SQF 7.2.6.6 Tractor Drip Trays
Hi,
We've recently been audited under SQF ED 8 Primary Production and were issued a non-conformance under clause 7.2.6.6.
"Tractors, harvesters, field packing equipment and machinery driven over ground crops shall be fitted with
drip trays to prevent contamination of the crop by lubricants and oils."
Can anyone share photos of what the drip tray on a tractor looks like?
We've tried our local tractor dealers (including John Deere) and they haven't heard of it. According to them, there is no such part available in Australia for tractors.
Thank you.
Hi there scubascuba
This is a tricky one & unfortunately I have no idea what regs are used to control agriculture in AUS.
I work for a company that source fruit from around the world (USA/China/Europe) and all growers/suppliers need to be either GAP (Good agricultural practice) accredited or be working to GAP principles & are audited accordingly.
I have attached the DEFRA standard (may not be too useful in AUS) but a good reference document.
defra.pdf 847.38KB 14 downloads
I'd never heard of drip trays either but apparently they are a "thing"
https://www.tfmsuper...ers-drip-trays/
Apparently- there is also a "tractor diaper" to deal with spills - sold by Amazon
https://www.amazon.c...=tractor diaper
Suspect a good google search might get you suppliers in AUS?...
You'll probably have to have something custom made by a machine shop that is removable for cleaning and repairs to the tractor. It would have to mount to the chassis and cover all of the possible places anything could drip from
Can i ask why SQF and not Global Gap? Knowing farmers, this element would be a hard sell to most....................
Thanks Lesley & Scampi for your suggestions and information.
The tractor diaper is a very interesting one.
I would have thought that the drip tray would be a standard part available by tractor manufacturers (especially JD).
Scampi, you're right about getting some of the requirements through to the farmers. The decision to go with SQF was made way back and the people who knew why are no longer with the business.