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spireian  
#1 Posted : 25 February 2010 20:22:25(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
spireian

I have been asked a question regarding tyre tread depth on mowing machinery used for cutting grass verges. This machinery is the ride on type used to mow estates and grass verges at the side of the highway etc. These mowers do travel on the road but only travel at a top speed of aprox 15-20miles per hour. The person is concerned that people driving the machines may be prosecuted if tyres have to be the same as norma lcar tyres as they are not!!!
Steve Sedgwick  
#2 Posted : 25 February 2010 20:38:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve Sedgwick

Current tread depth legislation requires that car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central ¾ of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre.

The lawnmower needs an MOT and road tax to go on the road. I expect tyre tread depth will be the same

Steve
spireian  
#3 Posted : 25 February 2010 20:48:10(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
spireian

so the mowers need an mot after 3 years? mind they are usually replaced before that. so tyre tread will be the same as car tyres?
daviep  
#4 Posted : 26 February 2010 09:03:12(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
daviep

Ride on mowers do not come under the Construction and Use Regs as they are deemed as plant and therefore are not required to have an MOT or comply with the tread depth requirements. The tread depth requirement for vehicles is to ensure braking capability in wet conditions when travelling at speed, which ride on mowers don't, so yes they need some grip from the tyres but not to the extent of motor vehicles hence they are fitted with 'grass tyres' designed to grip on grass whilst they are cutting.
Alan Haynes  
#5 Posted : 26 February 2010 12:00:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Alan Haynes

Too many confusing/conflicting answers here.

And a trawl of the web indicates the need for tax, number plates, insurance, driving license, MOT [if over 3] and street legal tyres - BUT NOT IT SEEMS IN ALL CASES

The easy solution - ask at your local police station
Safety Smurf  
#6 Posted : 26 February 2010 12:11:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

If memory serves me correctly the deciding factor is how often and for how far it travels on the public highway.

And the first people to pull you up on that will be the IR if you're running them on red diesel!

The same rules should apply to verge mowing as to agricultural machinery
ptaylor14  
#7 Posted : 26 February 2010 15:23:35(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ptaylor14

Steve Sedgwick wrote:
Current tread depth legislation requires that car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central ¾ of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre.

The lawnmower needs an MOT and road tax to go on the road. I expect tyre tread depth will be the same

Steve


This is correct
Safety Smurf  
#8 Posted : 26 February 2010 15:33:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

I maybe wrong but I've never seen a tax disc on dumper truck, tele-handler, 360, etc and according to this arguement I should have done.
Safety Smurf  
#9 Posted : 26 February 2010 15:36:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

I will add that I have had to tax and MOT one forklift in the past because it was frequently necessary for it to travel some distance on public highways.
Jeni D  
#10 Posted : 26 February 2010 16:32:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jeni D

Hi

It may be worth looking at the information on the BAGMA website regarding the vehicle health scheme.

http://www.bagma.com/veh..._health_check_scheme.htm

In there code of practice (available as a free download) it states

"Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances
are exempt from the normal MOT or plating and testing requirement applied to
many other types of road vehicles."

Hope this helps

Jeni
MEden380  
#11 Posted : 01 March 2010 10:11:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MEden380

Daviep is correct
Ride on mowers are classed as plant and do not require an MOT.
They reqiure a tax disc if driven on the public high way, but this is issued free of charge.
As far as tread on the tyes, PUWER would come in to play if you are running then on bald tyres, The work equipment has to be fit for purpose and maintained according to the manufacturers recomendations.
Bald tyres, not well maintained, breech of regulations
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