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Tractor preparation
Tractor ballast
The tractor must have the appropriate amount of ballast for the length and weight of
the plough to ensure maximum safety during transport and turnover, and optimum
traction and balance in work. Weight should be added, as required to the front of the
tractor and, if required, to the rear wheels and/or tyres in the case of wheeled tractors.
The most cost effective method of increasing the weight at the rear is to add water
ballast. This is best done by a competent tyre fitter and should not exceed the amount
as specified by the tyre manufacturer, if in doubt, seek advice from your dealer.
It is important that the maximum axle loads are not exceeded, as this could cause
failure of the axles. This can be checked by placing the front and rear axles on a
weighbridge and matching the results to the maximum axle loadings that should be
stated in the tractor instruction manual.
It is also important to check that the tractor and implement combination does not
exceed the maximum permissible vehicle weight. This weight includes the tractor,
implement, ballast and the operator and any tools carried. This weight can be checked
by placing the tractor and implement combination on a weighbridge and matching the
result to the tractor instruction manual
Tyre pressures
The tyre pressures should be set equal on both front and rear axles in accordance with
the tractor instruction manual or tyre manufacturer‟s recommendations.
General tractor condition
To get the best from your equipment, the tractor must be maintained in accordance
with the tractor manufacturers recommendations.
Safe road transport
The tractor and implement should be driven on the public highway in accordance with
current regulations for such a combination. Also it is advisable that a flashing beacon
be fitted to the tractor to ensure that the tractor is visible to other road users.
