This SAE Recommended Practice establishes the instrumentation and procedure to be used in measuring the operator ear sound level for engine powered equipment under 15 kW (20 bhp). The sound levels obtained by using this procedure are representative of the sound levels generated by the equipment under typical operating conditions. It is intended to include equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, and tillers. It is not intended to include equipment designed primarily for operation on highways or within factories or buildings, or vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, and pleasure motorboats that are covered by other SAE Standards or Recommended Practices.

This procedure does not cover chain saws.

This SAE Recommended Practice may also be used when measuring the operator ear sound level of similar equipment powered by electricity or other power sources.