ISO 4254-5:2018

Overview

ISO 4254-5:2018 - "Agricultural machinery - Safety - Part 5: Power-driven soil-working machines" is a Type-C ISO standard that specifies safety requirements, verification methods, and manufacturer information for mounted, semi‑mounted and trailed power‑driven soil‑working machines. Intended to be used together with ISO 4254‑1, it focuses on hazards, protective measures and safe‑use information for machines designed and built according to this document (third edition, 2018).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  Applies to power‑driven soil‑working machines (cutting, chopping or stirring components that rotate or oscillate). It excludes spading machines, machines designed to work between plants with a retractable device, pre‑2018 manufactured machines, environmental hazards, and most power‑transmission moving‑part hazards (except strength requirements for guards).
• Risk reduction and design principles
  Requires compliance with ISO 4254‑1 and ISO 12100 for general risk assessment and residual hazards. Where ISO 4254‑5 differs from ISO 4254‑1, ISO 4254‑5 takes precedence for machines built to this standard.
• Protection against contact and thrown objects
  Detailed guarding requirements: imperforate top guards covering tool paths, continuous barriers around accessible zones, and side/rear guards with specified clearances. Manufacturers must prevent inadvertent access to powered tools and contain thrown objects.
• Strength and verification of guards
  Guards/top covers must resist a vertical downward load of 1 200 N. Horizontal load verification: 600 N for machines with tools rotating about a horizontal axis when used with tractors ≤37 kW; 1 000 N for other machines. Verification methods reference ISO 4254‑1.
• Noise reduction
  Noise reduction is a specified safety requirement; the gearbox is identified as the main noise source (tractor/soil interaction noise is outside manufacturer control).
• Information for use
  Operators’ manual and safety/instructional signage requirements, including information on residual risks and fitting of alternative guards or attachments.

Practical applications and users

ISO 4254‑5:2018 is essential for:

• Machine manufacturers designing and certifying mounted, semi‑mounted or trailed soil‑working implements (rotary tillers, rotavators, power harrows, etc.).
• Design engineers performing risk assessments and specifying guarding, strength and noise controls.
• Regulators, health & safety bodies, and market surveillance verifying compliance.
• Large and small farm operators, maintenance teams and service providers who need authoritative guidance on safe operation, guarding installation and residual risk information.

Related standards

• ISO 4254‑1:2013 - General requirements for agricultural machinery safety (to be used together with ISO 4254‑5).
• ISO 12100 - Safety of machinery - General principles for design: risk assessment and risk reduction.
• ISO 4254 series - other parts covering broader agricultural machinery safety topics.

Keywords: ISO 4254-5:2018, agricultural machinery safety, power-driven soil-working machines, guarding requirements, noise reduction, ISO 4254-1, ISO 12100, operator's manual, machine safety.