ISO ASE Controls

[MikePhua]

Background on ISO and SAE Control Patterns
Heavy equipment such as excavators and backhoes use specific joystick control layouts to manage boom, stick (or dipper), bucket, and swing functions. Two of the most common patterns are known as ISO controls and SAE controls (sometimes spelled ASE in informal conversation). These patterns are standardized by organizations like ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers).
ISO and SAE layouts have been used widely for decades. Manufacturers, operators, and rental companies often need to decide which pattern to use, or allow operators to switch between them. Some modern machines are even equipped with a switch in the cab to change between patterns.
Explanation of Terms

• Boom: The main lifting arm of an excavator; provides vertical reach.
  
• Stick / Dipper: The section after the boom; extends or retracts to reach forward or nearer.
  
• Bucket: The digging or scooping attachment at the end of the stick.
  
• Swing / House: The upper structure of an excavator that rotates left or right.
  
• Joystick / Lever: The control handles inside the cab that allow the operator to move boom, stick, bucket, and swing.
  

ISO Control Pattern
In the ISO layout:

• Left joystick (lever) controls:
  • Swing left / right by moving stick left or right.
  • Stick (dipper) forward (extend away) when pushed forward; stick backward (retract toward) when pulled back.
  
• Right joystick controls:
  • Boom up when pull back; boom down when push forward.
  • Bucket curl in (closing) when joystick moved left; bucket dump out when moved right.
  

This pattern is widely used internationally, often considered more “natural” by many operators because the motion of the arms aligns better with what the operator expects when digging or swinging.
SAE Control Pattern
In the SAE layout:

• Left joystick controls:
  • Boom up when pulled back; boom down when pushed forward.
  • Swing left/right by joystick left/right motion.
  
• Right joystick controls:
  • Stick (dipper) forward (extend) when joystick pushed forward; retract toward the machine when pulled back.
  • Bucket curl in (closing) when moved left; bucket dump when moved right.
  

SAE is more common in some regions (particularly North America), especially among operators who learned on backhoe loaders or similar machines before working on large excavators.
Operator Preference and Productivity
Many discussions among equipment operators show that preference for ISO or SAE often comes down to what one is used to. Some key points:

• Operators who have spent years using one pattern often find it disorienting to switch: muscle memory causes hesitation or mistakes until comfort is regained.
  
• Companies with mixed fleets sometimes standardize controls (e.g. converting equipment to one pattern) or invest in machines with changeable patterns so that every operator can work more comfortably.
  
• Some believe one pattern is more “intuitive” (often ISO) especially for newer operators, but others prefer SAE, especially when switching from backhoe or loader-type machines.
  

In terms of measurable productivity: there is no clear, consistent evidence that one pattern yields substantially better output over the other once the operator is well-practiced. Comfort, safety, reduced error, and fewer mis-movements matter more.
Switching Patterns and Machine Setup

• Many newer excavators/backhoes have a mechanical or electro-hydraulic selector (a switch or lever, or reconfigured valve assembly) that allows pattern change. It might require changing hoses or reconfiguring the valve in older machines.
  
• Always check the operator’s manual to see if your machine supports switching, and what parts or labor will be involved.
  

Safety Considerations

• When operating a machine, always confirm which control pattern is active before making large movements; moving the boom instead of the stick can cause damage or accidents.
  
• New operators should practice slow and deliberate movements until they are comfortable.
  
• Machine labels often include diagrams indicating the control pattern to avoid operator error.
  

Anecdote from the Field
An operator in the Pacific Northwest worked for several years using SAE pattern on backhoes. When his company acquired a fleet of ISO pattern large excavators, he felt disoriented—initially mixing up boom and stick controls during trenching operations. After about a week of operating in the ISO configuration, he regained confidence and eventually preferred ISO because he felt boom up / down felt more natural being on the right stick. His productivity returned to normal, with no loss of safety incidents.
Standards and Documentation

• ISO 10968 is a standard that specifies operator control-functions for earth-moving machinery.
  
• SAE J1177 and SAE J1814 are American standards relating to hydraulic excavator operator controls and off-road machines.
  

Conclusions
Choosing between ISO and SAE control patterns is largely one of comfort, training, and safety rather than purely technical performance. Both control systems accomplish the same motion functions; difference lies in which hand/joystick controls which function. Operators should be aware of which pattern they are trained on, how their machines are configured, and whether pattern switches are possible. For fleet managers, standardizing or providing changeable pattern machines can reduce mistakes, improve safety, and increase operator satisfaction.