prEN 17968

Rough-terrain variable-reach tractors — Safety requirements and verification for permanently mounted equipment

Scope

This document specifies the safety requirements relevant to load-handling functions for rough-
terrain variable reach tractors (RTVR tractors). This includes the safety requirements for their
permanently mounted equipment (PME).
Fork arms are considered to be part of the PME. RTVR tractors can also be equipped with a variety of
attachments (e.g. bale spikes, mowers, sweepers).
This document deals with all the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to the
operation of the PME of RTVR tractors when they are used as intended and under conditions of
misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex A).
This document does not apply to:
— rough-terrain variable-reach trucks covered by EN 1459-1:2024;
— slewing rough-terrain variable-reach trucks covered by EN 1459 2:2015+A1:2018;
— industrial variable reach trucks covered by EN ISO 3691 2:2016;
— lorry-mounted variable-reach trucks covered by ISO 20297 1:2017;
— variable-reach trucks fitted with tilting or elevating operator position;
— mobile cranes covered by EN 13000:2010+A1:2014;
— machines designed primarily for earth moving, even if their buckets and blades are replaced
with forks (see EN 474 series);
— trucks designed primarily with variable length load suspension elements (e.g. chain, ropes)
from which the load may swing freely in all directions;
— trucks designed primarily for container handling;
— trucks on tracks;
— trucks with articulated chassis;
— front loaders covered by EN 12525:2000+A2:2010;
— attachments.
Determination and declaration of sound power level is not addressed by this document.
This document does not cover sales literature.
This document does not address hazards linked to:
— operation of the RTVR tractor from a position other than the normal operating position or
the remote control;
— hybrid power systems;
— gas power systems;
— gasoline engine systems;
— battery power systems.
This document does not address hazards which may occur:
a) when handling suspended loads which may swing freely (additional requirements are given
in EN 1459 4:2024);
b) when using RTVR tractors on public roads;
c) when operating in potentially explosive atmospheres (additional requirements are given in
EN 1755:2015);
d) when operating underground;
e) when towing trailers;
f) when fitted with a personnel work platform (additional requirements are given in EN 1459-
3:2015 and EN 1459 9:2021);
g) when using system capable of controlling the speed of the RTVR tractor as set by the
operator (cruise-control).
This document does not provide a method of calculation for fatigue and strength of material.
This document is not applicable to RTVR tractors manufactured before the date of its publication