Overview
ISO 6483:1980 - "Earth-moving machinery - Dumper bodies - Volumetric rating" defines a standardized procedure to approximate the volume of materials carried in dumper (tombereau) bodies. The method uses the inside dimensions of the body plus representative volumes above the body to produce a consistent, comparable capacity rating. ISO 6483:1980 is explicitly intended as a comparative rating method, not as a guarantee of actual in-service payloads.
Key topics and requirements
- Measurement basis: Volumes are calculated from the internal surfaces (floor, sides, ejector/retention device) and representative over-body volumes.
- Test setup: The dumper body must be placed in its fully lowered position on the machine on a horizontal surface with tires at recommended pressure. Retention/ejection devices are set to provide maximum volumetric capacity within their normal operating range.
- Limits of “cut” (inside) volume:
- Interior surfaces define the bounding volume (floor, flanks, ejector).
- For bodies with an open discharge end, the cut volume is limited either by a plane through the rear edge and upper rear corners of the side plates or by a 1:1 (45°) inward/upward plane from the rear edge - the smaller plane governs.
- For open-sided bodies, planes defined by intermediate edges or median lines are used to bound volumes.
- Over-body (excess) volume:
- Surfaces above the top plane that can retain load are included.
- Over-body limits are defined by 2:1 (26.6°) inward/upward planes from the top edges and from the top plane of the cut volume (figure-based rules).
- Accuracy and reporting:
- Any published volumetric evaluation shall equal the volume determined by the ISO procedure within ±3%.
- Volumes