The DLG Test Center is the German OECD test centre and tests agricultural and forestry tractors and their components according to the requirements of the OECD Tractor Codes. We currently cooperate with 30 OECD inspection agencies in Europe, Asia and the US, which ensure compliance with OECD standards.
The Tractor Codes of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with headquarters in Paris) represent a globally valid industry standard outside of ISO standardisation and therefore support the expansion of world trade, a free movement of goods and capital and a harmonisation of product standards.
The OECD Tractor Codes comply with the type-approval requirements of the European Union and are recognised in the type-approval procedure.
The approval procedure is handled by the OECD Coordinating Centre. OECD permits are recognised in 27 countries, including 5 non-OECD member states (Brazil, China, India, Russian Federation and Serbia).
Code 2 – Performance test of agricultural and forestry tractors
- Engine power and fuel consumption (measured at the PTO)
- Tractive effort and fuel consumption (measured with a tractive force measuring wagon on a concrete test track;
- Hydraulic power (at the hydraulic couplings)
- Hydraulic lifting force (measured at the lower link ends and on a coupled frame)
In addition, the following tests are optionally possible in Code 2:
- Braking power
- Turning area and turning circle
- Cold starting behaviour
- Determination of the centre of gravity
- Drive-by noise
- Waterproof test
- Noise measurement at the driver's seat (Code 5)
Code 3 – Strength test of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for agricultural and forestry tractors (dynamic test)
- Dynamic strength test of the roll bar or cab for tractors with a kerb weight up to ≤ 6,000 kg
Code 4 – Strength test of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for agricultural and forestry tractors (static test)
- Static strength test of the roll bar or cab for tractors with a kerb weight from ≥ 600 kg and a track width of ≥ 1,150 mm.
Optionally with testing of the seat belt anchorages
Code 5 – Noise measurement at the driver's seat
- Measurement of the noise level at the driver's ear
Optionally together with approval according to Code 2
Two optional test methods are applicable for Code 5 noise measurements:
- Testing under load
When testing under load, a tensile force is applied to the tractor with the aid of a tensile force measuring wagon.
The maximum sound levels in each forward gear and in the gears corresponding to the engine speed closest to a driving speed of 7.5 km/h are measured.. - No-load testing
The no-load test is performed without applying a tensile force.
The maximum sound levels in the gears corresponding to the engine speed closest to a driving speed of 7.5 km/h are carried out.
In addition, the sound level at maximum driving speed is determined.
Code 6 – Strength test of front-mounted roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for narrow-track agricultural and forestry tractors
- Static strength test of the front-mounted roll bar for narrow-track tractors with a kerb weight from ≥ 400 kg to ≤ 3,500 kg, a track width of ≤ 1,150 mm and a ground clearance of up to ≤ 600 mm.
- Optionally with testing of the seat belt anchorages
Code 7 – Strength test of rear mounted roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for narrow-track agricultural and forestry tractors
- Static strength test of the rear-mounted roll bar and cab for narrow-track tractors with a kerb weight from ≥ 400 kg to ≤ 3,500 kg, a track width of ≤ 1,150 mm and a ground clearance of up to ≤ 600 mm.
- Optionally with testing of the seat belt anchorages
Code 8 – Strength test of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for agricultural and forestry track-laying tractors
- Static strength test of the roll bar or cab for tracked tractors with a kerb weight from ≥ 600 kg and a ground clearance of up to ≤ 600 mm.
- Optionally with testing of the seat belt anchorages
Code 9 – Testing the strength of protective structures for telescopic loadersr
- Self-propelled all-terrain loaders with variable reach
- Dynamic strength test of the protective structures against falling objects (ISO 8083, FOPS) and
- Static strength test of the roll-over protective structures (OECD Code 4, ROPS)
- Optionally with testing of the seat belt anchorages
Code 10 – Falling object protective structures (FOPS) test
- Dynamic strength test of the protective roof for tractors