Proposal as approved by the GRRF to introduce amendments on requirements for movable couplings, increased range of application of remote controls to couplings similar to C50-X and G50-X, possible increase of characteristic values of standard couplings and to include of further requirements on the mounting of couplings.

Proposal draft by the informal group on UN Regulation No. 55 to update this regulation with respect to:
a) Requirements on remote indication;
b) Availability of information on coupling fixing points for A50X couplings;
c) On lateral strength of drawbars; and
d) a new class definition for fully automatic drawbar couplings.

Status of the various items under discussion for the updating of UN R55 on mechanical couplings.

Observations on type-approval and “in-use” requirements under UN R55 and proposal to develop a new Annex that would provide a more coherent approach to evaluating/limiting acceptable in-use stress loads than in the current regulation.

Copy of the latest working draft of UN R55 containing amendments to introduce provisions for agricultural vehicle couplings as of 2 June 2014 (document TFAC-04-11).

The expert group on UN R55 submitted document GRRF/2014/14 to update the requirements for mechanical couplings, including a proposal to replace the references to IS0 7641:1983 with ISO 7641:2012. In response to issues raised within GRRF, the experts prepared a new proposal (document GRRF/2014/28). This document would supplement the proposal by providing additional information on the differences between the 1983 and 2012 versions of ISO 7641.

Working draft prepared by the Task Force on Agricultural Couplings pursuant to the groups 4th session in February 2014.

The expert group on UN R55 submitted document GRRF/2014/14 to update the requirements for mechanical couplings, including a proposal to replace the references to IS0 7641:1983 with ISO 7641:2012. In response to issues raised within GRRF, the experts prepared a new proposal (document GRRF/2014/28). This document would supplement the proposal by providing additional information on the differences between the 1983 and 2012 versions of ISO 7641.

Text prepared by the informal group of experts on Regulation No. 55 to introduce amendments on requirements for movable couplings, increased range of application of remote controls to couplings similar to C50-X and G50-X, possible increase of characteristic values of standard couplings and to include of further requirements on the mounting of couplings.

Status of topics being discussed within the Task Force on Agricultural Couplings (TFAC).

Requirement of a brake away cable also for drawbar-couplings

E-mail correspondence with regard to the application of provisions in New Zealand standard NZS5446:2007 for tyre scuffing forces to the approval of drawbars for lateral forces under UN R55.

Presentation opposing static testing of mechanical couplings for agricultural tractors.

Comments on a Swedish proposal to require an indicator within the operator’s field of vision to confirm whether safety latches are engaged and the system fully locked (or not).

Diagram to clarify the clearance of the drawbar coupling in Annex 7 of the regulation (Action Item 12 of the informal group).

Recommendations on test conditions for drawbars and couplings, including hook and pin couplings.

Review of in-use requirements related to towable mass and coupling equipment towards development of an appropriate evaluation procedure for use at the time of type approval.

Estimation of test force F times distance, L, from drawbar eye to turning center, i.e. F*L on one axle, two axles, and three axles.

Proposal to require information on the maximum weight for a towing vehicle for declaration on the type-approval plate. This proposal responds to the discussion on a 32-ton weight limit which is an EU regional limit not acceptable across all stakeholders. Sweden proposes to satisfy the European interest through this informational requirement without instituting a blanket weight restriction.

Remote indicators confirm the status of a truck-trailer coupling. The intention of this proposal is to open the definition of ‘remote indicators’ to some systems currently on the market where the remote indication is not in the vehicle cab but on the side of the vehicle (on the chassis) close to the remote control.

Comments for discussion concerning the draft Supplement 4 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 as submitted for the February GRRF session (document GRRF/2014/14), proposing clarifications, in particular to align the text with ISO 7641:2012.

Response to the proposal (in document R55-05-12) to require more information from manufacturers on towbar fixing points in order to facilitate the work of technical services and approval authorities.

Proposal to modify performance calculations and limits under UN R55. Currently UN R55 prohibits a vehicle combination with required performance values Dreq, Dc-req, Vreq and Sreq where Dc-cert ≤ Dc-req ≤ Dcert and Vreq ≤ Vcert. However, a requirement combination such as Vreq = 0.1* Vcert and Dc-req ≤ Dcert +0.1*( Dcert – Dc-cert) better reflects the real-world situation commonly found in combinations comprising a rigid truck, converter dolly, and semi-trailer.

E-mail exchange between the R55 informal group chair and the Lohr group concerning drawbar and fifth wheel designs.

Action item list with the status of items involved in the updating of the UN Regulation on mechanical couplings.

Special group meeting to develop proposals for the definition of specific values to be used in the formulas to evaluate the performance of agricultural vehicle towing hitches and related devices under UN R55.