BRITISH STANDARD BS 6911-3:

1990
ISO 6015:1989

Testing earth-moving
machinery —
Part 3: Measurement of tool forces of
hydraulic excavators
BS 6911-3:1990

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Road

Engineering Standards Policy Committee (RDB/-) to Technical Committee
RDB/21, upon which the following bodies were represented:

AFRC Institute of Engineering Research

Associated Offices Technical Committee
British Coal Corporation
Construction Industry Training Board
Construction Plant-Hire Association
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Federation of Manufacturers of Construction Equipment and Cranes
Health and Safety Executive
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Ministry of Defence

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes into
effect on
31 August 1990 Amendments issued since publication
© BSI 10-1999 Amd. No. Date Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference RDB/21
Draft announced in BSI News
April 1990

ISBN 0 580 18624 5

 BS 6911-3:1990

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Normative references 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Apparatus 1
5 Test site 2
6 Preparation for test 2
7 Methods of measuring tool forces 2
8 Test report 3
Figure 1 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with hoe —
Typical arrangement for measuring maximum hoe
tool force using bucket cylinder 4
Figure 2 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with hoe —
Typical arrangement for measuring maximum hoe
tool force using arm cylinder 5
Figure 3 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with shovel —
Typical arrangement for measuring maximum shovel
tool force using bucket cylinder 5
Figure 4 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with shovel —
Typical arrangement for measuring maximum shovel
tool force using arm cylinder 6
Figure 5 — Grab or clamshell — Typical test arrangement
for determination of maximum closing force 6
Table 1 — Test results 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 10-1999 i
BS 6911-3:1990

National foreword

This Part of BS 6911 is a minor revision of BS 6825-1:1987 incorporating changes

in the definitions for hydraulic pressure terms. It has been prepared under the
direction of the Road Engineering Standards Policy Committee. BS 6911-3 is
identical with ISO 6015:1989 “Earth-moving machinery — Hydraulic
excavators — Methods of measuring tool forces” published by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO). This Part of BS 6911 supersedes
BS 6825-1 which is withdrawn.
ISO 6015 was produced as a result of international discussion in which the UK
took an active part.
Cross-references
International Standard Corresponding British Standard
ISO 5998:1986 BS 6912 Safety of earth-moving machinery
Part 2:1989 Specification for rated operating load for
crawler and wheel loaders
(Identical)
ISO 6016:1982 BS 6300:1982 Methods of measuring the masses of
whole machines, their equipment and components of
earth-moving machinery
(Identical)
BS 6914 Terminology (including definitions of
dimensions and symbols) for earth-moving machinery
ISO 6165:1987 Part 1:1988 Glossary of terms for basic types of
earth-moving machinery
(Identical)
ISO 6746-1:1987 Part 2:1988 Glossary of terms for base machine
(Identical)
ISO 7451:1983 BS 6421:1983 Method for volumetric rating of hoe type
buckets of hydraulic excavators used for earth-moving
(Identical)
ISO 7546:1983 BS 6422:1983 Method for volumetric rating of loader
and front loading excavator buckets used for
earth-moving
(Identical)
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 10-1999
 BS 6911-3:1990

1 Scope 3.3
mass
This International Standard specifies methods for
determining the tool forces of hydraulic excavators, operating mass of the machine, as defined in
together with their limiting conditions. It applies to ISO 6016
all types of hydraulic excavators, crawler or wheeled 3.4 Hydraulic pressure
machines, and with or without outriggers, as
3.4.1
defined in ISO 6165.
working circuit pressure
2 Normative references nominal pressure applied to the specific circuit by
the pump(s)
The following standards contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions 3.4.2
of this International Standard. At the time of holding circuit pressure
publication, the editions indicated were valid. All maximum static pressure in a specific circuit
standards are subject to revision, and parties to limited by a relief valve at a flow no greater
agreements based on this International Standard than 10 % of the rated circuit flow
are encouraged to investigate the possibility of 3.5 Limiting conditions (see also 7.1)
applying the most recent editions of the standards
listed below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain 3.5.1
registers of currently valid International Standards. hydraulic limiting condition
ISO 6016:1982, Earth-moving machinery — moment when the tool forces or lift capacity are
Methods of measuring the masses of whole limited by the working or holding circuit pressure
machines, their equipment and components. 3.5.2
ISO 6165:1987, Earth-moving machinery — Basic engine stall limiting condition
types — Vocabulary. moment when the tool forces are limited by the
ISO 6746-1:1987, Earth-moving machinery — engine stalling
Definitions of dimensions and symbols — 3.5.3
Part 1: Base machine. tipping limiting condition
ISO 7451:1983, Earth-moving machinery —
moment when the tool forces are limited by the
Hydraulic excavators — Hoe type buckets —
onset of tipping of the machine
Volumetric ratings.
3.5.4
ISO 7546:1983, Earth-moving machinery — Loader
slipping limiting condition
and front loading excavator buckets — Volumetric
ratings. moment when the tool forces are limited by the
machine slipping on the test surface
3 Definitions
4 Apparatus
For the purposes of this International Standard, the
following definitions apply. The apparatus shall comprise the items in 4.1
to 4.4.
3.1
tool forces 4.1 Load cell or force transducer appropriate to the
magnitude of the tool force to be measured and with
on an excavator fitted with a hoe or shovel, tool
an accuracy of ± 2 % inclusive of the readout device.
forces are the actual forces generated at the bucket
lip when operating the bucket or arm cylinder 4.2 Hydraulic oil pressure gauge, with an accuracy
independently of ± 2 %.
for buckets with a curved or pointed cutting edge the 4.3 Wire ropes and shackles, pulley, safety chains
forces shall be measured at the centre of the bucket and adjustable supporting frames
width 4.4 Apparatus for measuring linear dimensions to
the direction of the tool forces to be measured shall an accuracy of ± 2 %.
be tangential to the arc described by the bucket lip
3.2
grab and clamshell closing force
maximum force available between the clamshells at
the cutting edge or the tips of the teeth when closing

© BSI 10-1999 1
BS 6911-3:1990

5 Test site A series of preliminary trials shall be conducted

with the equipment boom arm and bucket at
The test site shall consist of a substantially level,
different angles in relation to each other (i.e. by
hard surface, preferably concrete, with anchor
varying the cylinder stroke) to obtain the optimum
points and sufficient space to use load cells (4.1).
position to give the maximum force.
Where measurements are to be made below the
normal ground level, a pit shall be provided of The limiting conditions, as defined in 3.5, shall be
sufficient depth to accept the tool and with enough noted for each test (see 8.2).
room to accommodate the load cell, its anchorage In the case of the hydraulic limiting condition, the
and any auxiliary equipment. report should note the system or circuit in which the
NOTE In the preferred method, the force to be measured is holding pressure was exceeded. If the tipping
applied direct to the load cell (4.1). If the force is applied via a limiting condition is reached, the tool force shall be
pulley, its friction should be taken into account in order to measured after the onset of tipping.
maintain the overall accuracy of ± 2 %. As the mass of the rope
itself may affect the accuracy, it is recommended that the rope Safety chains shall be loose so that the machine can
should be as short as possible. attain the tipping condition and yet be prevented
from overturning.
6 Preparation for test
If the slipping limiting condition is reached, the
The excavator shall be clean, and generally machine shall be anchored and the reported results
equipped as indicated in ISO 6016. should indicate that the maximum force was
The machine shall be fitted with the bucket or other obtained by anchoring the machine.
attachment and appropriate counterweights, and When alternative pivot positions for the boom,
shall have the tyre pressure, and tyre ballast or dipper arm, attachment and cylinders and/or a
track tension as specified by the manufacturer. telescopically adjustable boom are available, the
The working equipment for each test, using the relative pin positions of boom, dipper arm and
various bucket pin, bucket link pin or arm pin bucket fixing and telescopic boom position as tested
positions, shall be as specified by the manufacturer shall be recorded.
(see Figure 1). For excavators fitted with outriggers, the tests shall
Prior to testing, the engine and hydraulic system be conducted with the outriggers raised or lowered
shall attain the normal working temperature, and as specified by the manufacturer.
the working and holding circuits pressures shall Each test shall be conducted three times, and the
then be checked for compliance with the maximum tool force for each test shall be noted; the
manufacturer’s recommendations. arithmetic mean of these three values shall be
The machine shall be positioned on the test site recorded in the test results.
(clause 5) and the appropriate bucket or attachment The tool forces shall be measured in accordance with
shall be suitably connected to a load cell (4.1) as the above general requirements and the specific
illustrated in Figure 1 to Figure 5, the linkage requirements given in 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 and as
position being dependent on which tool force is to be illustrated in the appropriate figures.
determined.
7.2 Excavator fitted as hoe (see Figure 1 and
Figure 2)
7 Methods of measuring tool forces
7.2.1 Maximum hoe tool force using bucket
7.1 General cylinder(s)
The test shall be conducted with the machine This is the maximum force at the bucket lip with the
running in accordance with the manufacturer’s bucket cylinder(s) positioned to provide the
operating instructions and observing all safety maximum curling moment to the bucket around the
rules. bucket pivot. The bucket lip shall be moved towards
Safety chains (4.3) shall be fitted to prevent the the base machine. The force shall be measured
machine from actually overturning in any test tangential to the arc described by the bucket lip
where the tipping limiting condition may occur. about the bucket pivot (see Figure 1).
With the engine running at the manufacturer’s
maximum recommended speed, the required
cylinder(s) shall be operated independently and the
force at the bucket lip or attachment recorded.

2 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 6911-3:1990

7.2.2 Maximum hoe tool force using arm 8.1.1 Machine

cylinder(s) a) type;
This is the maximum force at the bucket lip with the b) model;
arm cylinder positioned to provide the maximum
c) manufacturer;
moment to the arm around the arm pivot. The
bucket lip shall be moved towards the base machine. d) mass of machine as tested (in accordance with
The bucket shall be positioned as defined in 7.2.1, ISO 6016), in kilograms;
except that no part of the bucket shall be outside the e) working or holding circuit pressure setting(s),
arc described by the bucket lip about the arm pivot. in kilopascals.
The force shall be measured tangential to this arc 8.1.2 Type of undercarriage (i.e. crawler or
(see Figure 2). wheeled machine, in accordance with ISO 6746-1)
7.3 Excavator fitted as shovel (see Figure 3 and a) Crawler machine:
Figure 4)
1) type of track shoe,
7.3.1 Maximum shovel tool force using bucket
2) maximum width (over tracks), W1, in
cylinder(s)
metres,
This is the maximum force at the bucket lip with the
3) track gauge, W2, in metres,
bucket cylinder positioned to provide the maximum
curling moment to the bucket around the bucket 4) track shoe width, W4, in metres,
pivot. The bucket lip shall be moved away from the 5) crawler base (distance between vertical
base machine. The force shall be measured centrelines of front and rear idlers or
tangential to the arc described by the bucket lip sprockets), L2, in metres;
about the bucket pivot (see Figure 3). b) Wheeled machine:
7.3.2 Maximum shovel tool force using arm 1) track, W3, in metres (specifying front and
cylinder(s) rear if different),
This is the maximum force at the bucket lip with the 2) wheel-base, L3, in metres,
arm cylinder positioned to provide the maximum 3) tyre size(s),
moment to the arm around the arm pivot. The
bucket lip shall be moved away from the base 4) tyre pressure, in kilopascals,
machine. The bucket is to be positioned as defined 5) ballast (if specified), in kilograms.
in 7.3.1 except that no part of the bucket shall be 8.1.3 Working equipment fitted
outside the arc described by the bucket lip about the
a) boom length (at available pin or telescoped
arm pivot. The force shall be measured tangential to
positions), in metres;
this arc (see Figure 4).
b) arm length (at available pin or telescoped
7.4 Excavator fitted with grab or clamshell
positions), in metres;
attachment
c) bucket type, rated volume (in accordance with
7.4.1 Maximum grab or clamshell closing force ISO 7451 or ISO 7546) and mass, in kilograms;
A load sensor is placed between the cutting edges of d) attachments (specify) and mass, in kilograms;
the clamshell, which is in the position of maximum
e) counterweights, in kilograms;
closing force, applied by the hydraulic closing
cylinders or other means. The distance between the f) outriggers: width between pad centres,
cutting edges shall be recorded (see Figure 5). outriggers extended, W6, in metres.
8.2 Reporting results
8 Test report
The tool forces shall be recorded in accordance with
8.1 General information on machine Table 1.
The information specified in 8.1.1 to 8.1.3 shall be
reported.

© BSI 10-1999 3
BS 6911-3:1990

Table 1 — Test results

Equipment fitted Pin positions and arm length Force Limiting
N conditions
Maximum hoe tool force using:
— bucket cylinder
— arm cylinder
Maximum shovel tool force using:
— bucket cylinder
— arm cylinder
Grab or clamshell: Distance between teeth/cutting edges
closing force

Figure 1 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with hoe — Typical arrangement for measuring
maximum hoe tool force using bucket cylinder

4 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 6911-3:1990

Figure 2 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with hoe — Typical arrangement for measuring
maximum hoe tool force using arm cylinder

Figure 3 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with shovel — Typical arrangement for measuring
maximum shovel tool force using bucket cylinder

© BSI 10-1999 5
BS 6911-3:1990

Figure 4 — Hydraulic excavator fitted with shovel — Typical arrangement for measuring
maximum shovel tool force using arm cylinder

Figure 5 — Grab or clamshell — Typical test arrangement for determination of maximum

closing force

6 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 6911-3:1990

Publications referred to

See national foreword.

© BSI 10-1999
BS 6911-3:
1990
ISO 6015:1989 BSI — British Standards Institution
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL