Old gravel conveyors can keep their original brakes, even if they're not on all wheels

The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposes to exempt portable conveyors made before 2010 from a rule requiring brakes on all wheels. This means older equipment used in the aggregate industry will not need expensive retrofits to comply with current braking standards.

The rule requiring brakes on all wheels was written for commercial motor vehicles, not specialized equipment like portable conveyors. This proposal acknowledges that distinction, allowing older, less complex machinery to operate without unnecessary upgrades. It saves money for aggregate companies, especially smaller ones, by not forcing them to modify equipment that has been safely operating for years.