ISO 4254-11:2010

Overview

ISO 4254-11:2010 - "Agricultural machinery - Safety - Part 11: Pick-up balers" is a Type‑C safety standard that specifies safety requirements and verification for the design and construction of self‑propelled and trailed pick‑up balers, including combinations with wrappers. It is intended to be used together with ISO 4254‑1 (general requirements). The standard focuses on eliminating or reducing hazards arising from intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse by a single operator and defines required information the manufacturer must supply (operator’s manual, marking, safe working practices).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and exclusions: Covers all significant hazards for pick‑up balers but excludes pedestrian‑controlled round balers, environmental hazards, road safety, vibration, hazards related to power‑transmission moving parts, and maintenance/repairs by professional service personnel.
• Risk‑based design: Requires manufacturers to apply the risk assessment and reduction principles of ISO 12100 and to verify that relevant hazards are addressed.
• Pick‑up device guarding: Protection against inadvertent contact is required by machine parts, guards or barriers. Specific dimensional guidance is given (for example, barriers a minimum of 230 mm in front of the tine path and heights between 300 mm and 1 000 mm, and 150 mm from the sides at certain heights).
• Drawbar locking: Drawbars with transport and working positions must have a mechanical or hydraulic locking device that requires intentional action to change position; hydraulic locks must remain secure in case of circuit failure or meet ISO 4254‑1 provisions.
• Verification and testing: Clause structure includes verification methods for safety measures and compliance checks.
• Information for use: Specifies content and presentation requirements for the operator’s manual and marking (references include ISO 3600 and ISO 11684).
• Related technical requirements: Electromagnetic compatibility (ISO 14982) and safety distances (ISO 13857) are referenced.

Practical applications and who uses it

• Machinery manufacturers and designers use ISO 4254‑11 to design safe pick‑up balers and baler‑wrapper combinations that meet international safety expectations.
• Safety engineers and conformity assessors apply the standard for risk assessment, verification testing and CE‑type conformity documentation.
• Product managers and purchasers reference it to specify safety features in procurement and supply contracts.
• Regulators and standards bodies rely on it for harmonized safety requirements within agricultural machinery legislation and guidance.

Related standards

• ISO 4254‑1:2008 - General requirements (must be used together)
• ISO 12100 - Risk assessment and reduction principles
• ISO 13857, ISO 14982, ISO 3600, ISO 11684 - Normative references for guarding, EMC, operator manuals and safety signs

Keywords: ISO 4254-11:2010, pick-up balers, agricultural machinery safety, ISO 4254-1, operator's manual, guarding, drawbar locking, baler with wrapper.