Overview
ISO 6011:2023 - "Earth-moving machinery - Visual display of machine operation" specifies requirements and principles for the location, visibility, information classification, characteristics and colour of visual displays used on direct-control earth-moving machinery (EMM). It covers displays and tell-tales for the operator in the intended operating position (seated, standing or pedestrian) and its principles can be applied to remote-control EMM. The standard helps manufacturers and designers present machine operational information clearly and consistently without prescribing exactly which data must be shown.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Information classification (Class A / B / C)
- Class A: information necessary for machine operation; must be continuously available with no operator action.
- Class B: information for monitoring performance/efficiency; must be available, may require operator action to display.
- Class C: other optional information; may require operator action.
- Location and visibility
- Displays must be positioned within the recommended sector of vision for the operator (seated or standing) and be recognizable from the intended operating position. Glare must be minimized and shielding/brightness adjustments used.
- Display characteristics
- Readable character and symbol sizing (guidance referenced to IEC standards), visible tell‑tales/indicators when active, and appropriate graduations for analog indicators.
- Illumination and night operation
- Visual displays must be illuminated for night or low-light viewing; contrast and background choices should reduce nighttime glare.
- Colour distinction and tell‑tale colours
- Colour choices should provide high contrast; where applicable follow ISO 6405‑1 and ISO 6405‑2 for indicator/tell‑tale colours.
- Identification and documentation
- Tell‑tales and indicators must be identified in the operator’s manual; use standardized symbols where available (ISO 6405, ISO 7000).
Practical applications
- Design and layout of instrument clusters, multifunction displays, gauges and tell‑tales on excavators, loaders, dozers, and similar EMM.
- Human‑machine interface (HMI) design to reduce operator overload and improve safety and efficiency.
- Retrofitting or specifying visibility aids for electric, hybrid and conventional machines where operational information differs (e.g., battery state of charge vs fuel level).
- Guidance for remote-control system displays that mirror operator-facing information.
Who uses this standard
- EMM manufacturers and HMI designers
- Safety and compliance engineers
- Fleet managers and OEM product teams
- Human factors specialists and ergonomists
- Standards bodies and regulators
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 6011:2023, earth-moving machinery, visual display, operator displays, tell-tale, indicator, information classification, HMI, sector of vision, display illumination.
