étrier en porte à faux

15:07 Apr 14, 2014 

...

14:41 Apr 14, 2014 

Not the whole car/cab, just the frame it fits in.

14:24 Apr 14, 2014 

Yes, I noticed the previous question only after writing my comments. Given the very limited context, Merlrennes' contribution made sense, but you could well be right in assuming it refers to the whole car/cab.

14:17 Apr 14, 2014 

Note that the Termium field-specific definition that I quoted gives a similar set of attachments for what they translate as "car frame": "étrier
CONT – La cabine [...] est fixée dans un étrier, cadre métallique auquel sont fixés les câbles de suspension, les coulisseaux de guidage et le parachute. ..." It would be hard to fit all that into a caliper.

13:06 Apr 14, 2014 

I assume this is using the word "elevator" in the N. American sense, ie what we would call a "lift". Over here an "elevator" is often used for moving grain from a lower to a higher level, or is sometimes used synonymously with "cherry picker". If it is a "lift" then obviously it has to have a reliable braking system, and merlrennes' caliper (usually with just one l) makes good sense. I love the idea of a parachute, though I suspect this is just a "para-chute" system.