SURFACE J742

REAF.
FEB85
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
STANDARD Issued 1957-05
Reaffirmed 1985-02

Superseding J742 OCT79

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

(R) CAPACITY RATING—LOADER BUCKET

Foreword—This Document has not changed other than to put it into the new SAE Technical Standards Board
Format.

1. Scope

1.1 This standard applies to buckets of loaders (as defined by SAE J1057a, Identification Terminology of
Earthmoving Machines).

1.2 This method applies primarily to buckets having parallel sides and a cutting edge parallel to the top edge of the
back sheet. Moderately clipped back sheet corners will introduce no appreciable errors. Bucket teeth, tooth
adapters, as well as other similar local discontinuities are ignored.

a. Interpretation of irregular shaped cutting edges is identified in paragraph 4.4.

b. Interpretation of irregular shaped side sheets is identified in paragraph 4.5.

1.3 Purpose—The purpose of this standard is to provide a uniform method for determining the SAE struck
capacity and rated capacity. The volume calculations used result in a realistically conservative heaped
volume. The calculations are based on the inside physical dimensions of the bucket only without regard to
bucket action provided by any particular machine.

For rating purposes, a nominal heaped load with a 2:1 angle of repose is to be used with bucket orientation
dictated by the strike plane defined in paragraph 3.1. This in no way implies that the loader linkage must carry
the bucket oriented in this attitude, or that all materials will naturally have a 2:1 angle of repose.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of the specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise indicated the lastest revision of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J731—Component Nomenclature—Loader

SAE J1057—Identification Terminology of Earthmoving Machines

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”

SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.

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Copyright 1985 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 SAE J742 Reaffirmed FEB85

3. Definitions

3.1 Struck Capacity—The volume enclosed by the interior surfaces and a strike plane across the width of the
bucket. The strike plane is to rest on the cutting edge and on the uppermost portion of the back sheet. (See
SAE J731, Component Nomenclature—Loader.) The position of the strike plane for irregular shaped cutting
edges or side sheets is further defined in paragraph 4.4 or 4.5

3.2 Rated Capacity—Defined as the Struck Capacity plus an additional volume above the strike plane bounded by
2:1 slopes as described in Section 4.

3.2.1 Rated Capacity shall be expressed in cubic meters (cubic yards) and stated as the SAE rating (nominally
heaped) according to the following:

Range of rated Increments

sizes m3 (yd3) m3 (yd3)
Under 0.6 (0.8) 0.02 (0.025) or (0.7 ft3)
0.6–2.6 (0.8–3.4) 0.1 (0.13)
2.6–5 (3.4–6.5) 0.2 (0.26)
5–10 (6.5–13) 0.5 (0.65)
Over 10 (13) 1 (1.3)

3.2.2 If the calculated value falls below a given rating interval by more than 2%, the next lower interval shall be the
rating.

Example: A calculated value of 1.46 m3 (1.91 yd3) is under 1.5 m3 (1.96 yd3) by more than 2%, and
therefore, the proper rating on the basis of the measurements and calculations is 1.4 m3 (1.83 yd3).

3.2.3 The addition of any auxiliary guard to protect against spillage of material which might injure the operator will
not be included in bucket capacity calculations.

4. Calculation

4.1 Definitions

A—Cross sectional area at the center of the bucket.

W—Inside width of the bucket.
a—Height of that portion of the back sheet extending above the side cutters and measured at the center of
the bucket width normal to the strike plane.
b—Length of opening at the center of the bucket width.
c—A length required to establish the loss in volume due to the end slope conditions. This is the length of a
line drawn normal to the strike plane, from the intersection (crest) of the 2:1 slopes to the intersection
with a line drawn from the cutting edge to the junction of the leading edge of the side cutter and the
back sheet.
h—Distance measured from the intersection of the leading edge of the side cutters and the cutting edge, to
the most forward point of an irregular shaped cutting edge.

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 SAE J742 Reaffirmed FEB85

4.2 For Basic Buckets—The Struck Capacity is expressed:

V s = AW (Eq. 1)

The Rated Capacity is expressed:

2 3
VR = Vs + b W- – ------
----------- b (Eq. 2)
8 24
4.3 For Buckets with Extended Back Sheet—The Struck Capacity is expressed:
2 2
V s = AW – --- a b (Eq. 3)
3
The Rated Capacity is expressed:
2 2
b W b
V R = V s + ------------ – ------ ( a + c ) (Eq. 4)
8 6
4.4 For Buckets with Irregular Shaped Cutting Edges—The strike plane as previously defined rests on the
cutting edge; however, the irregular shaped cutting edge renders this definition impractical. The strike plane
will now lie on the uppermost portion of the back sheet and on an imaginary line drawn parallel to the top of the
back sheet at 1/3 the distance (h) of the protruding cutting edge.

Bucket calculations are made as in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 with the mid cross-section area corrected as
described in the preceding paragraph.

The Rated Capacity is expressed:

2 2
b, W b,
V R = V s + -------------- – -------- ( a + c ) (Eq. 5)
8 6
4.5 For Buckets with Irregular Shaped Side Sheets—Establish a line connecting the intersection of the leading
edge of the side sheet with the back sheet and its intersection with the cutting edge. The length of this line is x.
If all portions of the leading edge of the side sheet lie within a distance y from this line such that the ratio of x/y
is greater than 12, the bucket capacity may be calculated as specified in paragraphs 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. If the
ratio x/y is 12 or less, the SAE ratings will not be applicable.

FIGURE 1—BASIC BUCKET

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 SAE J742 Reaffirmed FEB85

FIGURE 2—BUCKET WITH EXTENDED BACK SHEET

FIGURE 3—BUCKET WITH IRREGULAR CUTTING EDGE

FIGURE 4—BUCKET WITH IRREGULAR SHAPE SIDE SHEETS

5. Notes

5.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating
areas where technical revisions have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left
of the document title indicates a complete revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE OFF-ROAD MACHINERY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

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 SAE J742 Reaffirmed FEB85

Rationale—Not applicable.

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This standard applies to buckets of loaders (as defined by SAE J1057a, Identification
Terminology of Earthmoving Machines).

This method applies primarily to buckets having parallel sides and a cutting edge parallel to the top edge
of the back sheet. Moderately clipped back sheet corners will introduce no appreciable errors. Bucket
teeth, tooth adapters, as well as other similar local discontinuities are ignored.

a. Interpretation of irregular shaped cutting edges is identified in paragraph 4.4.

b. Interpretation of irregular shaped side sheets is identified in paragraph 4.5.

Reference Section

SAE J731—Component Nomenclature—Loader

SAE J1057a—Identification Terminology of Earthmoving Machines

Developed by the SAE Off-Road Machinery Technical Committee