This International Standard specifies, in accordance with ISO 10326-1, a laboratory method for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the seat suspension in reducing the vertical whole-body vibration transmitted to the operator of earth-moving machines at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz. It also specifies acceptance criteria for application to seats on different machines.

This International Standard is applicable to operator seats used on earth-moving machines as defined in ISO 6165.

This International Standard defines the input spectral classes required for the following earth-moving machines. Each class defines a group of machines having similar vibration characteristics:

• rigid frame dumpers > 4 500 kg operating mass¹⁾
• articulated frame dumpers
• scrapers without axle or frame suspension²⁾
• wheel-loaders > 4 500 kg operating mass¹⁾
• graders
• wheel-dozers
• soil compactors (wheel type)
• backhoe-loaders
• crawler loaders
• crawler-dozers ≤ 50 000 kg operating mass¹⁾, ³⁾
• compact dumpers ≤ 4 500 kg operating mass¹⁾
• compact loaders ≤ 4 500 kg operating mass¹⁾
• skid-steer loaders ≤ 4 500 kg operating mass¹⁾

The following machines impart sufficiently low vertical vibration inputs at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz to the seat during operation that these seats do not require suspension for the attenuation of transmitted vibration:

• excavators, including walking excavators and cable excavators⁴⁾
• trenchers
• landfill compactors
• non-vibratory rollers
• milling machines
• pipelayers
• finishers
• vibratory rollers

The tests and criteria defined in this International Standard are intended for operator seats used in earthmoving machines of conventional design.

Vibration which reaches the operator other than through his seat, for example that sensed by his feet on the platform or control pedals or by his hands on the steering-wheel, is not covered.

1) See ISO 6016.

2) For tractor scrapers with suspension, either a seat with no suspension may be used, or one having a suspension with high damping.

3) For crawler dozers greater than 50 000 kg, the seat performance requirements are suitably provided by a cushion type seat.