ISO 7135:2009/Amd 1:2019

Overview

ISO 7135:2009/Amd 1:2019 is an important amendment to the international standard governing earth-moving machinery, specifically hydraulic excavators. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this document updates the terminology and commercial specifications initially set in ISO 7135:2009. The amendment clarifies definitions related to excavator design, focusing on operational efficiency in confined spaces and machine rotation capabilities. It serves as an essential reference for manufacturers, operators, and stakeholders in the construction and heavy machinery industries aiming to ensure consistency and clarity in equipment classification and performance standards.

Key Topics

• Terminology Updates
  The amendment introduces refined definitions to better describe excavator types, including:

  • Short Radius Excavators: Designed for working in restricted spaces with a superstructure rotation envelope within 120% of the undercarriage width.
  • Minimal Tail Swing Excavators: Excavators with a superstructure rotating at the rear within a similarly confined envelope, optimizing use on sites with limited rear clearance without sacrificing standard performance.

• Commercial Specifications
  Updates include specific measurement conventions, such as:

  • Rotation Radius (R4 Code): Defined as the distance from the rotation axis to the furthest point at the rear of the superstructure, measured in the horizontal plane (Z-plane). This standardizes how excavator dimensions related to rotation are reported commercially.

• Application Context
  The amendment aims to improve operational safety and maneuverability in confined construction environments, which is critical for urban construction, underground works, and demolition projects.

Applications

The ISO 7135:2009/Amd 1:2019 amendment has practical applications across several domains of hydraulic excavator use:

• Construction and Civil Engineering
  Equipment compliant with updated terminology helps in selecting the right excavator for sites where space limitations prevail, enhancing project planning accuracy.

• Equipment Manufacturing
  Manufacturers benefit from clearly defined specifications to design excavators with optimized tail swing and rotation radii, facilitating the production of models suited for both confined and standard working conditions.

• Equipment Rental and Sales
  The standardized terminology and measurement terms enable clearer communication of machine capabilities and limitations, reducing misunderstandings between sellers, buyers, and end-users.

• Safety and Training
  Accurate terminology helps operators understand equipment capabilities, leading to safer use in tight workspaces and compliance with site-specific regulations.

Related Standards

Several related ISO standards complement ISO 7135:2009/Amd 1:2019 to provide a comprehensive framework for earth-moving machinery:

• ISO 6165:2012 – Earth-moving machinery - Basic types - Vocabulary
• ISO 6166:2005 – Earth-moving machinery - Definitions and commercial specifications for loaders and backhoe loaders
• ISO 10426 – Earth-moving machinery - Hydraulic excavators - Safety requirements
• ISO 19285 – Earth-moving machinery - Safety requirements and verification

These standards, combined with ISO 7135 amendments, establish a harmonized international language and technical baseline, facilitating interoperability, quality assurance, and compliance in the heavy machinery sector.

By adhering to ISO 7135:2009/Amd 1:2019, stakeholders ensure that hydraulic excavator terminology and specifications meet the highest international benchmarks, enabling better machine design, safer operations, and clear commercial communication, especially in projects where machine footprint and rotation constraints are critical factors.