Why a new braking system regulation could force manufacturers to raise their game
The regulation is expected to come into effect in 2008 and could ensure that the braking systems used on agricultural and forestry vehicles are tough enough to handle the most severe conditions. Manufacturers could be obliged to demonstrate that all new vehicles, sold, registered or put into service in the EU meet the regulation’s stringent conditions.
For the purposes of this regulation, braking system is taken to mean the following functions:
• Service braking system
• Secondary braking system
• Parking braking system
All vehicles and trailers with braking systems which require the use of stored energy provided by hydraulic fluid under pressure could have to be equipped with energy storage devices (energy accumulators). What’s more, the towing vehicle would be required to have a warning device alerting the driver to a low level of stored energy in the towed vehicle.
At Danfoss, we believe that this regulation confirms the current trend in the Mobile Hydraulic industry towards electronic transmitters and away from mechanical. Put simply, the more controls a system has, the more sensors are required. As such, we are well-equipped to meet customers’ changing needs thanks to our MBS 1250 and 1350 cartridge pressure sensors.
This is an important regulation with possible wide-ranging implications, particularly for larger manufacturers of agricultural machinery.
By Luca Spasaro, Key Account Manager