How agricultural workshops are changing — and what you should expect

If you’re running an agricultural workshop, you know that things are moving fast.

New tools and machinery, and new vehicles and techniques.

And with new regulations coming into play on a regular basis, it can be hard to keep up.

Here’s what you can expect from the years ahead — and how the right equipment can help you stay ahead of the curve:

 

Going green

While the EU recently announced that agricultural vehicles will be exempt from its carbon emission targets, the UK has a different goal in mind:

To reach net-zero emissions by 2050 — including the agriculture industry.

Since 1990, agricultural emissions have already been reduced by 12%, with some sectors (such as dairy) reducing their emissions and increasing their output at the same time.

More recently, the government has considered relaxing the rules about driving hydrogen-powered tractors on the road — which could open the doors for a new generation of clean technology powering our farms.

So what does that mean for workshops with agricultural vehicles?

It means big changes are coming — and you need to get ready.

We’ve already seen a shift towards greener tech and practices in agribusiness. And this shift is only likely to accelerate as the discussion around the environment grows (and those 2050 targets get closer!).

So for any agricultural workshop that wants to futureproof their business, you need to start getting on board now — taking steps to lower your emissions and switching to greener vehicles and tech.

 

Higher standards for modern vehicles

When tractors are used solely for agricultural purposes, they’re usually exempt from roadworthiness testing (as long as they’re not capable of exceeding 25mph).

But it’s not about how you use them or the speed you travel:

It’s about what they’re ‘capable of’.

As the technology behind agricultural vehicles becomes more advanced — and business owners demand more from their machinery — the latest and most powerful new models are more likely to come with that capability.

So if you’re planning to upgrade your fleet in the years ahead, it might come with an extra level of responsibility and red tape:

Modern tractors with considerable power will be tested under the DVSA’s goods vehicle testing regime, and they’ll need regular tests that measure to higher standards than slower agricultural vehicles.

That’s why more and more modern workshops are investing in their own in-house equipment — like with our dedicated Agricultural Mobile Column Lifts.

With regular servicing and check-ups in-house, you can be sure your vehicles are always up to date and ready to pass their mandatory tests.

 

Making safety a priority

Agricultural businesses are under heavy scrutiny when it comes to safety — in both the food they produce, and their vehicles on the road.

But with regulations changing frequently, it can be hard to keep up.

And it’s not always a tightening of restrictions that can cause issues:

Just last month, the DVSA agreed to loosen its rules around load guidance for agricultural vehicles, with the aim of making it more practical for farmers to transport their goods and materials.

Changes like these sound great for farmers and agribusiness, reducing their risk of being penalised and allowing them to maximise the loads they can legally carry on their vehicles.

But for some workshops, changes like these can make it tempting to push the limits:

With increased loads comes an increase in risk — and an increase in the strain placed on their braking systems.

To offset this risk, we’re seeing more workshops investing in modern testing equipment — like our purpose-built Agricultural Brake Tester.

With a built-in system for load simulation to accurately assess your brakes under different loads, you can more easily adapt to new regulations around carrying loads — with full confidence that your fleet can carry them safely.

 

Looking to futureproof your agribusiness?

Agriculture as an industry is changing fast. And that means your tech (and techniques) need to move along with it.

So if you’re upgrading your fleet or investing in a new workshop, the right modern equipment can help your business keep up — so you can stay safe, stay compliant, and stay ahead of the competition.

Check out our full range of agricultural vehicle equipment in our online shop — or talk to a workshop expert to find exactly what you need.