S10 certification: concessional livestock loading

Queensland’s Livestock Loading Scheme (Scheme) has supported the livestock transport industry for over 30 years. The Scheme provides mass concessions to eligible heavy vehicles.

The Scheme has three main goals:

• to uphold animal welfare
• to ensure vehicle safety
• to facilitate road access.

This includes making sure participating vehicles do not harm Queensland’s roads and infrastructure.

The Scheme operates under the Queensland Class 3 Livestock Loading Exemption Notice which is authorised under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland).

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is responsible for compliance with the Scheme.

Review of the Scheme

In 2019, the department worked closely with key stakeholders to review the Scheme. The review confirmed the Scheme's purpose and found no major changes were needed. The main change from the review was switching from a blue modification plate to the current maroon Modification Plate – Livestock Loading S10. The plate was redesigned so all necessary fields are clear. This helps improve compliance with the Scheme.

Eligibility

Eligible vehicles for the Scheme include:

• rigid trucks
• rigid trucks towing a 5 or 6 axle dog trailer
• prime movers towing a semitrailer
• B-double combinations
• B-triple combinations
• road train combinations.

Livestock eligible for transportation under the Scheme are:

• cattle
• goats
• horses
• pigs
• sheep.

S10 Certification

To participate in the Scheme, a vehicle must be certified by a Queensland Approved Person who must follow the S10 Concessional Livestock Loading – Vehicle Rating Code. In following the S10 Code, the Approved Person is required to complete the relevant vehicle checklist and calculate the vehicle's maximum laden masses. These masses are inscribed on a maroon modification plate which is then attached to the vehicle.

To meet the Scheme’s objectives of vehicle safety and animal welfare, the maximum laden masses under the S10 certification are often set below the vehicle’s maximum rated capacity.

Small differences in vehicle measurements can result in the wrong mass limits being written on the maroon plate. This can lead to unsafe overloading. This is why it’s essential for the Approved Person to measure the vehicle correctly during certification. When measuring, make sure to subtract the area on the trailer taken up by structures like internal gates. This helps in accurately figuring out the internal deck space.

Prior to weighing a vehicle as part of the certification process, the Approved Person should confirm that:

• the vehicle is complete. This involves checking with the vehicle owner that all components (such as bullbars, spare tyres, fuel tanks, water tanks and mudguards) that are planned to be affixed to the vehicle have been affixed
• any fuel or water tanks are full
• any effluent tanks are empty.

Example Certification

To explain the vehicle certification process under the S10 Code, here’s an example.

Please note, this is an example only. Every vehicle must be measured and certified by an Approved Person to join the Scheme.

In this example, the trailer has an internal deck width of 2.35m and is intended for transporting cattle. Under the S10 Code, cattle are given a simulated livestock weight of 420kg per animal. The remainder of the measurements of the trailer are as shown:

 

Calculating the total deck space

The total deck space is calculated by multiplying the internal length of the trailer by its internal width and the number of decks. In the example, the calculation is 12.25m x 2.35m x 2, resulting in a total deck space of 57.58m².

Calculating the imposed load

The imposed load (M), which is the mass of livestock load imposed on the vehicle, is determined by multiplying the simulated livestock weight by the total deck space. In this example, the imposed load is 420kg x 57.58 m² = 24.18t.

Calculating weight distribution

To calculate the weight distribution of the trailer, the forward axle mass and the rearward axle mass must be determined using the following formulas:

• Forward axle mass (or king pin) mass (FAM) = (D/WB) x M
• Rearward axle mass (RAM) = ((WB-D)/WB) x M

Therefore, in this example, the FAM is calculated as follows:

• (3.563m ÷ 8.733m) x 24.18t = 9.87t.

Similarly, the RAM is calculated as:

• (8.733m - 3.563m) ÷ 8.733m x 24.18t = 14.31t.

Tare mass

The tare mass for the S10 certification might differ from what the manufacturer specifies. This is because it includes the weight of all added components, like ice packs, bullbars, and spare tyres. Any fuel and water tanks must be full and any effluent tanks must be empty.

In this example:

• the king pin (forward axle) tare mass is 3.48t
• the triaxle group (rearward axle) tare mass is 8.36t

Calculating the king pin and rear axle laden masses

To calculate the king pin laden mass, add the FAM and the kingpin tare mass together. In this example, the king pin laden mass would be 9.87t + 3.48t = 13.35t.

To calculate the rear axle laden mass, add the RAM and the rear axle tare mass together. In this example, the rear axle laden mass would be 14.31t + 8.36t = 22.67t.

The calculated laden masses, which cannot be exceeded, are required to be inscribed on the maroon plate by the Approved Person and then affixed to the vehicle.

Livestock Transport Operators

When participating in the Scheme, livestock transport operators are reminded that:

• the masses recorded on the maroon plate must not be exceeded
• manufacturers ratings for all components must not be exceeded
• no other freight can be carried at the same time as livestock
• livestock must fill the lower deck completely before livestock are carried in the upper deck
• when livestock doesn't completely fill a deck, secure them with full-width barriers. This keeps the vehicle stable while in motion
• the number of decks used to transport livestock must not exceed:
  • 2 decks for cattle or horses
  • 3 decks for pigs
  • 4 decks for sheep or goats.

Operators should refer to the Livestock Loading Operator’s Guide for further information.