BS EN 706:1996+A1:2009

What is BS EN 706 - Safety of vine shoot tipping machines about? 

BS EN 706 is a standard that covers the safety of vine shoot tipping machines, ensuring operational safety and performance in agricultural applications. 

BS EN 706 specifies safety requirements and their verification for design and construction of self-propelled, mounted or semi-mounted vine shoot tipping machines. These mobile machines are used for trimming vineyards and other fruit trees that grow in the same way (trellising plants) and similar applications. 

Cutting tools for vine shoot tipping machines included in BS EN 706 are: 

• High-speed rotative blades (which cut by the impact) 
• Rotative blade and counter blade (which cut by shearing) 
• Reciprocating cutting bar (which cuts by shearing) 

Note: BS EN 706 does not cover - 

• Tipping machines for free-standing fruit bushes 
• Walk-behind pedestrian-controlled machines 
• Machines intended to be mounted on walk-behind pedestrian controlled machines 
• Hand-held machines 
• General hazards related to mobility 
• The location and the operation of the controls 
• Adaptability and the setting up of mounted machines on tractors or other vehicles 
• Environmental aspects 
• Machines manufactured before the date of its publication 

Who is BS EN 706 - Safety of vine shoot tipping machines for? 

BS EN 706 on safety of vine shoot tipping machines applies to: 

• Manufacturers of vine shoot tipping machines 
• Dealers and importers of vine shoot tipping machines 
• Testing houses for vine shoot tipping machines 
• Safety assurance services 
• Regulatory bodies 

Why should you use BS EN 706 - Safety of vine shoot tipping machines? 

Vine shoot tipping machines are mobile machines that are used for trimming vineyards and other fruit trees that grow in the same way and similar applications. Ensuring the safety of vine shoot tipping machines enables their operability in agricultural applications. 

BS EN 706 provides users guidance on the methods for the elimination or reduction of risks which need specific requirements for vine shoot tipping machines. 

BS EN 706 provides users guidance on safety requirements, including protection whilst handling and storage, protection against moving power transmission parts, protection against unintentional contact with cutting tools, protection against ejection of vegetable waste, protection against breakage and more, ensuring the safety of machine and operators. 

BS EN 706 also provides a list of hazards and relevant clauses including mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, thermal hazards, hazards by noise, hazards by radiation and more, enabling users to identify the hazards associated with the operations. 

With obedience and compliance of BS EN 706, users can develop and assess vine shoot tipping machines, ensuring risk reduction and development of safety protocols for the safety, operability and longevity in agriculture applications. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 706:1996+A1:2009 supersedes BS EN 706:1997, which is now withdrawn.