Overview
ISO 13860:2016 - Machinery for forestry - Forwarders - Terms, definitions and commercial specifications provides a standardized framework for identifying and describing the main dimensions, masses and features of wheeled forwarders, specifically articulated wheeled forwarders (see ISO 6814). The standard defines consistent terminology, measurement conditions (e.g., all dimensions referenced to a ground reference plane with axles parallel and articulation joint angle 0°) and the commercial information manufacturers and users should supply.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard focuses on clear, repeatable definitions and required data for forestry forwarders. Major topics include:
- Terms and definitions
- Front/rear, right/left, ground reference plane (GRP), and operator orientation.
- Masses
- Defined mass terms such as operating mass (OM), rated paymass/payload (PM), gross machinery mass (GMM) and shipping mass (SM) (notes reference ISO 6016).
- Axle loads and maximum permissible axle load, plus axle distribution at OM.
- Main machine dimensions
- Frame lengths, overall length, wheelbase, articulation-related distances, overall/ cab heights, ground clearance and loaded tyre radius.
- Widths: overall width, trackwidth, and clearance circle.
- Articulation and oscillation angles (frame and axle).
- Loader dimensions and performance
- Loader reach, reach at ground level, maximum lift height, rotation and tilt angles, grapple opening area, boom pivot heights.
- Bogie and load space
- Bogie wheelbase, stake height, load bunk dimensions, cross-sectional area of load space and load-center height.
- Required commercial information
- Product data that shall be supplied where applicable: tyre size, ply rating, inflation pressure (including hydro-inflation), adjustable dimension ranges, asymmetrical dimensions (left/right, front/rear), and whether functions are continuous or staged (e.g., loader rotation).
Figures in the standard illustrate these items (not as machine models but to support definition clarity).
Practical applications and users
ISO 13860 is practical for:
- Manufacturers - to produce consistent product data sheets and ensure clear commercial specifications.
- Purchasers and fleet managers - to compare models objectively for procurement and logistics.
- Design and engineering teams - to reference standardized dimension and mass definitions during development and validation.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to ensure reproducible measurement and reporting.
- Regulators and spec writers - to reference unambiguous terms in contracts, safety documentation and transport/shipping declarations.
Using this standard improves interoperability, procurement clarity, and safety by ensuring consistent machine descriptions across the forestry machinery sector.
Related standards
- ISO 6814:2009 - Mobile and self-propelled forestry machinery: terms, definitions and classification (normative reference).
- ISO 6016 - (referenced for mass definitions)