 15-mile limit for haulage of farmers' goods away from their holding was reimposed in 1991. To travel beyond 15 miles now requires a restricted operators licence.
It might interest you to know that the list price for a high-speed tractor such as the JCB Fastrac ranges from £45,000 to £60000. Thus, while farmers may enjoy some agricultural concessions (which ultimately help to keep the cost of the nation's food at a
low level) on running costs, the overall costs of running such vehicles are high if used purely for haulage.
Their clear benefit 'lies in their ability to work well off road as well as on for specific applications,
P F Hemingway
Service and product manager, JCR Landpower.