The Axema manufacturers’ union publishes an information sheet to see more clearly on the compulsory transition to double-line systems on January 1, 2025. With less than 6 months to go before the deadline, there are gray areas, particularly on approval adaptations still remain.
It will soon no longer be possible to say “we’ll see later”… January 1, 2025, which will see the regulations on agricultural braking evolve to meet European requirements, is fast approaching. One thing is certain: it will be prohibited to place on the market and register new trailed vehicles and tractors equipped with a single hydraulic braking line. “ Only dual line connections, hydraulic or pneumatic, will be permitted », Warns Axema, the builders’ union.
The towed vehicles concerned are agricultural trailers (REA), agricultural semi-trailers (SREA) and towed agricultural machines or instruments (MIAR). Important clarification: the application of the regulation is not retroactive, that is to say that used vehicles or new vehicles registered before January 1, 2025 are not affected. However, it is more than ever advisable to have all the papers with you in case of an inspection!
Serious legal consequences
“Users will need to ensure the compatibility of their equipment when purchasing new machines,” the union also warns. Double and single line braking systems are in fact not compatible with each other. There are many technical solutions but they are not legally regulated. Axema is trying to have these devices approved but “the ministry did not wish to follow up”.
Warning: unrecognized systems or modifications made by farmers themselves can lead to serious consequences. “They can be extremely dangerous on the road and will result in the liability of the user in the event of an accident », warns Axema.
A wave of registrations by the end of the year?
So what should you choose between double hydraulic or pneumatic lines (knowing that they are not compatible with each other…)? “The air braking solution is widely adopted and its technology is well established, with a notable presence on equipment approved at 40 km/h. The hydraulic variant is also available. The choice of users will mainly depend on the fleet in service and the typologies of use. : individual, Cuma or entrepreneurs”, summarizes the union.
Another gray area remains: “It is not yet clear whether intelligent systems managing a double or single hydraulic connection on the same connectors will be authorized on new tractors after 2024. This regulatory uncertainty must be clarified at European level before the end of 2024,” says Axema.
This regulation also impacts manufacturers and dealers, who are forced to register as many non-compliant vehicles as possible in stock before the end of the year, otherwise you will have to adapt them later. “We are alerting dealers: complete the registration by the end of the year! » insists Rolland, the French leader in agricultural dumpsters.
“No more braking too violently”
An “end of series” device will however tolerate (for manufacturers who request it) a small quota of vehicles registered out of time in the following proportions: 20 vehicles of the same type or 10% of the volume of vehicles of the same type marketed over the previous 2 years. “This will apply to trailed vehicles. We are awaiting a response from the French authorities for tractors,” explains the union.
Behind the puzzle, the objective of these standards is to increase road safety. “No more braking too violently which can lead to a loss of control, the braking power adapts to the load,” emphasizes Rolland. Dual line braking helps reduce stopping distances, thereby reducing the risk of collision with other vehicles, pedestrians or obstacles. It also allows the driver to better control the towed unit., especially in emergency situations or on slippery surfaces, thus avoiding accidents. Real safety in the event of a hitch breakage is also integrated by the presence of an energy reserve.”
