A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
A-Frame
A structural frame shaped like the letter ‘A’, used in piling rigs and cranes to provide stability and support for the mast or boom. It distributes loads efficiently to the base of the machine.
Articulated Dump Truck (ADT)
An off-highway dump truck with a hinge between the cab and the dump box, allowing for greater maneuverability on rough terrain compared to rigid frame trucks.
Autonomous Heavy Machinery
Construction and industrial machines that use AI, sensors, and digital twin technology to operate with little or no human intervention. They are key to precision and safety in modern job sites.
B
Borewell Rig
A specialized drilling machine used to create deep, narrow holes in the ground to access underground water sources. It typically uses a rotary drilling method with compressed air or drilling mud.
Boom
The long, extendable arm of a crane or excavator used to lift, lower, and position loads. On mobile cranes, it is often telescopic.
C
Cetane Number
A measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel. A higher cetane number indicates shorter ignition delay, resulting in smoother engine operation, reduced emissions, and easier cold starts.
Crawler Crane
A heavy-duty mobile crane mounted on an undercarriage with a set of tracks (crawlers). These provide excellent stability and mobility on soft, uneven ground without the need for outriggers.
CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America)
An independent trade association that publishes specifications and standards for the design, manufacturing, and inspection of overhead traveling cranes in North America.
D
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
A non-toxic solution (32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water) injected into the exhaust stream of diesel engines equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce harmful NOx emissions.
Digital Twin
A real-time, virtual representation of a physical object or process, such as a crane or production line. It is used for simulation, monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Double Girder EOT Crane
An Electric Overhead Traveling Crane with two bridge girders. This design provides higher load capacity and greater hook height, making it ideal for heavy-duty industrial applications.
E
Electro-Hydraulic Grab
A type of grab bucket where the opening and closing mechanism is powered by an electro-hydraulic power unit, offering high precision and force for bulk material handling.
EOT Crane
Electric Overhead Traveling Crane. A type of bridge crane consisting of parallel runways with a traveling bridge spanning the gap. Used extensively in factories, warehouses, and steel mills for lifting heavy materials.
Excavator
A heavy construction machine consisting of a boom, dipper (stick), bucket, and cab on a rotating platform. It is used for digging, demolition, material handling, and heavy lifting.
F
Fuel Additive
A chemical compound added to fuel to improve its properties. Common types include cetane boosters for diesel, injector cleaners, and fuel stabilizers, all of which enhance engine performance and longevity.
Fuel Consumption Rate
The amount of fuel a machine uses over a specific period, typically measured in liters per hour (L/hr). A critical metric for calculating operational costs and project estimates.
G
Grab Bucket
A mechanical or hydraulic attachment for a crane or excavator used to handle bulk materials such as scrap metal, ore, coal, or waste. It consists of two or more clamshell-style jaws that close to scoop material.
Ground Bearing Pressure (GBP)
The pressure exerted on the ground by the tracks or outriggers of a heavy machine. Calculating GBP is crucial to prevent bogging or collapse, especially when using crawler cranes on unstable soil.
H
Hill Drilling Rig
A compact and adaptable drilling machine designed for the challenging, uneven terrain of mountainous or hilly regions, often used for water well drilling and geotechnical investigation.
Hydra Crane
A common name in South Asia for a pick-and-carry mobile crane. It is designed to lift a load and travel with it over short distances, known for its versatility and compact size.
Hydraulic Excavator
A heavy construction machine powered by hydraulic systems. It is the most common type of excavator on job sites, known for its power and versatility with various attachments.
Hydraulic Oil Viscosity
A measure of a hydraulic fluid’s resistance to flow. Using the correct viscosity grade (e.g., ISO VG 46) is critical for maintaining pump efficiency and preventing wear in heavy machinery.
I
Industrial Lubricant
Specialized oils, greases, and fluids designed to reduce friction and wear in heavy machinery. They are formulated with specific additives to handle extreme pressures and high temperatures.
ISO VG (Viscosity Grade)
An international standard (ISO 3448) for classifying industrial lubricants based on their kinematic viscosity at 40°C. ISO VG 46 is a common grade for many hydraulic systems.
J
No common heavy machinery terms beginning with ‘J’. Return to Top ↑
K
Kelly Bar
A square, telescoping drive shaft used on rotary drilling rigs (piling rigs) to transmit rotational torque and downward crowd force from the rotary drive to the drilling tool.
L
Load Chart
A critical operator’s diagram on a crane that outlines its lifting capacity in relation to its configuration, such as boom angle and radius. It is essential for safe operation.
M
Mechanical Grab
A grab bucket operated by wire ropes that force the jaws closed. It is a simple, robust solution for handling bulk materials, commonly found on lattice boom cranes.
N
NLGI Grade
A scale developed by the National Lubricating Grease Institute to classify the consistency (hardness) of grease. NLGI 2 is the most common grade for general machinery bearings.
O
Outrigger
Extendable legs or stabilizers on a mobile crane that are deployed to increase the machine’s footprint and provide a stable base for lifting operations, preventing tip-overs.
P
Pick and Carry Crane
A type of mobile crane, like the Hydra crane, designed to lift a suspended load and travel with it. This function is the basis of its name and its primary operational advantage.
Piling Rig
A specialized machine used to drill or drive piles (steel, concrete, or timber) into the ground to create deep foundations for buildings, bridges, and other large structures.
Q
No common heavy machinery terms beginning with ‘Q’. Return to Top ↑
R
Rough Terrain Crane (RT Crane)
A mobile crane mounted on an undercarriage with four large rubber tires, designed for off-road, “pick and carry” operations on rugged, uneven job sites. It steers via crab steering and rear-wheel steering.
S
Safe Working Load (SWL)
The maximum mass or force that a piece of lifting equipment is rated to support in a particular configuration. It is a crucial safety parameter for all lifting operations.
Single Girder EOT Crane
An Electric Overhead Traveling Crane with a single bridge beam. The hoist trolley typically runs on the bottom flange. It is a cost-effective solution for light to medium capacity applications up to about 20 tons.
T
Torque (Drilling)
The rotational force applied to a drill string or auger, measured in kNm. Sufficient torque is essential for overcoming ground resistance when drilling pile foundations.
U
Undercarriage
The supporting framework of a tracked vehicle (like a crawler crane or excavator) that includes the track frame, drive sprockets, idlers, rollers, and tracks.
Underslung Crane
An overhead crane whose end trucks run on the bottom flange of the runway beam, rather than on the top. This design maximizes hook height and is ideal for buildings with limited headroom.
V
Viscosity Index (VI)
A measure of how much an oil’s viscosity changes with temperature. A higher VI indicates the oil maintains its protective film strength better across a wide temperature range.
W
Working Load Limit (WLL)
The maximum load a piece of lifting equipment is authorized to support in general service. This modern term is preferred over SWL in many new standards (e.g., ASME B30).
X
No common heavy machinery terms beginning with ‘X’. Return to Top ↑
Y
No common heavy machinery terms beginning with ‘Y’. Return to Top ↑
Z
Zerk Fitting (Grease Nipple)
A small metal fitting installed at bearing points. A grease gun attaches to it to inject lubricant under pressure, a common maintenance task in heavy machinery like EOT cranes.