🚜 Heavy Equipment

• attachment a-TACH-ment ▶ EN
  aditamento ah-dee-tah-MEHN-toh ▶ ES

  Any tool that mounts to a machine, like forks, augers, or breakers.

  Pin the attachment and test the lock before you lift anything. — Asegura el aditamento y prueba el seguro antes de levantar algo.

  Also: implemento (general)

• auger O-ger ▶ EN
  barrena bah-RREH-nah ▶ ES

  A spiral drilling attachment used to bore holes for posts and piers.

  Put the auger on the skid steer for the fence post holes. — Ponle la barrena al minicargador para los hoyos de los postes de la cerca.

  Also: broca (general)

• backhoe BAK-jou ▶ EN
  retroexcavadora reh-troh-eks-kah-vah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  Wheeled machine with a loader bucket in front and a digging arm in back.

  Bring the backhoe around to backfill the water line. — Trae la retroexcavadora para rellenar la línea de agua.

  Also: retro (MX)

• backup alarm BAK-op a-LARM ▶ EN
  alarma de reversa ah-LAR-mah deh rreh-VEHR-sah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The beeper that sounds automatically when a machine moves in reverse.

  That loader's backup alarm is dead; park it until it is fixed. — La alarma de reversa de ese cargador no sirve; estaciónalo hasta que la arreglen.

• blade BLEID ▶ EN
  cuchilla koo-CHEE-yah ▶ ES

  The wide steel plate on a dozer or grader that cuts and pushes material.

  Angle the blade to roll the dirt off to the right. — Angula la cuchilla para tirar la tierra hacia la derecha.

  Also: hoja (general)

• blind spot BLAIND SPOT ▶ EN
  punto ciego POON-toh SYEH-goh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The area around a machine the operator cannot see from the seat.

  Stay out of the blind spot and make eye contact before you approach. — No te metas al punto ciego y haz contacto visual antes de acercarte.

• boom BUM ▶ EN
  pluma PLOO-mah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The main long arm of a crane, excavator, or lift.

  Lower the boom before you move the machine under the power lines. — Baja la pluma antes de mover la máquina debajo de los cables de luz.

  Also: brazo (general)

• boom lift BUM LIFT ▶ EN
  canastilla kah-nahs-TEE-yah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  An aerial lift with a basket on an articulating or telescoping boom.

  Tie off inside the boom lift basket at all times. — Amárrate dentro de la canastilla en todo momento.

  Also: canastilla (MX) · plataforma articulada (general)

• breaker BREI-ker ▶ EN
  martillo hidráulico mar-TEE-yoh ee-DRAH-oo-lee-koh ▶ ES

  A hydraulic hammer attachment that breaks concrete and rock.

  Mount the breaker to take out that old foundation. — Monta el martillo hidráulico para tumbar esa cimentación vieja.

  Also: rompedor (MX)

• bucket BO-ket ▶ EN
  bote BOH-teh ▶ ES

  The scoop attachment on an excavator, loader, or backhoe.

  Swap to the wide bucket for the backfill. — Cambia al bote ancho para el relleno.

  Also: cucharón (general)

• cab KAB ▶ EN
  cabina kah-BEE-nah ▶ ES

  The enclosed operator's station on a machine.

  Keep the cab glass clean so you can see the spotter. — Mantén limpios los vidrios de la cabina para poder ver al señalero.

• compaction kom-PAK-shon ▶ EN
  compactación kohm-pahk-tah-SYOHN ▶ ES

  Pressing soil tight in layers until it reaches the required density.

  The lab tests compaction on every lift before we pour. — El laboratorio prueba la compactación en cada capa antes de colar.

• compactor kom-PAK-tor ▶ EN
  compactador kohm-pahk-tah-DOR ▶ ES

  Any machine that presses soil or asphalt tight so it will not settle.

  Run the compactor over every lift of backfill. — Pasa el compactador sobre cada capa de relleno.

• counterweight KAUN-ter-weit ▶ EN
  contrapeso kohn-trah-PEH-soh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The heavy mass on the rear of a crane or excavator that balances the load.

  The counterweight swings past the trailer; keep that lane clear. — El contrapeso barre más allá del remolque; mantén ese carril despejado.

• crane KREIN ▶ EN
  grúa GROO-ah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Machine that lifts and places heavy loads with a boom and hoist lines.

  The crane sets the trusses tomorrow if the wind stays down. — La grúa monta las armaduras mañana si el viento se mantiene bajo.

• diesel DI-sel ▶ EN
  diésel DYEH-sehl ▶ ES

  The fuel almost all heavy equipment runs on.

  Top off the diesel tonight so we do not lose time in the morning. — Llena el diésel hoy en la noche para no perder tiempo en la mañana.

• dozer DOU-ser ▶ EN
  buldócer bool-DOH-sehr ▶ ES

  Tracked machine with a wide front blade for pushing dirt and rough grading.

  The dozer will push the topsoil into stockpiles first. — El buldócer va a empujar la capa vegetal a los montones primero.

  Also: topadora (general)

• dump DOMP ▶ EN
  vaciar vah-SYAR ▶ ES

  To empty a truck bed or bucket by tilting it.

  Dump the load along the string line, not in one pile. — Vacía la carga a lo largo del hilo, no en un solo montón.

  Also: voltear (MX)

• dump truck DOMP TROK ▶ EN
  camión de volteo kah-MYOHN deh vohl-TEH-oh ▶ ES

  Truck with a tilting bed that hauls and dumps loose material.

  We need six dump trucks running to keep up with the excavator. — Necesitamos seis camiones de volteo circulando para seguirle el paso a la excavadora.

  Also: volteo (MX)

• excavator EKS-ka-vei-tor ▶ EN
  excavadora eks-kah-vah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  Tracked machine with a boom, stick, and bucket used for digging.

  The excavator will open the trench along the east side today. — La excavadora va a abrir la zanja por el lado este hoy.

  Also: máquina (MX)

• forklift FORK-lift ▶ EN
  montacargas mohn-tah-KAR-gahs ▶ ES

  Machine with two forks in front that lifts and moves palletized loads.

  The forklift can only take two pallets at a time on this ramp. — El montacargas solo puede subir dos tarimas a la vez por esta rampa.

• grade GREID ▶ EN
  nivelar nee-veh-LAR ▶ ES

  To cut or fill the ground to the elevation shown on the plans.

  Grade the pad to within a tenth before the plumbers come in. — Nivela la plataforma a una décima antes de que entren los plomeros.

  Also: conformar (general)

• grader GREI-der ▶ EN
  motoconformadora moh-toh-kohn-for-mah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  Long machine with a center blade that levels and shapes roads and pads.

  The grader will make the final pass before we pave. — La motoconformadora dará la última pasada antes de pavimentar.

  Also: moto (MX)

• grease GRIIS ▶ EN
  engrasar ehn-grah-SAR ▶ ES

  To pump grease into a machine's fittings and pins as daily maintenance.

  Grease the machine every morning before you start digging. — Engrasa la máquina cada mañana antes de empezar a excavar.

• hand signals JAND SIG-nals ▶ EN
  señales de mano seh-NYAH-lehs deh MAH-noh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The standard arm and hand motions used to direct crane and equipment operators.

  Review the hand signals with the new operator before the first lift. — Repasa las señales de mano con el operador nuevo antes del primer izaje.

• haul JOL ▶ EN
  acarrear ah-kah-rreh-AR ▶ ES

  To transport material in trucks between the cut, the fill, or the dump.

  We have to haul four hundred loads off this site. — Tenemos que acarrear cuatrocientos viajes fuera de esta obra.

• hoist JOIST ▶ EN
  izar ee-SAR ▶ ES Safety-critical

  To raise a load with a crane or lifting device.

  Hoist it slow until the load clears the trailer walls. — Iza despacio hasta que la carga libre las paredes del remolque.

  Also: elevar (general)

• hose JOUS ▶ EN
  manguera mahn-GEH-rah ▶ ES

  A flexible line carrying hydraulic oil, air, or water on a machine.

  A hydraulic hose blew on the excavator; shut it down. — Se reventó una manguera hidráulica de la excavadora; apágala.

• hydraulics jai-DRO-liks ▶ EN
  sistema hidráulico sees-TEH-mah ee-DRAH-oo-lee-koh ▶ ES

  The pressurized oil system that powers a machine's arms and attachments.

  The hydraulics are weak; the boom drifts down under load. — El sistema hidráulico está débil; la pluma se va bajando con carga.

• idle AI-del ▶ EN
  ralentí rrah-lehn-TEE ▶ ES

  The engine running at low speed while the machine is not working.

  Let it warm up at idle for five minutes on cold mornings. — Déjala calentar en ralentí cinco minutos en las mañanas frías.

  Also: en mínimo (MX)

• jib YIB ▶ EN
  plumín ploo-MEEN ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A shorter extension arm mounted on the tip of the main boom for extra reach.

  We need the jib on to reach over the parapet. — Necesitamos poner el plumín para librar el pretil.

• load chart LOUD CHART ▶ EN
  tabla de carga TAH-blah deh KAR-gah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The chart in the crane cab that gives the maximum load for each radius and boom length.

  Check the load chart before you commit to that pick at full radius. — Revisa la tabla de carga antes de comprometerte a ese izaje a radio completo.

• loader LOU-der ▶ EN
  cargador kar-gah-DOR ▶ ES

  Machine with a big front bucket for scooping and loading loose material.

  The loader can feed the crusher and load trucks at the same time. — El cargador puede alimentar la trituradora y cargar camiones al mismo tiempo.

  Also: pala cargadora (general)

• lockout tagout LOK-aut TAG-aut ▶ EN
  bloqueo y etiquetado bloh-KEH-oh ee eh-tee-keh-TAH-doh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The procedure of locking and tagging a machine's energy sources before repairs.

  Lockout tagout before anyone reaches into that crusher, no shortcuts. — Bloqueo y etiquetado antes de que alguien meta la mano a esa trituradora, sin atajos.

• lowboy LOU-boi ▶ EN
  cama baja KAH-mah BAH-hah ▶ ES

  A low trailer used to haul heavy equipment between jobs.

  The lowboy picks up the dozer Friday afternoon. — La cama baja recoge el buldócer el viernes por la tarde.

• operator O-pe-rei-tor ▶ EN
  operador oh-peh-rah-DOR ▶ ES

  The trained and certified person who runs a machine.

  Only a certified operator runs the crane, period. — Solo un operador certificado maneja la grúa, punto.

  Also: maquinista (MX)

• outriggers AUT-ri-gers ▶ EN
  gatos GAH-tohs ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The extendable legs that stabilize a crane or lift before it picks a load.

  Set the outriggers on pads and level the crane before the pick. — Asienta los gatos sobre placas y nivela la grúa antes del izaje.

  Also: estabilizadores (general)

• pick PIK ▶ EN
  levantada leh-vahn-TAH-dah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  One planned crane lift of a specific load.

  The heaviest pick of the day is the rooftop unit at noon. — La levantada más pesada del día es la unidad de azotea al mediodía.

  Also: izaje (general)

• plate compactor PLEIT kom-PAK-tor ▶ EN
  bailarina bai-lah-REE-nah ▶ ES

  Walk-behind vibrating plate used to compact soil in tight areas and trenches.

  Hit the trench with the plate compactor every twelve inches of fill. — Dale a la zanja con la bailarina a cada doce pulgadas de relleno.

  Also: bailarina (MX) · placa vibratoria (general)

• pre-shift inspection PRI-shift in-SPEK-shon ▶ EN
  inspección antes del turno eens-pek-SYOHN AHN-tehs dehl TOOR-noh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The required walk-around check of a machine before operating it each shift.

  Fill out the pre-shift inspection sheet before you even start the engine. — Llena la hoja de inspección antes del turno incluso antes de arrancar el motor.

• rigging RI-ging ▶ EN
  aparejo ah-pah-REH-hoh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The slings, shackles, and hardware used to connect a load to the crane hook.

  Inspect the rigging before every lift, not just the first one. — Inspecciona el aparejo antes de cada izaje, no solo el primero.

  Also: maniobras (general)

• ripper RI-per ▶ EN
  desgarrador dehs-gah-rrah-DOR ▶ ES

  A heavy claw on the back of a dozer that tears up hard ground and rock.

  Drop the ripper; that caliche is too hard for the blade alone. — Baja el desgarrador; ese caliche está muy duro para la pura cuchilla.

• roller ROU-ler ▶ EN
  rodillo rroh-DEE-yoh ▶ ES

  Ride-on machine with heavy drums that compacts soil or asphalt.

  Keep the roller moving while the asphalt is still hot. — Mantén el rodillo en movimiento mientras el asfalto siga caliente.

  Also: aplanadora (general)

• rollover ROUL-ou-ver ▶ EN
  volcadura vohl-kah-DOO-rah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A machine tipping onto its side or roof, one of the deadliest equipment accidents.

  Stay off that slope; it is too steep and a rollover waiting to happen. — No te metas a esa pendiente; está muy inclinada y es una volcadura esperando pasar.

• scissor lift SI-sor LIFT ▶ EN
  plataforma de tijera plah-tah-FOR-mah deh tee-HEH-rah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A work platform that rises straight up on folding scissor arms.

  Take the scissor lift to hang the lights in the warehouse. — Llévate la plataforma de tijera para colgar las lámparas en la bodega.

  Also: tijera (MX)

• seat belt SIIT BELT ▶ EN
  cinturón de seguridad seen-too-ROHN deh seh-goo-ree-DAHD ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The restraint that keeps the operator inside the rollover protection if the machine tips.

  Buckle the seat belt every time; it is what saves you in a rollover. — Abróchate el cinturón de seguridad cada vez; es lo que te salva en una volcadura.

• shackle SHA-kel ▶ EN
  grillete gree-YEH-teh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A U-shaped steel connector with a pin, used to join slings and lifting points.

  Use a rated shackle, never a bolt, on that pick point. — Usa un grillete certificado, nunca un tornillo, en ese punto de izaje.

• signal person SIG-nal PER-son ▶ EN
  persona de señales pehr-SOH-nah deh seh-NYAH-lehs ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The qualified worker who directs crane movements with standard hand signals or radio.

  Only the signal person talks to the crane operator during the pick. — Solo la persona de señales le habla al operador de la grúa durante el izaje.

• skid steer SKID STIR ▶ EN
  minicargador mee-nee-kar-gah-DOR ▶ ES

  Small rigid loader that steers by skidding its wheels or tracks; Bobcat is the common brand name.

  Use the skid steer to move those pallets of block. — Usa el minicargador para mover esas tarimas de bloque.

  Also: bobcat (MX)

• sling SLING ▶ EN
  eslinga ehs-LEEN-gah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A strap, chain, or cable loop used to hold a load for lifting.

  Take that frayed sling out of service and cut it up. — Saca de servicio esa eslinga deshilachada y córtala.

  Also: estrobo (general)

• spoils SPOILS ▶ EN
  material excavado mah-teh-RYAHL eks-kah-VAH-doh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The dirt removed from an excavation; keep it at least two feet from the trench edge.

  Pile the spoils on the uphill side, away from the trench edge. — Amontona el material excavado del lado de arriba, lejos de la orilla de la zanja.

  Also: rezaga (MX)

• spotter SPO-ter ▶ EN
  señalero seh-nyah-LEH-roh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The worker who watches blind spots and guides the operator when backing or lifting.

  No truck backs up in this yard without a spotter. — Ningún camión reversea en este patio sin señalero.

  Also: guía (general)

• swing radius SUING REI-di-us ▶ EN
  radio de giro RRAH-dyoh deh HEE-roh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The danger zone a rotating machine's counterweight and boom sweep through.

  Barricade the swing radius so nobody walks behind the excavator. — Acordona el radio de giro para que nadie camine detrás de la excavadora.

• tagline TAG-lain ▶ EN
  cuerda guía KWEHR-dah GEE-ah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A rope tied to a suspended load so workers can steady it from a safe distance.

  Put a tagline on that beam; nobody touches the load with their hands. — Ponle cuerda guía a esa viga; nadie toca la carga con las manos.

  Also: viento (general)

• telehandler TE-le-jand-ler ▶ EN
  montacargas telescópico mohn-tah-KAR-gahs teh-lehs-KOH-pee-koh ▶ ES

  A forklift with an extending boom that reaches up and out to place loads.

  Send the telehandler to load shingles onto the roof. — Manda el montacargas telescópico a subir la teja al techo.

  Also: manipulador (MX)

• tire TAIR ▶ EN
  llanta YAHN-tah ▶ ES

  The rubber wheel on wheeled equipment; check pressure and cuts daily.

  The loader has a soft tire on the right rear. — El cargador trae una llanta baja en la trasera derecha.

  Also: neumático (general)

• tracks TRAKS ▶ EN
  orugas oh-ROO-gahs ▶ ES

  The continuous steel or rubber belts that tracked machines run on.

  Clean the mud out of the tracks before loading it on the lowboy. — Límpiale el lodo a las orugas antes de subirla a la cama baja.

  Also: cadenas (general)

• trench box TRENCH BOKS ▶ EN
  cajón de zanja kah-HOHN deh SAHN-hah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A steel shield set in a trench to protect workers from a cave-in.

  Nobody enters past five feet deep without a trench box. — Nadie entra a más de cinco pies de profundidad sin cajón de zanja.

  Also: escudo de zanja (general)

• trencher TREN-cher ▶ EN
  zanjadora sahn-hah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  Machine with a digging chain that cuts narrow trenches for pipe and cable.

  The trencher will cut the irrigation lines in half a day. — La zanjadora abre las líneas de riego en medio día.

• water truck WA-ter TROK ▶ EN
  pipa PEE-pah ▶ ES

  Tank truck that sprays water for dust control and compaction.

  Call the water truck; the haul road is dusting out the neighbors. — Habla a la pipa; el camino de acarreo está llenando de polvo a los vecinos.

  Also: pipa (MX) · camión cisterna (general)

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