Cotton Module Transport—NSW
All parties involved in the movement of a cotton module from farm to cotton gin are subject to “chain of responsibility”. Growers, transport operators and gins share equal responsibility for moving cotton modules in a safe and compliant manner.
Cotton growers and module transport operators must operate within the dimension requirements set out in the NSW RTA’s Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 1998.
This specifies the following maximum dimensions for chain bed trailers:
- Trailer Height: 4.70 metres
- Trailer Width: 2.85 metres
- Rear Overhang: 4.00 metres
- Overall Combination Length: 21.00 metres
Cotton modules carried on flatbed semi trailers do not have any size exemptions and modules must remain within the dimensions of the semi trailer. This includes the module bulging in the centre or tilting to one side. Growers should ensure that harvest contractors are aware of this limitation and direct them to construct modules that are able to fit within the dimensions of trailers.
Cotton Module Transport—Queensland
All parties involved in the movement of a cotton module from farm to cotton gin are subject to “chain of responsibility”. Growers, transport operators and gins share equal responsibility for moving cotton modules in a safe and compliant manner.
For guidelines explaining the conditions under which combination vehicles used to transport cotton modules may be used on roads in Queensland when certain dimensions exceed regulated limits please click here.
Code of Conduct for Loading Trucks/Load Restraints
Loading machinery and other general farm inputs
Cotton growers loading any good onto the back of a vehicle (including utes, box trailers, trucks etc) are subject to load restraint regulations in both NSW and QLD. It is important to become familiar with these regulations which can be found in the following publications:
NSW: the RTA’s Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook which can be downloaded here.
QLD: Heavy vehicle guidelines, information bulletins and forms can be downloaded here.
Cotton modules and cotton bales
Particular regulations and some exemptions exist for loading and restraining cotton modules and bales.
To download the Cotton Restraint Guide, please click here.
Chain of responsibility in transport
Under law, all parties including cotton growers, transport companies and cotton gins involved in the movement of cotton modules, bales, farm machinery and other farm inputs are equally responsible for compliance and safe packaging, transport and delivery.
Where does this apply? Some examples include:
- Cotton module transport from farm to gin—grower must ensure the module is packed and loaded safely and in compliance with legal requirements when it leaves the farm
- Application of pesticides where growers, consultants and applicators are equally responsible for the application of the pesticide.
