ISO 6405-2:2017

Overview

ISO 6405-2:2017 - "Earth-moving machinery - Symbols for operator controls and other displays - Part 2" standardizes graphical symbols for specific machines, equipment and accessories used on operator controls, panels and displays of earth‑moving machinery (as defined by ISO 6165). It is the machine‑specific companion to ISO 6405-1 (common symbols) and cross‑references symbol databases ISO 7000 and IEC 60417.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and coverage: Symbol sets for many machine classes and accessories (stabilizers, outriggers, clamshell buckets, grapples, dozers, graders, excavators, loaders, trenchers, winches, HDD machines, counterweights, etc.).
• Graphical rules: Symbols shall be used in the forms shown unless otherwise specified. They follow IEC/ISO graphical principles (IEC 80416-1, ISO 80416-2, IEC 80416-3) for creation, arrows and application.
• Display and reproduction:
  • Sizing and legibility must follow IEC 80416-3 guidance; symbols are presented within the 75 mm square corner-mark pattern for consistent scaling.
  • Contrast guidance: white/light on dark or dark on light to ensure visibility; cast or embossed symbols must be visually distinct without reliance on color.
  • Orientation rules: side‑views assume right‑to‑left motion; overhead views assume bottom‑to‑top unless specified otherwise.
• Color semantics (illuminated displays):
  • Red = failure/serious malfunction or condition requiring immediate attention.
  • Yellow/amber = condition outside normal operating limits.
  • Green = normal operating condition.
• Adaptation for digital icons: Guidance for converting symbols to pixelated icons for reconfigurable displays (follow ISO 80416-4) while preserving visual impression.
• Development and registration: Procedures for developing new symbols (search ISO 7000/IEC 60417 first) and including descriptions for standardization and potential ISO/IEC registration.

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO 6405-2:2017:

• OEMs and controls manufacturers designing operator consoles, dashboards and HMIs for earth‑moving machinery.
• Human‑machine interface (HMI) and industrial designers converting symbols to digital icons.
• Product safety engineers and compliance professionals ensuring consistent, internationally recognizable control markings.
• Training developers, operators and maintenance teams who rely on standard symbols for clear, language‑independent communication.
• Regulatory and procurement bodies specifying ergonomics and safety labeling in contracts or conformity assessments.

Practical benefits:

• Improves operator understanding and safety through consistent, internationally recognized symbols.
• Reduces localization costs by replacing words with standardized graphical symbols.
• Facilitates uniform HMI design across machine types and manufacturers.

Related standards

• ISO 6405-1:2017 - common symbols for multiple machine types
• ISO 6165 - earth‑moving machinery basic types, terms and definitions
• ISO 7000 / IEC 60417 - databases of registered graphical symbols
• IEC/ISO 80416 series - principles and guidelines for graphical symbols and digital icons

Keywords: ISO 6405-2:2017, earth-moving machinery symbols, operator controls, graphical symbols, digital display icons, ISO 6405 series, ISO 7000, IEC 60417, ISO 80416, machinery safety.