Mobile Crane Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Certification Requirements

Outlines operator certification standards, regulatory bodies, and compliance obligations. Students understand the legal and professional requirements before entering the field.

Lesson 2 • Overview of Mobile Crane Operations

Introduces the mobile crane industry, its applications, and economic importance. Establishes context for all subsequent technical and safety content in the course.

Lesson 3 • Roles and Responsibilities on a Lift Site

Defines the duties of operators, riggers, signal persons, and lift supervisors. Clarifies accountability chains essential for safe coordinated lifts.

Lesson 1 • Hoisting and Load-Handling Systems

Covers wire rope, drums, sheaves, hooks, and load blocks. Students understand how load path components interact to transfer and control lifted loads.

Lesson 2 • Safety Devices and Limit Systems

Details anti-two-block devices, load moment indicators, and boom angle indicators. Students learn how each device prevents overload or structural failure.

Lesson 3 • Power and Drive Systems

Explains diesel engine operation, hydraulic circuits, and drive train components. Students connect power source function to crane performance and troubleshooting.

Lesson 4 • Structural Components of a Mobile Crane

Identifies the primary structural elements including the carrier, superstructure, and boom. Provides the vocabulary needed for inspection and maintenance communication.

Lesson 1 • Applying Load Charts to Lift Planning

Integrates chart reading with site conditions and load weight to produce a valid lift plan. Students practise complete capacity calculations using realistic scenario data.

Lesson 2 • Determining Crane Configuration Factors

Covers outrigger extension, counterweight settings, and boom angle effects on capacity. Students adjust configuration variables to maximise safe lift capacity.

Lesson 3 • Radius Measurement and Verification

Explains how to measure and verify working radius before and during a lift. Accurate radius measurement is the most critical variable in capacity determination.

Lesson 4 • Understanding Load Chart Structure

Explains how load charts are organised by boom length, radius, and configuration. Students navigate chart tables without confusion before applying values to real lifts.

Lesson 1 • Site Assessment and Hazard Identification

Covers ground conditions, overhead hazards, and underground utilities assessment. Students evaluate site suitability before positioning the crane.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Lift Checklist and Operator Readiness

Consolidates all pre-operation checks into a final pre-lift verification routine. Students confirm crane, site, and personnel readiness before load attachment.

Lesson 3 • Outrigger Deployment and Leveling

Details outrigger extension, pad placement, and crane leveling procedures. Correct outrigger setup is the primary factor in maintaining rated capacity.

Lesson 4 • Boom Assembly and Rigging Setup

Explains boom section assembly, jib attachment, and initial reeving procedures. Proper assembly ensures structural integrity before the first lift of the day.

Lesson 1 • Load Attachment and Centre of Gravity

Teaches locating the centre of gravity and attaching rigging for balanced lifts. Correct attachment prevents load tipping and uncontrolled movement.

Lesson 2 • Controlled Load Movement Techniques

Covers lift-off, travel, and landing procedures for controlled load handling. Students apply smooth control inputs to prevent load swing and shock loading.

Lesson 3 • Sling Angles and Load Distribution

Explains how sling angle affects tension and reduces effective capacity. Students calculate sling tension at various angles to prevent overloading.

Lesson 4 • Sling Types and Selection

Compares wire rope, chain, synthetic web, and round slings for various load types. Students match sling material and configuration to load characteristics.

Lesson 1 • Preventing Crane Tip-Over and Overload

Identifies the causes of tip-over and overload events and the controls that prevent them. Students apply capacity verification and ground assessment to eliminate tip-over risk.

Lesson 2 • Wind, Weather, and Environmental Limits

Defines wind speed limits, visibility requirements, and adverse weather protocols. Students recognise when conditions require suspending or modifying operations.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Procedures and Incident Response

Covers responses to power failure, two-blocking, tip-over onset, and personnel emergencies. Students practise decision-making under simulated emergency conditions.

Lesson 4 • Operating Near Power Lines

Establishes minimum approach distances and procedures for working near energised lines. Students apply encroachment prevention measures before and during every lift near utilities.

Lesson 1 • Tandem and Multi-Crane Lift Coordination

Addresses the additional planning, communication, and control requirements for tandem lifts. Students understand load sharing calculations and synchronised movement protocols.

Lesson 2 • Site Survey and Crane Positioning

Covers systematic site surveys to determine optimal crane position and access routes. Correct positioning maximises capacity and minimizes hazard exposure.

Lesson 3 • Lift Plan Documentation and Approval

Details the components of a written lift plan and the approval workflow. Students produce a complete lift plan document meeting industry standards.

Lesson 4 • Lift Classification and Planning Triggers

Defines standard, critical, and engineered lift categories and the thresholds that trigger each. Students classify lifts correctly to apply the appropriate planning level.

Lesson 1 • Structural Inspection and Crack Detection

Explains visual and non-destructive inspection methods for boom and structural welds. Early crack detection prevents catastrophic structural failure during operation.

Lesson 2 • Wire Rope Inspection and Replacement

Establishes criteria for wire rope inspection, discard, and replacement procedures. Wire rope is the most safety-critical consumable component on a mobile crane.

Lesson 3 • Hydraulic System Maintenance

Covers hydraulic fluid sampling, filter replacement, and hose inspection procedures. Hydraulic system integrity directly affects crane control and load-holding capability.

Lesson 4 • Maintenance Records and Defect Reporting

Establishes documentation practices for maintenance activities and defect reports. Accurate records support regulatory compliance and equipment history tracking.