With marts up and running full steam ahead again, it is important to make sure your livestock trailer is up to standard before taking to the road.
Livestock trailers will be getting busy as farmers buy and sell stock, but after sitting around empty for the last few months, giving them some TLC may be required before hauling.
They are often one of the most neglected pieces of machinery in the yard, but whether it is a small single animal box, or a large tractor trailer unit, standards need to be met to ensure safety on the roads.
Maintenance
One of the first things that should be done without fail before taking to the road is checking your tyres for depth, pressure and structure, and checking to see if all lights are working properly.
The breakaway cable is a crucial piece of equipment on the trailer for road users safety, as it applies the brakes in the event of the trailer becoming uncoupled.
If a breakaway cable is on the trailer, make sure it can move freely and double check that it is connected to the brake fork.
Make sure to change the cable if it is seized or damaged. These can be got relatively cheaply, with prices starting in or around €10.
A breakaway cable would be pretty useless if the brakes are not functioning, so begin by checking the brake cables to ensure they are not worn or seized.
These are a relatively cheap and easy fix if they are.
Worn brake shoes will also need replacing before the mart season.
If you are not too mechanically minded, bring the trailer to a professional to change these as you may cause more damage than you solve, as well as making the trailer unsafe.
The damper also needs to be inspected when brakes are being replaced. If it can be compressed by hand it will need replacing or else the trailer will jolt when the brakes are hit.
The next thing that should be done before pulling a load is checking the hitch for any wear to the hitch itself or the bolts which attach it to the trailer chassis.
Many trailers these days have an a built-in wear indicator which the head of the hitch should not be able to lift beyond.
If the hitch is lifting beyond this point or there is excessive play when hooked up to the tow point, it should be replaced with the same rated type.
Just like a car, the wheel bearings may also need replacing if there is excessive play or roughness.
The suspension should also be inspected for broken springs, loose U-bolts, worn bump stops, or play in the bushings.
Ramps may need some maintenance if their springs are stretched or or the bushings are worn.
While doing this make sure the jockey wheel is working properly and replace if necessary.
Finally, make sure you only tow the legal limit your set-up allows to ensure you and everyone else on the road is safe.
