Learning the lingo of the aerial equipment market can be tough because of all the abbreviations and acronyms, especially if you are newer to the access industry. To promote the safe use of aerial equipment, you don’t have to be an expert, but you do need to know the basics. Below is a quick reference guide to help you learn the most common terminology, abbreviations and acronyms used in the access industry:
Unfortunately, a serious job site accident or expensive equipment damage can quickly happen if you do not fully understand the terminology being used in conversations. Becoming familiar with common aerial terms will help you build confidence, as well as credibility, working with this type of equipment — and it can help you to avoid potentially embarrassing, and perhaps costly, mistakes that could happen from using industry jargon incorrectly.
ABBREVIATION
TERMINOLOGY
MEANING
2WD
Two-Wheel Drive
drive power to only two wheels
4WD
Four-Wheel Drive
drive power to all four wheels
AC
Air Conditioning
option in some Telehandlers
AC
Alternating Current
type of electric current
AG
Agriculture
market that uses telehandlers
AWD
All-Wheel Drive
drive system which can automatically switch between 2WD and 4WD
ADE
Advanced Design Electronics
started with use of modules in Platform & Ground boxes
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
machine standards for USA
AR
As Required
quantity of an item could vary, use as many as needed
ASSY
Assembly
the connection and attachment of parts, subassemblies, and modules in a definite sequence to produce a finished machine
AUX
Auxiliary Hydraulics
a system delivers hydraulic flow from a hydraulic pump to operate auxiliary equipment or attachments
AWP
Aerial Work Platform
former industry name for Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts & Vertical Masts
BLAM
Boom Length & Angle Module
module used on Ultra booms
BLAP
Boom Length, Angle & Pressure
module used on Ultra booms
CAC
Charge Air Cooler
section of a radiator assembly
CAN
Controller Area Network
network sends signals to modules (usually seen as CANbus)
CCW
Counterclockwise
moves the opposite of how a clock works
CE
French for European Conformity
European machine standards
CM
Centimeter
Metric unit of measurement
CSA
Canadian Standards Association
machine standard for Canada
CY
Cylinder
mechanical actuator that is used to give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke
CW
Clockwise
moves the same direction as a clock
DC
Direct Current
type of electric current
DEF
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
used on T4F engines 75HP and above to temper emissions
DIA
Diameter
a straight line that passes through the center of the circle
DIM
Dimension
a measurable extent of some kind, such as length, breadth, depth or height
DPF
Diesel Particulate Filter
a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine.
DRT
Decomposition Reactor Tube
where an exhaust stream is injected with DEF
DOC
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
Type of muffler that started with T4i
DOS
Drive Orientation System
function on boom lifts affects drive when swung to one side
ECM
Engine Control Module
control unit that controls engine
ECU
Engine Control Unit
control unit that controls engine
EDC
Electrical Displacement Control
control used on hydraulic pump (ex. 70007474)
EGR
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
technique used for emissions reduction in combustion engines
EMR
Engine Module
electronic engine control system for Deutz (ex. 7027795, 70005495)
EMS
Emergency Stop
switch in platform & ground to stop machine functions
ENG
Engine
converts power into motion
ER
Engineering Revision
revision to an item
ERC
Electric Remote Control
box used with throttle actuator (ex. 0060033, 2910000)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
a list of common inquiries found on many websites
FT
Foot
Imperial unit of measurement
HOC
Hydraulic Oil Cooler
section of a radiator assembly
HRC
Higher Regulated Countries
more regulated emissions standards (USA, Canada, Europe, Japan)
HVAC
Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning
market that uses MEWPs to complete work at height
HYBRID
Hybrid
A power option that uses both a battery and an engine to power a machine
HYD
Hydraulics
use of pressurized liquids to generate, control and transmit power
ID
Inside Diameter
dimension inside a circle or ring
IN
Inch
Imperial unit of measurement
IPAF
International Powered Access Federation
industry organization
ISO
International Organization of Standards
group develops standards for products
JLG
John L. Grove
founder of JLG Industries, Inc.
JLGU
JLG University
online training site
KG
Kilogram
Metric unit of measurement
L
Liter
Metric unit of measurement
LB
Pound
Imperial unit of measurement
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display
type of display on some machines
LED
Light Emitting Diode
type of display on some machines
LH
Left Hand
Left side of part or machine
LP
Liquid Propane
alternative to gas in Dual Fuel machines
LRC
Lesser Regulated Countries
less regulated emissions standards (most besides USA, Canada, Europe, Japan)
LS
Low Sulfur
type of Diesel Fuel (used mostly outside USA, Canada, Europe, Japan)
LSS
Load Sensing System
weighs the load in the machine platform
M
Meter
Metric unit of measurement
MAP
Manifold Absolute Pressure
engine sensor measures pressure inside intake manifold
MEWP
Mobile Elevating Work Platform
new industry name for Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts & Vertical Masts
MM
Millimeter
Metric unit of measurement
MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet
document lists potential health effects of a part
NLA
No Longer Available
the part is unavailable to sell
NPD
New Product Development
team assists in creation of new machines
NSS
Not Sold Separately
part is usually available in a bigger assembly, but not separately
O2
Oxygen
sensor measures emissions
OD
Outside Diameter
dimension outside a circle or ring
OZ
Ounce
Imperial unit of measurement
PCV
Positive Crankcase Ventilation
valve to vent buildup of combustion gases in crankcase
PDC
Parts Distribution Center
a warehouse for our parts
PDI
Pre-Delivery Inspection
inspection of the machine prior to each rental or sale
PN
Part Number
the number of an item
PSI
Pounds-Per-Square-Inch
measurement for ground contact pressure
QTY
Quantity
an amount
R&D
Research & Development
JLG Department analyzes & develops new products
RAD
Radius
half of the diameter. It starts from a point on the circle, and ends at the center of the circle.
RAS
Rear Axle Stabilization
Increases stability on SkyTrak (Stabil-TRAK system) and JLG Telehandlers
REF
Reference
mention or refer to
REV
Revision
a new, amended, improved, or up-to-date version
RH
Right Hand
right side of part or machine
ROPS
Roll Over Protection Structure
Installed on Telehandler cabs for protection
RT
Rough Terrain
unimproved construction site terrain
SCR
Selective Catalytic Reduction
process in which emissions are reduced
SPEC
Specification
a detailed description of the design and materials used to make something
SN
Serial Number
the exclusive identification number of an item or machine
T4F
Tier 4 Final
emissions level of engine (final stage)
T4i
Tier 4 Interim
emissions level of engine (phase just before the final stage)
T-MAP
Temperature & Manifold Absolute Pressure
engine sensor measures temperature & pressure inside intake manifold
T/T
Turntable
the turntable of a boom lift
UGM
Universal Ground Module
now used on boom lifts in most Ground Control boxes
ULS
Ultra-Low Sulfur
type of Diesel Fuel (USA, Canada, Europe, Japan)
V
Volts
unit of electric force
W
Watts
unit of electric power
Interested in learning more? JLG® training can provide you with the information you need to know about the aerial industry, bringing safety and confidence to your team.
To access additional tools, reference materials and resources from JLG that can help you get your job done safely and more effectively, visitresources.
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