B

 

 

B.M.C.S

Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety.

 

BAC

(Blood alcohol concentration),  Results of a test for alcohol in the blood.  The relative proportion of ethyl alcohol in the blood stated in terms of the number of milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood (weight / volume).  In nearly all states, 0.10 percent BAC is considered the limit for legal intoxication.  In Kansas the limit is 0.8 percent.

 

BACK HAUL

(1) The return part of the trip  (2) the freight that is carried on the return portion of a trip  (3} a shipment that is carried back over part of a route that has been previously traveled.

 

BACKLIGHT

The window across the rear of any automobile, regardless of body style. Sometimes called back window.

 

BACK-UP AIR SIGNAL

Warning whistle which can be operated at the rear of the train when backing up.  Air for its operation is taken from the train line.

 

BAD ORDER

Car in need of repair.

 

BALL JOINT

A ball joint in the suspension of a vehicle comprises a stud, housing, boot, reloading spring, pressure plate, and insert.  In the suspension, two ball joints are used at each wheel to form a pivot axis about which the wheel turns in steering.  In other applications, a ball joint is a connection between parts which allows one part to rotate about a fixed point in the other part.  Thus, a ball joint can transmit forces, but it cannot transmit any torque.

 

BALLAST

Selected material placed on the road bed to hold the track in line.  Ballast preferably consists of hard particles easily handled in tampering, which distributes the load, drain well, and resist plant growth.

 

BALLAST CAR

A car for carrying ballast for repair and construction work, usually a gondola or hopper.

 

BALLAST TAMPER

A machine for compacting ballast under the ties.

 

BALLOON FREIGHT

Light, bulky cargo.

 

BAND PLY

The first ply on the inside of a tire.

 

BANK

The degree to which the outside edge of a roadway is higher than the inside edge at a specified point on a curve; the change in elevation per unit of distance across the roadway from the inside curve to the outside edge; superelevation. 

 

BAO

Body and Assembly Organization.

 

BARRIER COLLISION TEST

A number of Federal hater Vehicle Safety Standards require that a vehicle be tested in a collision with a fixed barrier, in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J850, "Barrier Collision Tests."

 

BARRIER LINE

A line which, when placed parallel to a center or lane line, indicates that no traffic may cross the line for purposes of overtaking and passing; "a double line consisting of two normal solid yellow lines delineating the separation between travel paths in opposite directions where overtaking and passing is prohibited in both directions; a two direction no passing marking.",

 

BASE STATE

The state in which a vehicle is primarily registered..

 

BATTERY

An electrochemical device for storing and supplying electrical energy

 

BBC

The length of the tractor from the bumper to the back of the cab. Always stated in inches.

 

BC DIMENSION

Distance from back of cab to end of frame.

 

BEAD (TIRE)

The inner edge of the outer wall of a rubber tire, fitting on the rim.  The "foundation" of a tire.  It is made of high tensile steel wires and wrapped and reinforced by the plies.

 

BEAD BASE

The approximately cylindrical portion of the bead that forms its inside diameter.

 

BEAD MOLDING

A molding with a small cross-section of any length.

 

BEAD SEAT (TIRE)

The bead seat is the part of the wheel rim into which the best of the tire is mounted.

 

BEAD SEPARATION  (TIRE)

Bead separation is a breakdown of the bond between components in the bead area.

 

BEAD TOE

That portion of the bead which joins the bead base and the inside surface of the tire.

 

BEAD-TO-SEAT MEASUREMENT

The distance from the heel of one bead straight up at 90- to the bead over the crown and down the other side to a position on the heel of the other bead directly opposite the starting point.

 

BEAMING

A mode of vibration involving predominantly bending deformations of the sprung mass about the vehicle y-axis.

 

BEANERY

A railroad eating house.

 

BEARING

A relative degree of surface contact between one die member and another.

 

BEAUTY BOLTS

Exposed, large, round, bright bolt heads on the surface of bumpers. Also used to identify similar parts of station wagon simulated-wood side treatment. The "beauty" in this context is ironic.

 

BELT DRIVE AXLE

An axle driven by V-belts, which transmit power from the drive axle.  See Y-belt drive.

 

BELT DRIVEN AXLE

An axle driven by V-belts, which transmits power from the drive axle

 

BELT LINE

A short railroad operating within or around a city.

 

BELT PLAYOUT

The length of the belt that leaves the retractor spool prior to the belt locking mechanism engaging as a result of an impact.  Typical belt playout is 2.5 - 5 cm (1/2 inches). 

 

BELT STRETCH

The lengthening of the lap or shoulder belt due to dynamic loading during impact.  Typical belt stretch is 15cm (6 inches) in a 48 KHP (30 mph) barrier equivalent impact.

 

BELT WORK LINE

Arbitrary horizontal work line usually located at approximately the 35 inch line and commonly shown as BWL.

 

BELTED (TIRES):

A belted tire is a tire in which an outer layer, or belt, of class, steel or rayon fibers, is wrapped around the circumference of the tire just beneath the tread.

 

BELTED CONSTRUCTION

A type of tire construction which includes one or more reinforcing belts of fabric or steel. These belts run circumferentially around the crown of the tire.

 

BELTLINE

The line established by the  upper edge of the car lower body at the glass openings, as seen from the side.

 

BEND

See crook

 

BENDING MOMENT

The product of force and distance from point of support to point where force is applied causing bending or distortion.

 

BENDIX DRIVE

Drive mechanism on cranking motor.

 

"B" END OF CAR

The end of which the hand brake is located.

 

BERM

The shoulder of the road.

 

BERM

See shoulder

 

BEVEL GEAR

Gear used to transmit power at angle.

 

BEZEL

A frame, escutcheon, or rim, usually surrounding a lamp or opening. Either bright-finished or painted.

 

bhp

Brake horsepower.

 

BIAS-PLY

Construction where cords run diagonally to the tire's bead or direction of rotation. In conversation, "bias-ply" has come to mean an old-style tire.

 

BICYCLE

A two wheeled pedal cycle.

 

BICYCLE

A two wheeled pedal cycle.

 

BIG HOLE

(slang) Emergency position on the air brake valve.

 

BILL OF LADING

(B/L)  The written transportation contract between shipper and carrier (or their agents) .  It identifies the freight, who is to receive it and the place of delivery and gives the terms of the assignment.  All goods going to a receiver at one destination in a single shipment or on one truck must be on a single bill of lading.    The straight bill of lading provides that freight be delivered to the receiver shown on the bill.  It is non-negotiable.  Surrender of this type of bill of lading is not required except when it is necessary for the receiver to identify himself.  This might be necessary for example, for certain bonded goods such as liquor.  Always printed on white paper.   The other bill of lading is negotiable.  Its purpose is to enable a shipper to collect for the shipment before it reaches its destination.  The shipper sends an original bill of lading and draft for the charges through a bank.  The receiver pays the carrier's agent the amount of the draft and then and then can receive the goods.  With this method, the shipper customarily consigns the shipment to himself.  The person or company to be notified at destination is specified. The shipment may be released to the receiver only upon the order of the shipper.  The order bill of lading must be surrendered with delivery of the freight.  Always printed on yellow paper.  Either straight or order bills of lading me be designated as "through" .  A through bill of lading covers shipment by more than one transportation company at a fixed rate for the entire service.  More than one type of transportation company (such as truck or rail) may be utilized.  All see clean bill of lading.

 

BILL OF SALE

A contract for the sale of goods.

 

BILLED WEIGHT

The weight shown in a freight bill.

 

BILLET CAR

A low side gondola car built of steel throughout for transportation of hot steel billets.

 

BILLING POINT

Location where the waybill is prepared.

 

BILLING REPAIR CARD

The card furnished to the car owner when repair work is done on a foreign car.

 

BINDER WHIP

A distortion in panel  surfaces resulting from an improper binder configuration. Metal is permitted to crowd together and subsequent draw is insufficient to remove the bruise.

 

BINGO CARD

See cab card

 

BIOMECHANICS

The study of energy and forces and their relation to motion, deformation or equilibrium of human and other living entities.  The analysis of action of forces on biological materials or biological systems.

 

BISCUIT

Rectangular sewn area on a seat or door panel.

 

BITUMINOUS CONCRETE

Concrete cemented with a bituminous material such as tar or asphalt.

 

BLADE

A thin,, sharply defined ridge in the body metal, or an appliqué of a similar nature.

 

BLANKET WAY BILL

A waybill covering two or more consignments of freight

 

BLASTING AGENTS

See hazardous material

 

BLEED THE AIR TANKS

To drain the accumulated water out of the air tanks of a tractor to prevent the condensed water from reducing air tank capacity and thus cutting braking efficiency.

 

BLEED THE FUEL LINES

To remove  trapped air from the fuel lines.

 

BLIND QUARTERAN

Unusually wide "C" pillar or roof quarter, tending the enclose rear seat area.

 

BLIND SIDE

The right side of the truck and trailer, opposite of the site side.

 

BLIPS

Small ornamentation in series; I.e., several identical ports, bars, windsplits, etc., aligned horizontally or vertically on the body.

 

BLOCK

1) A length of track of defined limits. 2) A group of cars classified for movement to the same yard or terminal.

 

BLOCK SIGNAL

A signal at the entrance of a block to govern trains and engines entering and using that block.

 

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM

A method of governing the movement of trains into or within one or more blocks by the use of signals.

 

BLOCKING

Supports used to prevent cargo from shifting during transportation.

 

BLOOM

Bleeding rubber-oils surface and discolor.

 

BLOWBY

Engine gases leaking past the piston rings and/or valves and entering the crankcase. Overflow.

 

BLOWER

(1) A device that forces additional air into the engine to increase its efficiency and horsepower.  Two types of blowers are the supercharger and the turbocharger; (2) A fan that blows air over ice to maintain a low temperature in a trailer transporting perishable goods.

 

BLOW-OFF VALVE

A regulatory valve on the air system that allows the escape of excess air pressure if the governor on the air compressor fails to operate.

 

BLUE BUCK/BODY-IN-WHITE

an incomplete assembly of a vehicle generally consisting of the major body panels welded together and in a state prior to prime and paint processing.

 

BLUE LABEL

See hazardous material

 

BLUE-LINE DRAWING

A print reproduced, usually on paper, by an ammonia developing process. Also known as "print" or "blueprint".

 

BMD

Basic Manufacturing Division

 

BMEP

Brake mean effective pressure.

 

BOARD

A fixed signal regulating railroad traffic and usually referred to as a slow board, order board, clear board, or red board.

 

BOARDING CAR

A term commonly applied to a car used as a place of lodging for workmen.  In the case of wreck trains, they are more often called dinning and sleeping cars.

 

BOBTAIL

A tractor without a trailer; or a single truck.

 

BODY

Structure mounted on chassis for cargo or passengers.

 

BODY CENTER PLATE

The center plate attached to the underside of the body bolster.  See center plate.

 

BODY FRAMING

Area designated as such for the assembly of the body shell.

 

BODY HARDWARE

Door handles, window operating cranks, locks, hinges, ventilation knobs, mirrors, and other functional and appearance metal parts.

 

BODY LOCK PILLAR

The body pillar that contains the lock striker plate. Usually is integral with center pillar of rear quarter assembly.

 

BODY OPENING

Opening in the body surface to match the edges of doors, tailgates, etc.

 

BODY SIDE MOLDING

Usually narrow plastic part attached to doors to protect body sides from damage.

 

BODY TYPE

The general configuration or shape of a vehicle distinguished by characteristics such as the number of doors, seats, or windows, roof line, hard top, convertible, etc.

 

BOGEY  (Bogie)

1) Usually an axle added to a tractor to carry more weight as weight distribution.  2) The running gear of a highway semi-trailer which may be removed.  3) The term used generally to mean swivel railway truck.

 

BOGIES

An assembly of two or more axles, such as a tandem axle.

 

BOLSTER

1) A cross member on the under side of a car body and in the center of a truck, through which the weight is transmitted.  The bolsters carry the body and truck center plates, the body bolster resting on the truck bolster, and is connected to it with a center pin.  2) The portion of the seat which rolls over or forms the upper most part of the seat-back or the leading edge of the seat  itself.

 

BOLT AND BOND ASSEMBLY

A method of attaching parts or sub-assemblies together by bolting and applying adhesive instead of welding.

 

BOLT CIRCLE

The diameter of the circle which traces through the centerline of the bolt holes. It defines the bolt hole spacing around the disc in a wheel.

 

BONDED WAREHOUSE

A warehouse approved by the US Treasury Department and under bond or guarantee of the strict observance of the revenue laws.  Also utilized for storing goods until duties are paid or otherwise released.

 

BONNET

The protective covering over the air intake that keeps water or other substances from entering the air system; or the hood on any conventional type tractor.

 

BOOM

A high intensity vibration (25-100 Hz) perceived audibly and characterized as sensation of pressure by the ear.

 

BOOM IT DOWN

(slang) :  Tighten chains around freight.

 

BOOMERS

(slang) See chain binders.

 

BOOST PRESSURE
Pressure of air above atmospheric pressure created by the turbocharger. ( Detroit )

BOOT

Folding top storage area (convertible).

 

BOOTLEG POCKET

Pocket at the rear of the rear wheel house formed by the quarter panel and at the quarter panel-to-pan filter.

 

BORE

The diameter of a cylinder.

 

BORE & STROKE

Bore is the diameter of a cylinder; the stroke is the maximum distance a piston moves during one complete stroke.

 

BOTTLER'S BODY

A truck body designed for hauling cased, bottled beverages.

 

BOTTOM DEAD CENTER

Lowest point of periphery of flywheel when crank-throw is in lowest position.

 

BOTTOM DUMP

Trailer body designed to dump its cargo through gates in the bottom or floor of the trailer.

 

BOTTS DOTS

Botts dots are raised pavement markers used to delineate separate lanes, shoulders or center dividers.

 

BOUNCE

The amount of springiness in a vehicle as a result of impact crash.  The deformed materials will expand after the maximum deformation (dynamic crush) to "settle" in at the static crush value.  A vehicle impacted into an immoveable barrier will "bounce" back from the barrier coming to rest away from the barrier.

 

BOX CAR

An enclosed car used for general service and especially for lading which must be protected from the weather.

 

"B" PILLAR

Second pillar in roof, counting from the windshield.

 

BRAKE

A brake is any mechanism used to retard, stop or hold a vehicle in place. It is usually applied at the drive shaft or wheels of a vehicle and converts energy to heat by means of friction.

 

BRAKE ACTUATION TIME

Brake actuation time is the time between application of pedal pressure in an air brake system and the time the brake chamber pressure reaches 60 psi.  Current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard).

 

BRAKE ANCHOR

The brake anchor is the pivot pin on the backing plate of the brake against which the brake shoe bears.

 

BRAKE APPLICATION VALVE

A control unit which controls air pressure to the brake cylinders or brake chambers.

 

BRAKE BAND

The brake band is ú band which surrounds the brake drum to which the brake lining is attached.

 

BRAKE BLEEDINGS

Brake bleeding is a procedure for removing air from the lines of an hydraulic system in an automobile.

 

BRAKE BOOSTER

A vacuum mechanical means for increasing brake pedal pressure.

 

BRAKE BURNISH

A conditioning of a brake's friction surfaces by wear and temperature, either by a test procedure or in-service operation.

 

BRAKE CHAMBER

A unit in which a diaphragm converts pressure to mechanical force for actuation of the brake.

 

BRAKE CLUB

Three foot hickory stick used by freight trainman to tighten hand brakes.

 

BRAKE COUNT

The number of times the service brake was applied. ( Detroit )

BRAKE CYLINDER

A brake cylinder is a cylinder in which a piston converts hydraulic pressure to mechanical force in order to move the brake shoes in a brake assembly against the braking surface of either a drum or a disc brake rotor plate.

 

BRAKE DIAPHRAGM

Bellows-type chamber used to convert comp=air pressure to mechanical force.

 

BRAKE DISC

A brake disc is a circular plate against which a brake lining is forced by hydraulic pressure.  The purpose of this is similar to the purposes of the brake assembly described under the brake cylinder.

 

BRAKE DRUM

The brake drum is the cylindrical portion of the inside of the wheel, usually metal such as cast iron, to which the friction Material of the brake shoe is applied in stopping a vehicle.

 

BRAKE EFFICIENCY

There are two definitions for braking efficiency:  1.  Braking efficiency is the ratio of the force necessary to cause the braked wheels of a vehicle to rotate, divided by the weight of the vehicle, expressed as a percent.  2.  Braking efficiency is the ratio of the deceleration which is produced by a braking system divided by the maximum acceleration possible with the available coefficient of friction between tires and road.  The efficiency can be expressed as a ratio, or as a percent.

 

BRAKE FADE

Brake fade is a condition where repeated application of the brakes causes a loss of frictional ability due to heating which results in the impairment of braking efficiency.

 

BRAKE FLUID

A special oil used in the hydraulic braking system to transmit pressure through a closed system of tubing known as the brake lines

 

BRAKE FORCE - ATTEMPTED

The force that is capable of being produced by the mechanical components.

 

BRAKE FORCE - AVAILABLE

The force available is identified by multiplying the load on the braked wheel by the truck tire / roadway surface friction interface.

 

BRAKE HOP

 An oscillatory hopping motion of a single wheel or of a pair of wheels which occurs when brakes are applied in forward or reverse motion of the vehicle.

 

BRAKE HORSEPOWER

When referring to the power of an engine, brake horsepower is the power output of the engine.

 

BRAKE HOSE

A brake hose is a reinforced, flexible hose, usually made of reinforced rubber, which connects the solid metal part of the hydraulic system (attached to the body or frame) to the moving part of the brake system. She moving part is usually connected directly to the brake wheel cylinder.

 

BRAKE LIMITING VALVE

A valve in the brake application system which limits the maximum permissible pressure passed on to the front axle brakes.

 

BRAKE LINE

A brake line is the metallic part of the hydraulic brake system of a vehicle.  It is comprised of metallic tubing and fittings.  Usually, there are four brake lines, running from the master cylinder (or from an equalization switch near the master cylinder) to a point near each wheel,  Brake hoses are used to connect the brake lines to the wheel cylinders.

 

BRAKE LINING

The brake lining is the material which is attached to the brake shoe and which in the process of braking contacts the brake drum in order to retard or bring the vehicle to a stop.  The material used for the brake lining must have a suitable coefficient of friction.

 

BRAKE MAN

A train service employee who assist with train and yard operations.

 

BRAKE PAD

A flat metal piece with a brake lining which is forced against the rotor of a disc brake to produce braking action on a wheel.

 

BRAKE PAWL  (hand brake)

A small, specially shaped, steel piece, pivoted to engage the teeth of a brake ratchet wheel to prevent turning backward, and thus releasing the brakes.

 

BRAKE PEDAL RESERVE

Brake pedal reserve is the ratio of the length of the depressed pedal position to the free pedal position, where the length is measured from the brake pedal to the floorboard.

 

BRAKE PIPE

The air brake piping of a car or locomotive which acts as a supply pipe for the reservoir.  When all brake pipes on the car are adjoined, the entire pipe line comprises what is commonly called "train line".

 

BRAKE POWER ASSIST UNIT

The brake power assist unit in an hydraulic brake system is that device which reduces the operator effort required to actuate the system, and if inoperative does not prevent the operator from braking the vehicle by a continued application of muscular force on the service brake control.

 

BRAKE RATCHET (hand brake)

A wheel attached to the brake shaft, having teeth which the pawl engages, thus preventing the wheel and shaft from turning backward.

 

BRAKE RATING

Proving performance. In terms of horsepower, the maximum power that the brakes will absorb or dissipate as heat in a specified period of time.

 

BRAKE RELEASE TIME

Brake release time is the time-it takes the pressure in the brake chamber of an air brake system to fall from 98 psi. to 5 psi. after release of the brake pedal.  (Current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard definition).

 

BRAKE SHAFT

A shaft on which a chain is wound and by which the power of a hand brake is applied to the wheels.

 

BRAKE SHOE 

  The non rotating unit of the brake (to which the brake shoe is attached) that contacts the rotating unit to supply braking force.

 

BRAKE STEP

A small shelf or ledge on the end of the a freight car on which the brakeman stands when applying the hand brake.  Sometimes called a brake foot board.

 

BRAKE SWITCH

Switch on the brake pedal that disables cruise control when brakes are applied. ( Detroit )

BRAKE SYSTEM

A combination of one or more brakes and the means of operation and control.

 

BRAKE SYSTEM APPLICATION & BRAKING TIME OR DISTANCE (Stopping Time or Distance)

The time elapsed or the distance traveled between the instant or point at which the braking system is actuated and the instant or point at which the vehicle or combination comes to rest.

 

BRAKE SYSTEM APPLICATION TIME OR DISTANCE

The time elapsed or distance traveled between the instant or point at which the driver starts to move the braking controls and the instant or point of first retardation by the brakes.

 

BRAKE VALVE (air brake)

The valve by which the engineer operates the brakes.  The proper name is engineers brake valve.

 

BRAKE WHEEL

An iron wheel attached to the upper end of the brake shaft which is manually turned to apply the brakes.

 

BRAKE, EMERGENCY

Secondary chassis brakes independent in application from service brake. Used for parking the vehicle and for controlling it when the service brake is incapacitated.

 

BRAKE, ENGINE

Brake device using engine compression pressure as retarding medium.

 

BRAKE, SERVICE

Primary brake system for stopping vehicle.

 

BRAKE-EXHAUST

Brake device using engine exhaust back pressure as retarding medium.

 

BRAKING DISTANCE

The distance through which brakes are applied to slow a vehicle; the shortest distance in which a vehicle can be stopped by braking from a specified speed on a particular surface; the distance from application of brakes to collision.   See total stopping distance.

 

BRAKING SKID MARK

See skid mark.

 

BRAKING TIME

The time required to traverse the braking distance.

 

BRAKING TORQUE

Negative wheel torque.

 

BRASS POUNDER

Telegraph operator, whose sending instruments are made of brass.

 

BREAK BULK

To separate a composite load into individual shipments and route them to different destinations

 

BREAK BULK POINT OR TERMINAL

A place where a composite load is separated into individual shipments and routed to different destinations

 

BREAK THE UNIT

(Slang)  Uncouple the tractor from the trailer.

 

BREAKAWAY VALVE

The equipment added to a tractor or trailer brake system which safeguards the air supply on leading units and automatically applies the brakes on any trailer which accidentally become separated.

 

BRIDGE

The distance between one axle and another, or between two sets of axles.  Used in some states to ascertain the permissible gross weight for the vehicle.  Also called spread.  See spread tandem.

 

BRIDGE FORMULA

A formula used to determine the maximum gross weight permissible on any group of axles.

 

BRINELL HARDNESS

Brinell Hardness refers to a scale used to designate the degree of hardness possessed by a substance.  Brinell Hardness is measured by pressing a ball into a metal by use of a calibrated machine  and measuring the force which it takes to indent the material.  The test itself is called a Brinell Hardness Test and the machine used for the test is called a Brinell Hardness Tester.

 

BRINELL MARK

A "Brinell mark" is a mark or Souse in metal which is made by another piece of metal or   rd object.  Such marks are helpful in accident reconstructs (to diagnose  ..e direction of forces and the cause of failures.  The use of the terminology "Brinell mark" comes about by analogy with the indentation made by the ball in a Brinell Hardness test.

 

BRINELLING

Brinelling is a term which refers to indentations in ú material caused by impact or contact with a hard object.  The term arises from the so-called Brinell Hardness Test. which uses a rounded device to deform the surface of a material whose hardness is to be tested.  However  indentations from any object not necessarily associated with the hardness testing  are often called "brinelling."

 

BRITTLE FRACTURE

Brittle fracture is the fracture of a part under load with little or no yielding.  It is a term used in the diagnosis of metal failures in the course of accident reconstruction.

 

BROAD GAGE (track)

When the distance between the heads of the rails is greater than 4' 9".  See narrow gage, standard gage and gage of track.

 

BROWNLINE

A print that is brown in color and somewhat transparent, thus allowing additional prints to be made from it. Also known as "Van Dyke" (tradename) or Sepia.

 

BRUSHED FINISH

Fine, directional, disruption of a smooth surface. Usually done on aluminum, stainless steel, chrome plate, but can be simulated in plastic.

 

BRUSH-PILOT

A rough preliminary trace of test results (I.e., injury criteria).

 

B-TRAINS

A combination consisting of a tractor and two semi trailers, the second trailer coupled to the first trailer by use of a fifth wheel, which is mounted directly behind the cargo body on the lead semi-trailer.

 

btu

British thermal unit.

 

BUCKET SEAT

Individual seat, often contoured so as to provide lateral support.

 

BUCKLE  SWITCH

A switch located in the seat belt buckle which sense the condition of the belts (fastened or unfastened).

 

BUCKLE (BUCKLING)

When used in an engineering sense  a structure is laid to buckle when compressive loads on it cause the structure to exhibit large deflections which constitute the failure.

 

BUILDING OR BASE

Fixture used to locate underbody assembly side frame, front end, rear end and roof assembly.

 

BULK FREIGHT

Freight not in packages or containers.

 

BULKHEAD

A metal or wooden device located on the back of the tractor or on the front of the trailer to keep loads from sifting forward and going through cab of tractor.  Sometimes called a header board.

 

BULKHEAD FLAT

A flat car with adjustable bulk heads at each end of the car, used for plywood and wall board ect.

 

BULLSEYE

An indentation of the panel surface caused by poor die surface fit.

 

BUMP

Displace a junior man (with less seniority) on an existing position.

 

BUMP STOP

 An elastic member which increases the wheel rate toward the end of the compression travel. The bump stop may also act to limit the compression travel.

 

BUMPER-IMPULSE DETECTOR

(BID) A crash detector mounted in the front bumper which provides an early ACRS actual signal.

 

BUMPING POST

A brace post or block piece at the end of a stub track to prevent rolling cars from going off the ends of the rails.  See car stop.

 

BUNCHING

The accumulation and tender of cars for loading or unloading in excess of orders or contrary to customary schedules.

 

"B" UNIT

A Diesel unit without a cab and without complete operating controls.  Usually equipped with hostler controls for independent operating at terminals.

 

BUNK, LOG

Structural cross-members forming bed for logs on logging truck.

 

BUREAU OF MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY (BMCS)

A part of the Federal Highway Administration, which is one of several administrations within the US. Department of Transportation that issues the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

 

BURNISHING

Burnishing is the reconditioning of brake linings by repeated stops under controlled conditions.

 

BUS

Any motor vehicle designed to carry more than ten passengers and used for transporting persons, other than a taxi cab, designed to transport persons for compensation.

 

BUSHING

A cylindrical metal sleeve inserted into a machine part for reducing the effect of friction on moving parts or for decreasing the diameter of a hole.

 

BUSTLEBACK

Conventional automobile configuration as differentiated from a fast-back. Also termed notchback.

 

BUTTRESS

The area on a tire between the edge of the tread and the sidewall.

References

Detroit Diesel

Caterpillar User's Manual