Overview
ISO 5715:1983 defines dimensional compatibility requirements for forage harvesting machinery to ensure satisfactory operation when machines are used in normal sequence. The standard covers forage harvesters, forage trailers, dump boxes and forage conveyors and applies to forage crops such as legumes, grasses (including cereals) and other forage crops, either fresh or wilted. Six illustrative figures are included in the original document for dimensional reference only and do not indicate design details.
Key Topics
- Purpose: Ensure physical compatibility between harvesters, trailers, dump boxes and conveyors so transferred material can be handled safely and efficiently.
- Scope: Dimensions apply when machines are used in the normal sequence (harvester → trailer → dump box/forage blower → store).
- Illustrations: Figures are for dimensional reference and are not to scale or design intent.
Representative dimensional requirements (as given in ISO 5715:1983):
- Rear drawbar minimum vertical load-carrying capacity: 1 300 kg.
- Horizontal distance from rear drawbar hitch point to spout tip: 1 850 mm maximum.
- Spout height (top of blower spout, cap level): 3 050 ± 150 mm; auxiliary spout for lorries: 3 550 ± 150 mm; extending spout max extension: 4 000 ± 150 mm.
- Spout lateral offset capability: up to 750 mm from harvester centre line.
- Forage trailer exterior box width: 2 350 mm maximum.
- Trailer cover/hood clearance: bottom surface at least 3 350 mm above ground.
- Cross-discharge and outlet widths: 610 mm maximum for cross discharge or dump box cross conveyor outlet.
- Dump box: input-end bed floor max height 230 mm, output-end min height 650 mm; min internal width at input 2 450 mm, output bed width max 2 500 mm.
- Forage conveyors: max height to top of feed conveyor sides 585 mm; minimum drive-through conveyor length 2 750 mm; hopper-fed conveyor hopper min 750 mm in both horizontal directions.
(These values are extracted directly from the standard and are intended to illustrate the kinds of dimensional limits ISO 5715 specifies.)
Applications
- Equipment manufacturers use ISO 5715:1983 to design compatible harvesters, trailers and conveyors that interoperate without modification.
- Agricultural contractors and fleet managers use these dimensions to select compatible combinations and reduce on-field downtime and transfer losses.
- Agricultural equipment safety and ergonomic planning benefit from standardized interface clearances and heights.
Related Standards
- Developed by ISO/TC 23 (Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry).
- Use alongside manufacturer guidance, vehicle coupling standards and other ISO agricultural machinery standards to ensure full interoperability and safe operation.
Practical value: Implementing ISO 5715:1983 dimensions helps manufacturers and operators achieve predictable machine interfaces, reduce field adjustments, improve material flow and enhance operational safety during forage harvesting and transport.