BS EN 12965:2019

What is BS EN 12965-Safety requirements and measures for PTO drive shafts about? 

BS EN 12965 is a standard that covers safety requirements and measures for PTO drive shafts and their guards in tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry which enables safety and protection in case of hazards. 

BS EN 12965 specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of power take-off (PTO) drive shafts and their guards linking a tractor or self-propelled machinery to the first fixed bearing of recipient machinery. 

BS EN 12965 describes methods for the elimination or reduction of risks that need specific requirements including such risks arising from misuse, reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. 

BS EN 12965 is applicable only to those PTO drive shafts and guards mechanically linked to the shaft by at least two bearings. When used with compatible guards for power take-off (PTO) of the tractor (master shield) or self-propelled machine and the power input connection (PIC) of the power receiving machine, the requirements for power take-off drive shafts are complete. 

BS EN 12965 specifies the type of information on safe working practices to be provided by the manufacturer. 

Note: BS EN 12965 does not apply to - 

• The guards totally covering, but not mechanically linked to, the PTO driveshaft 
• The mechanical characteristics of PTO drive shafts, overrun devices and torque limiters 
• General hazards which are dealt with in EN ISO 4254-1:2015 
• Coverage of environmental aspects 
• PTO drive shafts and their guards manufactured before publication of standard 

Who is BS EN 12965-Safety requirements and measures for PTO drive shafts for? 

BS EN 12965 on safety requirements and measures for PTO drive shafts is applicable to: 

• Manufacturers of agricultural vehicles and machinery 
• Dealers and importers of agricultural vehicles and machinery 
• Testing houses for agricultural vehicles and machinery 
• Accident evaluation and prevention agencies 

Why should you use BS EN 12965-Safety requirements and measures for PTO drive shafts? 

The Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft is a reliable way to transfer mechanical power from agricultural tractors to tools. Common injuries and risks associated with PTO shafts include amputations, lacerations, fractures and more, hence ensuring safety is important for operators and drivers. 

BS EN 12965 provides you extensive guidance on the safety requirements, measures and their validation for PTO drive shafts for the development of guards to prevent accidents related to them. 

BS EN 12965 also provides you guidance on the operator’s manual, marking, instructional signs, safety signs and hazards associated with power take-off shafts, which enable the development of preventive measures and protective systems, thereby reducing risks and ensuring operational safety. 

The guidance in BS EN 12965 enables you to develop robust guards for PTO drive shafts that prevent and limits accidents and ensure operational safety in the event of hazardous situations. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 12965:2019 supersedes BS EN 12965:2003+A2:2009, which is now withdrawn. 

Changes in BS EN 12965:2019 include - 

• Precision of the general requirements, addition of PTO type 4 
• Precision of the requirements for the restraining system 
• Addition and precision of the requirements for service and maintenance 
• Addition of requirements for the locking system, addition of an entanglement test 
• Addition of new pictogram required to highlight compatibility of guarding systems of PTO drive shaft with tractor and machinery