TS ISO 6405-1

TS ISO 6405-1 defines common symbols for operator controls and other displays on earth-moving machinery. In practical terms, it addresses the graphical symbols used to identify machine functions in a language-neutral way, helping operators read control layouts and status or warning indications more quickly and consistently. The standard is intended for earth-moving machinery as defined in ISO 6165, and it may also be applied to other self-propelled work machines.

Why common symbols matter on machine controls

Symbols on heavy equipment often work alongside, or instead of, text labels to show what a control does, which direction it acts in, or what state a display is indicating. In the general technical context of off-road machinery, this visual approach supports faster recognition, reduces dependence on language, and helps create consistency across different machine types and brands. That consistency is especially valuable in cab layouts where space is limited and operators may work in mixed-language environments.

What this document covers in practice

• Common symbols for earth-moving machinery defined in ISO 6165
• Graphical symbols intended for operator controls
• Symbols for other displays and indication areas
• Applicability extended to other self-propelled work machines operating off public roads

This listing is tied to TS ISO 6405-1 and Amendment 1, so it should be understood as the standard family entry for that edition rather than a separate standalone vocabulary of new symbols. For users, the key point is that it belongs to the common-symbol framework used for machine operator interfaces.