Stationary Type-Approval Test of the Tractor Pneumatic Braking System for Towed Vehicle Control

Agricultural tractors are equipped with air braking systems to supply and control the braking systems of towed vehicles. This system’s functional and operational characteristics significantly impact the compatibility and speed of the braking system of the tractor–trailer combination and are therefore checked during approval tests. This paper presents a test methodology and a description of the instrumentation and apparatus used to test the air braking systems of tractors under stationary conditions, as required by EU Regulation 2015/68. Sample test results of the trailer air supply system are included, such as checking the system for leaks, checking the pressure at the coupling heads, checking the compressor flow rate and air reservoir capacity, and checking the response time of the tractor control line. Approval authorities and tractor manufacturers can use the work results for quality control or product qualification tests.