SURFACE J1179

REV.
FEB90
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
STANDARD Issued 1977-03
Revised 1990-02

Superseding J1179 NOV84

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

(R) HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR AND BACKHOE DIGGING FORCES

1. Scope—This document applies to all hydraulic excavators and backhoes that are either crawler mounted or
rubber tire mounted, with or without outrigger members, identified in SAE J1116 as earthmoving machines
and defined in SAE J1057.

1.1 Purpose—This document is to provide a uniform method of determining digging forces for hydraulic
excavators and backhoes.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of the specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise indicated the latest revision of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J1057 SEP88—Identification Terminology of Earthmoving Machines

SAE J1116 JUN86—Categories of Off-Road Self-Propelled Work Machines

3. Definitions

3.1 Working Circuit Pressure—That nominal pressure applied to the specific circuit by the pump(s).

3.2 Holding Circuit Pressure—The maximum static pressure in a specific circuit, limited by a relief valve at a flow
no greater than 10% of the circuit rated flow.

3.3 Maximum Digging Forces—The maximum digging forces are the digging forces that can be exerted at the
outermost cutting point. These forces are calculated by applying working circuit pressure to the cylinder(s)
providing the digging force without exceeding holding circuit pressure in any other circuit. Weight of
components and friction are to be excluded from these force calculations.

3.3.1 MAXIMUM BUCKET TANGENTIAL FORCE—The maximum bucket tangential force, “V”, Figure 1, is the digging
force generated by the bucket cylinder(s) and tangent to the arc of radius “C”, Figure 1. The bucket shall be
positioned to obtain the maximum output moment from the bucket cylinder(s) and connecting linkage.

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Copyright 1990 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 SAE J1179 Revised FEB90

3.3.2 MAXIMUM ARM/DIPPERSTICK FORCE—The maximum arm/dipperstick force, “W”, Figure 2 is the digging force
generated by the arm/dipperstick cylinder(s) and tangent to the arc of the radius “B”, Figure 2. The arm/
dipperstick shall be positioned to obtain the maximum output moment from the arm/dipperstick cylinder(s)
and the bucket positioned as in 3.3.1.

3.3.3 MAXIMUM TELESCOPING BOOM CROWD FORCE—The maximum telescoping boom crowd force “U”, Figure 3, is
the digging force generated by the telescoping boom cylinder acting on a line parallel to the boom. Force “U”
is independent of bucket position. This definition applies to telescoping booms only, not extendable arms/
dipperstick.

4. Conditions

4.1 Specified bucket linkage configuration must be used unless otherwise noted.

4.2 Maximum digging forces will be with the specified bucket.

4.3 Adjustable arm/dippersticks must be in the minimum extension position unless otherwise noted.

4.4 Published digging forces are to be in Newtons (lb).

4.5 Additional digging forces may be specified separately for available buckets or equipment.

4.6 The manufacturer must be able to verify published hydraulic digging forces by actual tests. Test values for any
new machine must exceed 95% of published digging force values. Boom, arm/dipperstick, and bucket are to be
positioned to minimize the effect of component weight on force measurements.

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 SAE J1179 Revised FEB90

FIGURE 1—MAXIMUM BUCKET TANGENTIAL FORCE

FIGURE 2—MAXIMUM ARM/DIPPERSTICK FORCE

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 SAE J1179 Revised FEB90

FIGURE 3—MAXIMUM TELESCOPING BOOM CROWD FORCE

5. Notes

5.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating
areas where technical revisions have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left of
the document title indicates a complete revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE ORMTC SUBCOMMITTEE 17

OF THE SAE OFF-ROAD MACHINERY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

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 SAE J1179 Revised FEB90

Rationale—Not applicable.

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This document applies to all hydraulic excavators and backhoes that are either crawler mounted
or rubber tire mounted, with or without outrigger members, identified in SAE J1116 as earthmoving
machines and defined in SAE J1057.

Reference Section

SAE J1057 SEP88—Identification Terminology of Earthmoving Machines

SAE J1116 JUN86—Categories of Off-Road Self-Propelled Work Machines

Developed by the SAE ORMTC Subcommittee 17

Sponsored by the SAE Off-Road Machinery Technical Committee