DLG TestService operates one of Europe’s most advanced testing centres for agricultural machinery and inputs in Groß-Umstadt, Germany, some 50 kilometers from Frankfurt, DLG’s head office. In addition to tests based on recognized DLG standards, the center offers comprehensive quality assurance services in accordance with national and international norms and regulations. These include performance testing of tractors on an advanced roller dynamometer, where engine output, drivetrain efficiency and fuel consumption are measured under realistic operating conditions.
The internationally recognized “DLG PowerMix” test method exposes tractors to 14 practical load scenarios in field and transport operations, allowing for reliable evaluation and comparison of energy efficiency, traction and operating costs. Tyre testing focuses on key criteria such as traction, soil protection, rolling resistance and fuel savings. Cab testing ensures that driver environments meet the highest standards for safety, ergonomics and comfort — from ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) tests to measurements of noise, vibration and climate control.
DLG TestService also supports manufacturers with approval procedures for tractors, agricultural, forestry and construction machinery, and special-purpose vehicles. Services range from EU type approvals, ECE certifications and OECD Tractor Codes to individual approvals and special permits, including conformity assessments for attachments and components. In addition, the testing center conducts specialized evaluations of inputs such as additives and lubricants, assessing effectiveness, stability and practical suitability under defined conditions.
Another key area is support for research and development. Manufacturers can test prototypes and new technologies under realistic conditions at all stages of development. During Agritechnica, DLG TestService experts will also provide insights into alternative drive concepts and approval procedures in a series of expert talks and panel discussions.
The panel discussion “Alternative Drive Concepts for Agriculture” will take place on 9 November from 12:30 to 13:25 on the DLG Expert Stage Smart Efficiency in Hall 24. Participants include representatives from Bayerische Staatsgüter, Agco Power, the Technology and Support Centre Straubing, and DLG experts Martin Hanstein, Head of Performance Testing and Roller Dynamometer, and Roger Stirnimann, Lecturer in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences in Switzerland.
On 11 November at 10:30 on the DLG Expert Stage Systems & Components (Hall 17, Stand H02), Heinrich Wilking, Head of Homologation at DLG TestService, will present “Launch your vehicle in the EU,” explaining the EU Regulation 167/2013 and its implications for the approval of agricultural vehicles and equipment.
On 12 November at 10:00, also on the Systems & Components stage, Wilking will introduce the new EU Regulation 2025/14, which for the first time provides a harmonized framework for the type and individual approval of mobile machinery used on public roads — including combine harvesters, forage harvesters, wheel loaders and timber harvesting vehicles. The regulation brings new requirements for manufacturers, operators and suppliers, while also opening up important market opportunities. A networking session will follow the presentation.
On 13 November, DLG TestService will participate in the Pop-up Talk Dealer at the International Dealer Center (Hall 2, Stand F43), where experts will explain individual approval procedures (§21 StVZO), EU type approval (Regulation 167/2013), and technical requirements related to visibility, dimensions and mass, as well as exemptions under §70 StVZO and §29 StVO.
