OECD AGR/CA/T(2004)2 FINAL DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR OPTIONAL WATERPROOFING TEST

The discussion about adding an optional waterproofing test to the OECD tractor performance code began at the 2001 Engineers' conference in Finland. At the 2002 annual meeting, the necessity of waterproofing tractors, for use in the wet paddy cultivation, and national test methods in 4 Asian countries were reviewed. The draft proposal for an optional waterproofing test was presented and discussed. During the meeting there was general support to continue developing the test. A working group on waterproofing test code with delegates from Korea, Japan, India, China and Italy was organised. At the 2003 annual meeting, a progress report on the waterproofing test developed by the working group was presented. In the meeting, the use of a more scientific method for checking water ingress, as well as demonstrations at the following 2003 Engineers' conference was recommended. At the 2003 Engineers' conference, 2 different checking methods; "visual check - crackle test" and "Karl Fischer method (ISO 10337)" were demonstrated by Korea and Italy. The Karl Fischer method was regarded as a good method for its precise and quantitative analysis of water ingress in oil. However, it was deemed comparatively high in cost and complexity for the purpose of a waterproofing check of tractors. The visual check - crackle test was considered satisfactory enough for the test purpose with its simplicity and low cost. It was agreed to submit a finalized draft of the waterproofing test to the 2004 annual meeting. This finalized draft proposal was prepared by Korea Institute (NAMRI; Hakkyu Kim) with the help of Italy Institute (Torino; Eugenio Cavallo) for an optional test in the draft of the new performance code