Lighting for agricultural machine - mandatory lamps for the farm tractor

Common uses of farm tractor

A tractor is an agricultural machine, commonly used on farms. We can attach a trailer, plough, spraying machine, a muck spreader or seeder to this vehicle. Therefore, the most common function of a tractor is the ability to attach a machine that does not have its own drive or engine to tackle agricultural, forestry, gardening or earthwork tasks. Of course, tractors are also used in urban space - e.g. for municipal services in cities. Therefore, we can meet him on public roads.

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure, which refers to the equipment and technical conditions of vehicles participating in road traffic, farm tractors must have efficient and full external lighting. The machine is then perfectly visible on the road, increasing the safety of other participants of the traffic and the tractor driver. The vehicle must therefore be equipped with the necessary lighting, and any of its lamps must not be defective, even those that are not turned on.

What lamps should an agricultural machine be equipped with?

The basic lighting that every agricultural tractor must have, without exception, is:

• dipped headlights for daytime - if the agricultural machine exceeds the speed of 10 km/h,

• stop lamp - for the purpose of signalling the intention to stop or reduce the speed of the tractor;

• front and rear direction indicator lamps,

• front and rear running lights,

• hazard warning lights,

• front and back reflectors,

• license plate lamp,

• end outline marker lamps - if the agricultural machine is over 2.1 m wide,

• side reflectors - if the tractor is over 6.5 meters in length.

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Additional lamps for the tractor and the rules for their use

Of course, it is possible to attach additional lighting to the tractor. Farmers very often use specific types of lamps that make the use of the machine much easier and more comfortable. Additional lamps for the tractor are:

• orange flashing light,

• back up lamps,

• rear fog lights,

• searchlights,

• lighting around the agricultural machine.

The rear fog lamps must be used  in accordance with the rules set out in the Highway Code. The regulations regarding the use of this type of lighting in the tractor are identical to the standards for passenger cars. The farmer can add this type of lamp to the back up lamps. Many agricultural machines are equipped with lighting called searchlights. These lamps allow you to direct the light in different directions and therefore it easier for farmers to perform activities within the vehicle - e.g. during replacing an accessory in an agricultural machine. Very often lamps for the tractor are supplemented with lamps for lighting the area around the vehicle. These lamps allow you to work at night. Orange flashing lights are definitely most often mounted on the top of tractors. The purpose of the roof light is to warn people, machines or vehicles in the vicinity of the tractor against possible danger. However, it should be noted that moving on public roads with a tractor equipped with the flashing light on is possible only in specific situations - during the implementation of renovation, modernization or cleaning works on the road. The exception to this rule is the transport of unusual loads or the specific construction of the tractor, which may pose some danger on the road. Except for the flashing light, searchlights should not be used on public roads.