Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
ASME PALD 2c-1991 — Transmission Jacks Safety Standard Addenda (c)
📦 ASME/ANSI PALD-2c-1991 is the third and final Addenda to the ASME/ANSI PALD-2-1987 Transmission Jacks volume, approved by ANSI on February 14, 1991, and issued on May 15, 1991, after the earlier Addenda PALD-2a-1988 and PALD-2b-1989. Changes in this Addenda are marked by the margin note (c), with earlier changes marked (a) and (b). This document completes the definition framework and reorganizes Section 5 design qualification testing, finalizing the current text of the PALD-2 volume.
💡 With this Addenda, the currently effective text of ASME/ANSI PALD-2-1987 is complete: the 1987 base pages plus Addenda (a), (b), and (c). Cite the Standard with all three Addenda, or refer to the consolidated text of a later formal edition.
1. Scope, Classification, and Illustrations 📌
The revised Section 1 clarifies scope and classification: this volume applies to transmission jacks used to remove and install transmissions and differential assemblies from automobiles and trucks. The classifications are hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical; where combinations of force-transmitting means are used, each system must be tested to conform to this volume. Figures 1 through 5 illustrate typical products (pneumatic/hydraulic type; tall and low hydraulic types; tall and low mechanical types) and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
- Purpose: to establish a common basis of understanding among manufacturers, distributors, and operators regarding the construction, care, and use of transmission jacks.
- Life cycle: design, construction, marking, operation, maintenance, and inspection.
- Not covered: similar lifting devices for other commercial or industrial use within the scope of ASME/ANSI B30.1, Jacks.
2. The Definition Framework (Revised and Added) 🔬
This Addenda revises the “functional damage” definition and adds definitions for “manufacturer,” “repair,” and “supplier,” giving clear bases for safety responsibility and test acceptance. Key definitions are summarized below:
| Term | Definition Essence | Safety Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Adapter | A device attached to the lift platform to support and/or stabilize those components for which it is especially designed | Ensures contour match with the component being lifted |
| Functional damage | Any detrimental permanent deformation causing loss of sealing capability of the hydraulic and/or pneumatic components, loss of load, or failure to meet/exceed Section 5 qualification limits | Acceptance criterion for design qualification testing |
| Hydraulic transmission jack | A jack employing a relatively incompressible fluid (e.g., oil) as the force-transmitting medium | Defines construction features of the hydraulic class |
| Internal load limiting device | A device that limits the lifting capacity of the jack | Prevents structural overload |
| Lift platform assembly | The portion contacting the transmission/differential assembly, including brackets, adapters, and load restraints supplied by the manufacturer | Load-bearing and contact interface |
| Load restraint | A device supplied by the manufacturer to retain the load on the lift platform | Prevents the load from sliding off |
| Manufacturer | A company that produces goods by hand or machinery, often on a large scale | Identifies the safety-responsible party |
| Mechanical transmission jack | A jack employing mechanical lifting means as the force-transmitting medium | Defines construction features of the mechanical class |
⚠️ The “functional damage” definition binds structural permanent deformation directly to loss of function: any deformation that causes loss of sealing, loss of load, or exceeds the qualification limits means failure. This definition runs through design (Section 3), testing (Section 5), and use/maintenance (Section 7) — it is the key to understanding this Standard.
3. Reorganization of Design Qualification Testing 📋
The restructuring of Section 5 (revision of 5.1; former 5.1.1 redesignated as 5.1.4; former 5.1.2 through 5.1.4 redesignated as 5.1.1 through 5.1.3) makes the test hierarchy clearer:
- 5.1.1–5.1.3 (formerly 5.1.2–5.1.4): specific test requirements covering test-load application, load position and rate, sealing performance, and stability verification.
- 5.1.4 (formerly 5.1.1): general requirements and scope of the tests.
- Combined systems: hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems must each pass separately before the complete jack is accepted.
🚨 After renumbering, test plans citing the old numbering (e.g., “5.1.2”) may point to entirely different requirements. Update production and inspection documents to the new numbering in one pass to avoid old/new mixing.
4. Engineering Practice Essentials 🛠️
- 📑 Version control: effective text = 1987 edition + (a) + (b) + (c); cite all Addenda in documents.
- 🔍 Procurement acceptance: verify nameplate rated capacity and manufacturer/supplier identity, and request conformity certificates and test records aligned with the current text.
- 🔧 Use essentials: check load restraints, locking, and leaks before each use; secure the transmission before raising or moving; keep a low center of gravity.
- 👷 Training and records: operator training covers terminology and safety boundaries; inspection and repair records are archived per the manufacturer/supplier/repair responsibility split.
Records of qualification, inspection, and repair should be kept for the service life of the equipment. Because this Addenda finalizes the current text of PALD-2-1987, a single consolidated reference — “ASME/ANSI PALD-2-1987 including Addenda 2a-1988, 2b-1989, and 2c-1991” — should be used consistently in specifications, purchase orders, and inspection documents.
5. Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ Q: Why is 2c-1991 called the “final” Addenda?
A: The Addenda announcement states that it is the third and final Addenda to ASME/ANSI PALD-2-1987. Later revisions to PALD-2 were published as formal new editions rather than continuing Addenda.
A: The Addenda announcement states that it is the third and final Addenda to ASME/ANSI PALD-2-1987. Later revisions to PALD-2 were published as formal new editions rather than continuing Addenda.
🔍 Q: What is the difference between an “adapter” and a “load restraint”?
A: An adapter supports and/or stabilizes a specific component (e.g., a dedicated cradle for a particular transmission model); a load restraint keeps the whole load on the lift platform. Together they deliver the twin safety functions of contour-matched support and anti-slide retention.
A: An adapter supports and/or stabilizes a specific component (e.g., a dedicated cradle for a particular transmission model); a load restraint keeps the whole load on the lift platform. Together they deliver the twin safety functions of contour-matched support and anti-slide retention.
❓ Q: Does the Section 5 renumbering affect tests already completed?
A: It does not invalidate results obtained under the then-current paragraphs, but test records and future references must be converted to the new numbering to keep documentation consistent.
A: It does not invalidate results obtained under the then-current paragraphs, but test records and future references must be converted to the new numbering to keep documentation consistent.
❓ Q: How are jacks with combined drive systems tested?
A: Each force-transmitting system (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical) must be tested separately to this volume and pass, before the complete jack is accepted — preventing a weak subsystem from being masked by an overall average.
A: Each force-transmitting system (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical) must be tested separately to this volume and pass, before the complete jack is accepted — preventing a weak subsystem from being masked by an overall average.
