Standards Development

Scope

This document describes test methods of measuring and reporting energy use by earth-moving
machinery. These methods are applicable to wheel loaders, excavators and crawler dozers as
explained in ISO 6165:
Note: Energy use may be applicable to measure energy efficiency of
• consumable fuel engine powered,
• electric drive, or
• hybrid type machines

Purpose

For automotive and industrial truck sector, there already exist ISO standards for energy efficiency test
methods. However, for earth-moving machinery (EMM) sector there are no international standards
developed as yet. This is partly due to the fact that EMM is more susceptible to variability of test result
than automobile, since EMM directly moves soil material which has large variability by itself, whereas
automobiles typically drive on smooth surfaces. As the mainstream power source of EMM is expected
to gradually shift from ICE-driven to hybrid-drive to full electric-drive, the method to evaluate the energy
efficiency among these different kinds of power sourced machines will also become more important.
This document lays out procedures and techniques that can be used to measure the energy use of
EMM while performing specific test cycles that represent segments of work cycles of machines.
There are many variables that can affect the final energy use measurements. This variability makes it
difficult to compare machines tested at different times, places, conditions.
There are two different approaches to testing:
One approach is a technique that moves material which results in a measurement of energy used per
unit of work; that is the mass of material moved per energy used. This technique can be more
representative of actual working conditions, but it could have higher variability in results.
This technique that moves actual material is subdivided into two methods according to test field
preparation, see clause 4 in attached WD. (e.g. Method 1 and Method 2)
Another approach is a simulated technique that results in a measurement of energy used per unit of
time on actual machines. This technique does not necessarily represent actual working conditions but
results in lower variability (e.g. Method 3 in Clause 4). The simulated test method and the methods that
move material are not comparable.
Since these two approaches are not directly comparable, Figure 1 in clause 4 details the advantages
and disadvantages of the different methods that need to be considered in choosing the appropriate
method.
This document is intended to be used for further study on this subject to determine the effectiveness of
these test methods, direct correlation between tests, and to represent actual machine efficiency. Future
work is needed to validate the test methods as a means of projecting actual energy use for different
types of applications and machine use.
The test techniques in this document were developed with consumable fuel engine powered, electrical
energy powered, or hybrid type machines in consideration. However, as newer technology such as
hydrogen-fuelled machines and fuel cell technology are developed, the test methods of this document
will also need to be updated.
It is proposed that the series consist of multiple parts. Currently, following Parts are considered. This
Form 4 for NP is intended for Part 1: General. Form 4 for NP of Part 2: Excavator is planned to be
submitted together with Part 1. Remaining Parts will be studied separately.
1. Earth-Moving Machinery – Test Methods for Energy Use – Part 1: General
2. Earth-Moving Machinery – Test Methods for Energy Use – Part 2: Excavator
3. Earth-Moving Machinery – Test Methods for Energy Use – Part 3: Wheel Loader

4. Earth-Moving Machinery – Test Methods for Energy Use – Part 4: Crawler Tractor