SURFACE VEHICLE J89™ AUG2024
STANDARD Issued 1973-07
Reaffirmed 1995-06
Revised 2024-08
Superseding J89 NOV2018
Dynamic Cushioning Performance Criteria for Snowmobile Seats
RATIONALE
There is a need to clarify the recording equipment and recording filter/sampling rate. The scope was clarified with the transfer
of text into the purpose section.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 Applicable Documents .................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1.1 SAE Publications........................................................................................................................................... 2
3. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 2
4. DYNAMIC CUSHIONING TESTING METHOD ............................................................................................ 3
4.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
4.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
5. EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................................... 6
5.1 Data ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.2 Chart Usage .................................................................................................................................................. 6
6. NOTES .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Revision Indicator.......................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 1 Dynamic testing apparatus ........................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2 Typical G-time trace ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3 Seat impact form ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 4 Seat evaluation chart .................................................................................................................................... 7
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Executive Standards Committee 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 revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2024 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, or used for text and data mining, AI training, or similar technologies, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA) For more information on this standard, visit
Fax: 724-776-0790
Email: [email protected] https://www.sae.org/standards/content/J89_202408
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 2 of 8
1. SCOPE
This SAE Standard provides a test method, an evaluation method, and a performance criterion for shock-absorbing
characteristics of a general foam-type snowmobile seat. This SAE Standard applies to seats that are similar in design,
dimensions, construction, and/or intended usage as described and illustrated in SAE J33.
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to facilitate the development of seats used on snowmobiles to minimize occupant spinal
injury during impacts of:
a. The occupant on the snowmobile seat
b. The snowmobile and seat on the occupant
Operators and passengers of snowmobiles can be subjected to high levels of impact with the snowmobile seat under riding
conditions. This document was developed to identify the cushioning properties of snowmobile seats.
This document encompasses the significant factors that determine the effectiveness of a general seat system in limiting
spinal injury during vertical impacts between the rider and the snowmobile seat. The document is intended to provide a tool
for the development of safer snowmobile seats. It is recognized that the seat is only a portion of the entire vehicle protective
suspension system. The seat serves as added protection to the suspension system since the latter may “bottom out” during
a severe impact.
The term “seat” refers to the occupant-supporting system, as described and illustrated in SAE J33, which is not normally
considered part of the vehicle suspension or frame system. In some cases, it may include more than the foam cushion.
This document provides the minimum requirements for performance of a general seat system and a description of specific
means of evaluating the shock-absorbing characteristics of foam seat cushions using a specific testing procedure and a
companion seat evaluation chart.
The test input and means of interpreting the results are unique to the seats of typical recreational snowmobiles. Therefore,
this document is to be used for snowmobile seats only and is not to be used to evaluate seats of any other type of vehicle.
In addition, it should not be applied to seats of snow vehicles of significantly different design, dimensions, construction, or
intended usage from the typical recreational snowmobile illustrated in SAE J33.
2. REFERENCES
2.1 Applicable Documents
The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the
latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.
2.1.1 SAE Publications
Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA
and Canada) or +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.
SAE J33 Snowmobile Definitions and Nomenclature
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 SNOWMOBILE SEAT
The seat includes the cover, energy-absorbing materials, and substrates (if any).
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 3 of 8
3.2 BASELINE
The baseline is the starting reference plane of the seat from which total penetration is determined. It is taken as the top
plane of the seat at the fore-aft position designated for the snowmobile occupant(s).
3.3 G
Symbol for the dimensionless ratio of any acceleration to the acceleration of gravity.
3.4 tp
Time duration impact to peak deceleration, in milliseconds.
3.5 th
Time duration from impact to 1/2 value of peak deceleration, in milliseconds.
4. DYNAMIC CUSHIONING TESTING METHOD
4.1 Purpose
This procedure provides a uniform method for measuring, with a high degree of reproducibility, dynamic cushioning
properties such as the deceleration-time history profile of a standard buttocks form (“missile”) impacting seat test specimens.
The results from this testing method can be related to the performance requirements necessary to limit spinal injury to
snowmobile riders and passengers.
4.2 Apparatus
4.2.1 Testing Machine
4.2.2 Any design of dynamic testing apparatus will suffice when the following criteria are met. See Figure 1.
4.2.2.1 The weighted missile can be held in readiness for impact, released upon command, and guided to the point
of impact.
4.2.2.2 The test specimen should be supported on a foundation which under impact will not deflect more than 1% of the
thickness of the specimen.
4.2.2.3 The deceleration-time profile, as illustrated in Figure 2, can be read out and recorded on an instrument, such as
an oscilloscope, starting at the time of initial contact of the missile on the seat.
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 4 of 8
Figure 1 - Dynamic testing apparatus
Figure 2 - Typical G-time trace
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 5 of 8
4.2.3 Sending Devices
4.2.3.1 The missile shall be equipped with an accelerometer system that shall be capable of measuring single impacts
of short duration (less than 0.105 second) in the 5 to 100 g range with an accuracy of ±2% throughout the duration
of the pulse.
4.2.3.2 A penetration measuring device, or some other means, is required to determine the exact starting time of the
penetration. A velocity measuring device shall be used for measuring the impacting velocity of the missile if the
missile is not totally free to fall under the influence of gravity.
4.2.4 Missile
The missile shall be a rigid segment of a hemisphere; the sphere having a radius of 245 mm (9.65 inches) and the segment
having a radius of 178 mm (7 inches). See Figure 3. The top surface of the missile must be designed to accommodate
weights to provide total missile mass capability of 90.7 kg (200 pounds).
4.2.5 Recording Equipment
The acceleration-time recording equipment should be capable of recording impacts compatible with the accuracy of the
accelerometer. Some type of triggering device will be necessary for the recording device.
A low pass filter that accurately represents all frequency content of the analog signal below the 150 Hz cutoff frequency.
The minimum sample frequency shall be 500 Hz. The frequency response of the acceleration sensor shall minimally be
200 Hz.
4.2.6 Test Specimen
Any seat, or supporting component, for which dynamic cushioning data is desired. At least two specimens shall be tested
for each set of conditions. The specimens shall be conditioned at 21 °C ± 6 °C (70 °F ± 10 °F) for a minimum of 8 hours
prior to testing.
If the test specimen is attached to a gas tank or structure (other than lying flat on a flat tunnel), it shall be attached to a
fixture simulating the identical mounting as it is in the snowmobile it is intended for. If it is attached to a gas tank in the
snowmobile, then the fixture shall include a gas tank. The gas tank used in the fixture shall be a production gas tank, empty
of fluid, and cannot be more than 3 years old.
Figure 3 - Seat impact form
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 6 of 8
4.3 Procedure
4.3.1 Prewarm the recording equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.
4.3.2 Place the test specimen in position under the missile such that the designated driver seating position, as defined in
SAE J33, coincides with the center of the missile. The mass of the missile shall total 90.7 kg (200 pounds).
4.3.3 Determine the baseline by contacting the specimen with the missile and adjust the recording apparatus to read
zero penetration.
4.3.4 Set the missile propelling mechanism at a position to obtain the desired impact velocity of 3.15 m/s (124 in/s)
(equivalent to 500 mm [20 inches] free fall) at the impact surface of the specimen.
4.3.5 Calibrate the G-time recorder according to the recommended procedure of the manufacturer.
4.3.6 Release the missile and record the acceleration-time profile using the recommended procedures of the equipment
manufacturer. Three consecutive strikes shall be made at a maximum of 2-minute intervals on the same
impact area.
4.3.7 Each designated passenger seating position (if the snowmobile is designed for passengers), as defined in SAE J33,
and each designated seating position of the operator shall be tested.
5. EVALUATION
The following procedure shall be applied to each designated seating position.
5.1 Data
Using the deceleration time, trace from the third impact on each of the specimens, record the peak deceleration (point C),
the time from impact to peak deceleration (point tp), and the time from impact to 1/2 peak deceleration (point th) for the
designated seating position. Calculate and record the average value for C, tp, and th. Using these average values, calculate
and record the percent distortion using Equation 1:
2t h − t p
% distortion = × 100% (Eq. 1)
tp
5.2 Chart Usage
On the seat evaluation chart (see Figure 4), plot the previous calculated average values of peak deceleration (C) and time
from impact to peak deceleration (tp). If this point lies above the 90% distortion line, the seat fails. If the point lies below the
30% distortion line, the seat passes. If the data point lies within the region of 30 to 90% distortion, then the point must be
evaluated with respect to its calculated percent distortion. If the data point lies above its distortion value, the seat fails. If the
data point lies below its distortion value, the seat passes.
As an example of the previous procedure:
tp = 40 ms
th = 30 ms
Gmax = 35 g
Then see Equation 2:
2 (30) − 40
% distortion = × 100% = 50%
40 (Eq. 2)
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 7 of 8
Plotting 35 g at 40 ms on Figure 4 indicates the data point falls above its distortion curve. Therefore, the seat fails. If Gmax
had been below 35 g, the seat would have passed.
Based on the first paragraph of this section, the following information shall be reported in the test report:
1. Scatter plot of average C (or Gmax) versus tp
2. Data table
3. The following summary:
a. State whether any data points lie above the 90% distortion line and indicate a seat failure.
b. State whether any data points lie below the 30% distortion line and indicate a seat pass.
c. State whether any data lie in the region of the 30 to 90% distortion line and the calculated percent distortion lie
above its distortion value, which indicates a seat failure.
d. State whether any data lie in the region of the 30 to 90% distortion line and the calculated percent distortion lie
below its distortion value, which indicates a seat pass.
NOTE: The particular procedure described previously is not applicable to seats giving rise to deceleration pulses of shapes
radically different from that shown in Figure 2. The specific method of seat evaluation described in this section is
generally applicable to foam seat cushions.
Figure 4 - Seat evaluation chart
SAE INTERNATIONAL J89™ AUG2024 Page 8 of 8
6. NOTES
6.1 Revision Indicator
A change bar (I) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions, not
editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this document. An (R) symbol to the left of the document title
indicates a complete revision of the document, including technical revisions. Change bars and (R) are not used in original
publications, nor in documents that contain editorial changes only.
PREPARED BY SAE SNOWMOBILE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
