Front attachment dimension: What you should consider

Anyone driving a tractor on the roads in Germany must observe a number of rules. In particular, the permissible dimensions for tractors must be observed: In particular, the front boom dimension should be observed when using a public road with your tractor. You can find out what is behind the front boom dimension and what you should pay attention to here.

What is the front attachment dimension?

The front attachment dimension is defined as the distance between the steering wheel in the middle of the adjustment range and the end of the front attachment, e.g. a front loader.

What is the maximum front attachment dimension?

If the distance between the end of the front attachment and the driver is too great, accidents can quickly occur due to restricted visibility. At junctions or driveways in particular, too long a front boom dimension means that other road users cannot be seen in time. For this reason, a maximum front boom dimension of 3.5 m is permitted in Germany if no suitable compensatory measures are in place.

Is it possible to exceed the front attachment dimension?

On some tractors, even a front loader can exceed the prescribed mounting dimension of 3.5 m. However, this does not mean that this combination may no longer be driven on roads. Instead, the driver must take measures to compensate for his restricted visibility. This can be done by an accompanying person acting as a guide - but as this method is cumbersome and possibly even dangerous in practice, many farmers resort to camera monitor systems. When purchasing such a device, you should look for the “DLG-approved” seal to ensure that the necessary requirements are met.

How does the front attachment dimension influence the handling?

It is not only for legal reasons that you need to be aware of the size of your front loader in road traffic - there are also special features from the driver's perspective. In addition to a poorer view of other road users or obstacles from the front, the driving characteristics of the machine may also be altered. A front loader or other front-mounted implement changes the weight distribution and the tractor's center of gravity. The heavier and longer the front loader and implement are, the more the center of gravity shifts. This can lead to reduced stability and, in the worst cases, to the tractor tipping over, e.g. when cornering at speed. Caution should therefore be exercised, especially with small tractors or tractors with articulated steering. The displaced weight must also be taken into account when working on slopes or on muddy and uneven surfaces.

Front loader up or down when driving on the road?

When it comes to the front attachment dimension in road traffic, the front loader is often mentioned. In road traffic, however, there is not only the question of the length of the front loader, but also the position in which it should be when driving. There are actually several options here. The optimum position for stability and handling is to drive with the bucket in the lower position, especially with heavy implements or loads on the front loader. However, in this position, dangerous parts (e.g. sharp bucket edges) must be secured. This can be done with edge protection and warning signs, for example.

However, you don't always have covers and warning signs with you. In this case, many farmers resort to the second option: they drive the front loader in the upper position. This is because, according to German law, things that are at least two meters above the road are no longer considered a road hazard and therefore do not need to be secured or marked. However, the high position of a front loader can have a negative impact on the stability of a tractor, especially if the front loader is heavily loaded.