Overview
EN ISO 5395-1:2013/A1:2018 is a CEN-endorsed amendment to ISO 5395-1 that adds Annex G - Vibration test code for garden equipment. It specifies methods for measuring hand–arm vibration and whole‑body vibration caused by combustion‑engine‑powered lawnmowers (pedestrian‑controlled and ride‑on machines). The amendment was approved by CEN in 2017 and published as EN ISO 5395-1:2013/A1:2018 (May/July 2018).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of Annex G: Test code for determining vibration magnitudes at handles, steering controls, sulkies and operator seats under defined test conditions.
- Measurement axes and transducer placement:
- Hand‑arm vibration: x, y, z directions with transducer placed as close as possible to the grip between thumb and index finger (examples shown in figures).
- Ride‑on steering: radial (x), tangential (y) and orthogonal (z) directions; whole‑body axes follow an anatomical coordinate system (x back→chest, y right→left, z feet→head).
- Magnitude and weighting:
- Vibration magnitude expressed as frequency‑weighted RMS acceleration (m/s²) using the weighting of ISO 5349‑1 for hand‑transmitted vibration.
- Combination of axes uses the vector sum: a_hv = sqrt(a_hwx^2 + a_hwy^2 + a_hwz^2).
- Minimum measurement duration for hand‑arm tests: not less than 8 s.
- Instrumentation and calibration:
- Measurement systems to comply with ISO 8041 (instrumentation) and calibration per ISO 16063.
- Tachometers: accuracy ±2.5 %.
- Test preparation and configurations:
- Tests on new production machines with standard manufacturer equipment and servicing.
- All cutting means and attachments producing highest vibration must be tested.
- Engine warm‑up: run engine for minimum 10 minutes with cutting means engaged.
- Cylinder mower checks: lubrication and cutting gap or ability to cut 80 g/m² Kraft paper; gap tolerance ≤ 0.15 mm.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: lawnmower and garden‑equipment manufacturers, test laboratories, conformity‑assessment bodies, safety engineers, and certification organizations.
- Practical uses:
- Design validation to reduce operator vibration exposure.
- Laboratory testing to support CE marking and conformity to Machinery Directive requirements (see Annex ZA relationship to Directive 2006/42/EC).
- Risk assessment, product development and benchmarking of pedestrian and ride‑on lawnmowers.
Related standards
- ISO 5349‑1 - hand‑transmitted vibration weighting and evaluation
- ISO 8041 - measuring instrumentation for human vibration
- ISO 16063 - calibration of vibration measuring instruments
- EN 1032:2003+A1:2008 - referenced for ride‑on measurement specifics
This amendment provides standardized, reproducible procedures for assessing operator vibration on combustion‑engine lawnmowers, helping manufacturers and test labs measure and mitigate vibration risks.
