ANSI/ASAE S515 JAN1993 (R2008)

Pallet Load Transfer System for Vegetable Harvesters,

Shuttle Vehicles, and Road Trucks

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ANSI/ASAE S515 JAN1993 (R2008)
Approved January 1994; reaffirmed February 2008 as an American National Standard
Pallet Load Transfer System for Vegetable Harvesters,
Shuttle Vehicles, and Road Trucks
Developed by the ASAE Fruit and Vegetable Production Engineering
Committee; approved by the ASAE Power and Machinery Division
Standards Committee; adopted by ASAE January 1993; approved as an
American National Standard January 1994; revised editorially November
1994; reaffirmed by ASAE December 1997; reaffirmed by ANSI
November 1998, February 2003; reaffirmed by ASAE February 2003;
reaffirmed by ASABE and ANSI February 2008.
Keywords: Conveyor, Guarding, Harvesters, Pallet, Safety, Truck,
Vegetable, Vehicles
1 Purpose and scope
1.1 The purpose of this Standard is to ensure compatibility between all
vehicles used in a palletized load transfer system for vegetables. This
Standard applies to vegetable harvesters, field shuttle vehicles, trailers,
over-the-road trucks, and yard facilities used in such a system. Typical
vehicles are shown in figure 1. Various manufacturers, vehicle leasing
companies, and growers need to interchange and mate up their
respective equipment; thus the need for standardization. The system is
used to transfer entire pallet loads from one vehicles conveyor to
another conveyor. Only those dimensions and specifications needed to
ensure the successful transfer are included.
1.1.1 The load transfer system is used to transfer a palletized load of
produce cartons on a standard Grocery Manufacturers Association,
GMA, pallet, 1016 1219 mm (40 48 in.), or other pallets with one
dimension of 1219 mm (48 in.), or ISO pallets with one dimension of
1200 mm. Although the system has not yet been used with agricultural
pallet bins with one dimension of 1200 mm it is designed to be
compatible with them also.
1.1.2 The powered conveyors that are built into each harvester, vehicle,
and yard facility within the system are all covered by this Standard.
1.1.3 The mating parts for aligning the conveyors to ensure proper
transfer are covered.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in
this text, constitute provisions of this Standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision,
and parties to agreements based on this Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standards indicated below. Standards organizations maintain registers of
currently valid standards.
ANSI/ASAE S318.10 DEC92, Safety for Agricultural Equipment
ANSI/ASAE 493 DEC92, Guarding for Agricultural Equipment
ASAE S335.4, Operator Controls on Agricultural Equipment
ASAE EP363.1 DEC92, Technical Publications for Agricultural Equipment
ASAE S441, Safety Signs
ASAE EP443, Color Coding Hand Controls
3 Powered conveyor specifications
3.1 The conveyor shall be two pallet lines wide. Each pallet line shall be
1240 to 1245 mm (48.8 to 49.0 in.) from conveyor centerline to the inside
of the required outside guide rail as shown in figure 2. The outside guide
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S515 JAN1993 R2008
(shown in figure 2) should restrain the pallet at the pallet bottom and only
extend above the top of the outer carry chain 16 to 22 mm (0.63 to 0.87
in.).
3.2 The powered conveyor shall use a minimum of four powered chains;
two minimum per each pallet line to carry the pallets. It is recommended
that both the head and tail shafts be common to both pallet lines. If only
two chains per pallet are used, they should be near the outer edges of
the pallet; 1140 to 1160 mm (45.0 to 45.7 in.) between chains as shown
in figure 2. If more chains are used, it is recommended they be spaced
to lie centered underneath a pallet bottom board. Optionally a support bar
may be located 13 mm (0.5 in.) below the center pallet board. Such bars
are intended to support a broken or weak pallet without creating
excessive drag. If the system is used with ISO pallets or bins (which are
narrower than GMA pallets), then the center guide shown is required.
The guide will keep the narrower ISO pallets and bins on top of the carry
chains. The center guide is recommended for GMA pallets as well.
3.3 The deck top (see figure 2) shall be a minimum of 38 mm (1.5 in.)
below the carrying surface of the chains to prevent sagging pallets from
dragging. It should be continuous grating and/or plate without breaks or
large holes to prevent broken pallet boards from catching or jamming.
3.4 It is recommended that the outside chain be 6 mm (0.25 in.) higher
than the center chain to tilt the pallets slightly toward each other to
stabilize the cartons.
3.5 It is recommended that the conveyor speed be adjustable between
15 and 27 m/min (50 and 90 ft/min) and powered in both the load and
unload directions.
3.6 The top of the conveyor chains, as shown in figure 1, shall be the
following height above the ground:
for harvesters, 1346 to 1422 mm (53 to 56 in.) unloaded;
for field shuttle vehicles, an adjustment means such as hydraulic
rams or other means shall be provided to adjust the height from
1220 to 1422 mm (48 to 56 in.). The left and right side lift means
shall be independently controlled. This is required to allow for the
unevenness of field conditions;
for trailers and over-the-road trucks, measured with a full load,
1320 to 1372 mm (52 to 54 in.).
4 Conveyor alignment means
4.1 The conveyors on different vehicles or structures are to be held in
alignment by means of two horns and two sockets. As shown in figure 1,
the mating of the horns and sockets will align the conveyors for proper
load transfer.
4.1.1 The harvesters or stationary yard conveyors shall be equipped with
two sockets.
4.1.2 The over-the-road trucks shall be equipped with two sockets.
4.1.3 Any shuttle vehicle or field truck in the system shall be equipped
with two horns on at least one end. In addition, if feasible, it is
recommended they be equipped with two horns on the other end.
4.1.4 Trailers shall have two sockets on the tail end and optionally two
sockets on the head end.
4.1.5 An adapter horn for use with two sockets allows for aligning two
harvesters or other socket to socket connection. The adapter is shown in
figure 3.
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 Figure 1 Load transfer system on typical vehicles

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 Figure 2 Conveyor cross section
4.2 The socket and horn shall conform to the dimensions shown in
figures 4 and 5. The outside tapered point of the horn guides the horn
entrance into the socket. The backside taper prevents jamming and
bending due to angular misalignment between vehicles.
4.3 The horn mounting plate and socket face should be as close as
practical to the end of the carry chain to enable full transfer of the last
pallets. The recommended dimensions are shown in figure 1. If the
recommended dimensions are exceeded, then rollers or other extended
support shall be inserted to ensure complete transfer of the last pallets.
4.4 In the horizontal plane, the horn and socket shall be centered with
the conveyor and positioned 1016 mm (40 in.) center to center as shown
in figure 1.
4.5 The horn centerline shall be 178 to 184 mm (7.0 to 7.25 in.) below
the top of the inner chains. The harvester socket centerline shall be 178
to 210 mm (7.0 to 8.25 in.) below the top of the inner chains with the
recommended dimension between 203 and 210 mm (8.0 to 8.25 in.). The
recommended dimension creates about a 25 mm (1 in.) drop while
transferring from the harvester. The drop from the harvester (shown in
figure 1 between the vehicles) helps ensure complete transfers.
Transfers between other conveyors in the system usually take place on
roads or yards where they are more apt to be level, and thus the drop is
not necessary.
5 Safety and guarding
5.1 Guarding of all moving parts on the conveyors shall be as specified
in ANSI/ASAE S493 and also in accordance with any governmental
regulations. The nip points on all chain, belt, or gear drives and also all
revolving shafts shall be guarded.
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S515 JAN1993 R2008
5.2 The design of the lift called for on the field truck or shuttle vehicle
(see figure 1) shall be such that no accessible pinch points are created
when lifting or lowering the conveyor. Lift locks per ANSI/ASAE S318
shall be provided.
5.3 The controls for the right side lift, left side lift, and conveyor chain
drive shall be in accordance with ASAE S335. They shall be accessible
from an operator positioned on the ground and clear of the wheels and
all moving parts.
5.3.1 Recommended harvester control position is left-hand side at the
socket end of the vehicle.
5.3.2 Recommended truck or shuttle vehicle control position is right
hand (passenger side) at the horn end of the vehicle.
5.3.3 It is recommended that both vehicles be able to be controlled by
one person during the normal transfer operation.
5.3.4 All controls shall be clearly labeled in appropriate languages and
shall be color coded per ASAE EP443.
5.4 The equipment shall meet all applicable safety provisions of ANSI/
ASAE S318.
5.5 It is recommended that the owners manual or instruction manual for
any machinery manufactured for this transfer system follow ASAE
EP363.
5.6 Safety warning signs regarding pinch points, possible danger from a
lowering vehicle, removal of guards, and any other hazards shall follow
ASAE S441.
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 Figure 3 Adapter horn (for use with two sockets)

Figure 4 Socket (for harvesters and trailers)

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 Figure 5 Horn (for truck or shuttle vehicle)

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