Mobile Crane Operator Sample Questions

Core Exam Sample questions can be found below. Answer key

For Load Chart practice see the sample items at NCCCO

These sample questions are intended to convey something of the style and content of the National Operator Certification Program examination developed and administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators(CCO). They are not actual test questions, nor do they attempt to address all of the areas of knowledge tested on the CCO certification examination. Response to these questions is not necessarily an indication of performance on the CCO examinations.

1. What action does a signal person intend the operator to perform if he extends his arm at shoulder height, makes a fist with his hand, and sticks his thumb up?

a. Boom down
b. Swing
c. Boom up
d. Telescope out

2. Within what percentage of level does a telescopic boom crane have to be for the gross ratings in the load chart to remain valid?

a. 1%
b. 2%
c. 5%
d. It doesn’t matter so long as the outriggers are fully extended and set

3. The load line of the crane you’re operating comes into contact with an energized power line. There’s no sign of any other danger, such as fire. In such a situation, you should:

a. Climb down carefully from the crane cab
b. Jump down, feet together
c. Stay in the cab until the lines are de-energized
d. Get as far away from the crane as possible

4. You’re setting your crane up in a confined area and you cannot fully extend your fourth outrigger. Your crane does not have a load chart for intermediate extension working. In such a situation you should use the capacities in the:

a. on-outriggers load chart
b. on-rubber load chart
c. on-outriggers load chart while being careful not to swing the load over the short outrigger
d. on-outriggers load chart, after shortening all outriggers to the same length as the fourth (short) outrigger

5. According to OSHA 1926.1413, how many randomly distributed broken wires in rotation-resistant rope are cause for considering replacement of the rope?

a. 1 broken wire in 6 rope diameters
b. 2 broken wires in 30 rope diameters
c. 3 broken wires in one strand in one lay
d. 2 broken wires in 6 rope diameters

6. Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, the net capacity of a crane on main boom is the capacity listed in the load chart:

a. minus the weight of the rigging and all attachments
b. plus the weight of the rigging and all attachments
c. minus the weight of the rigging and all attachments not in use
d. minus the weight of the rigging alone

7. Unless the operator takes account of boom deflection, when lifted off the ground, a properly rigged load may:

a. swing out away from the crane
b. swing in towards the crane
c. raise absolutely vertically
d. shift in its rigging

8. Which is the most common cause of death to crane operators?

a. Electrocution
b. Falls from the crane getting on and off
c. Crane turnover
d. Fire

9. What standard method hand signalisis being illistrated?

a. Swing
b. Stop
c. Emergency Stop
d. Travel

10. An operator should respond to a "stop" signal from:

a. appointed signal person only
b. project manager only
c. superintendent only
d. anyone

11. Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, truck cranes generally have no lifting capacity over which area?

a. the side
b. the rear
c. the front
d. the outriggers

12. "Working radius" is defined as the distance from the:

a. base of the boom to the center of the load
b. front of the crane to the center of gravity of the load
c. center of rotation of the crane to the center of the load
d. center of rotation of the crane to the center of gravity of the load

13. If a bold line is shown on a load chart, the capacities below the line:

a. are based on the structural strength of the crane
b. must not be used
c. are based on the stability of the crane
d. should only be used if the crane is set up on outriggers

14. Rough terrain crane capacities are generally greater over the:

a. front
b. rear
c. right side
d. left side

15. According to federal requirements, under what conditions is it OK for a person to ride the headache ball?

a. when there is no other way to gain access
b. when the lift has been approved by an engineer
c. when other means would be more dangerous
d. it is never OK

16. On duty cycle operations, such as skipping concrete, most manufacturers require a crane's load chart capacity to be reduced by:

a. 10%.
b. 15%.
c. 20%.
d. 30%.

17. Boom length is measured from the:

a. base of the boom to the center of the boom tip sheave.
b. boom hinge pins to the boom tip.
c. boom hinge pins to the center of the boom tip sheave.
d. base of the boom to the boom tip.

18. Using the preferred method of installing wire rope from a reel onto a hoist drum, the rope runs from the:

a. top of the reel to the bottom of the drum.
b. bottom of the reel to the top of the drum.
c. top of the reel to the top of the drum.
d. There is no preferred method.

19. Truck crane capacities are usually greater over the:

a. front.
b. rear.
c. front right outrigger.
d. side.

20. A truck crane is set up on outriggers. The part of the load chart governed by stability is based on what percentage of the crane's capacity?

a. 85%
b. 100%
c. 70%
d. 75%

21. According to OSHA, accessible areas of the operating crane must always be barricaded within:

a. the swing radius of the crane
b. the carbody or chassis
c. the swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
d. the distance between the carbody or chassis and the boom tip

22. What is the OSHA regulation governing cranes in construction?

a. 1910.180
b. 1926.1400
c. 1926.556
d. 1910.184

23. A crack in the windshield of a crane cab is OK so long as:

a. it causes no visible distortion that would interfere with safe operations
b. it is less than 6 inches long
c. the windshield is replaced on the next annual inspection
d. it is never OK

24. OSHA permits hoisting of personnel by crane so long as:

a. the prevailing wind speed is less than 35 mph
b. there is no less hazardous or practicable way
c. all personnel have CPR training
d. no aerial work platform is available

25. A crane is set up with 3 of its 4 outriggers fully extended and the fourth retracted. Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, the capacity of the crane in this configuration will be found in the:

a. on-outrigger chart
b. on-rubber chart
c. on-outrigger chart minus 20%
d. on-rubber chart plus 20%

26. When lifting personnel, the total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed what percentage of the rated capacity of the crane?

a. 75%
b. 50%
c. 85%
d. 45%

27. Side loading of crane booms is permitted:

a. when the operator says it's OK.
b. so long as no jib is installed.
c. only when the outriggers are fully extended.
d. only with freely suspended loads.

28. If the operator makes two audible signals when moving a crane, he/she intends to:

a. stop.
b. back up.
c. go ahead.
d. stop (emergency).

29. If a crane's load moment indicator (LMI) malfunctions, the operator should:

a. cease crane operations and report the condition to the supervisor.
b. turn it off and continue as if the LMI were not installed.
c. make mathematical allowances for any error.
d. attempt to repair the fault.

30. Blocking (cribbing) may be placed under outrigger beams:

a. when beams cannot be extended all the way out.
b. to increase capacity.
c. to improve stability.
d. never.

31. Timber blocking placed under the tips of the tracks on a crawler crane will:

a. increase the permitted capacity of the crane
b. make the crane more stable
c. reduce the capacity of the crane
d. make the crane less stable

32. If a load test is done on a repaired crane, the load must not exceed what percentage of the manufacturer's crane rating?

a. 100%
b. 110%
c. 75%
d. 85%

33. When handling boom sections, the best place for slings to be attached is:

a. at the pin connection points at the ends of the top chords
b. at the lattice members
c. anywhere on the top chords
d. at the pin connection points at the ends of the bottom chords

34. The tipping axis of a crawler crane:

a. is always at the centerline of the idler or sprocket
b. depends if the idler or sprocket are in line or offset from the track rollers
c. is through the centerline of the crane cab
d. is through the boom butt section

35. Materials placed under overhead energized power lines should:

a. be dragged out
b. lifted as normal
c. not be lifted by crane
d. handled with extra care

36. What standard method hand signal is being illustrated?

a. Boom up
b. Boom down
c. Telescope in
d. Hoist

37. When working at ground floor level near a cellar wall, the crane's outrigger pads or tracks should be placed:

a. as close as possible to the wall
b. at least as far back as the depth of the wall below ground
c. at a distance at least half the depth of the cellar wall below ground
d. anywhere, since the wall is unaffected by the weight of the crane

38. When setting a crane up on outriggers, the wheels of the crane should:

a. just touch the ground
b. be as high as possible off the ground
c. be just high enough off the ground to relieve the tires of crane weight
d. stay firmly on the ground to support the crane

39. If you move a crawler crane from soft ground to harder ground, ground bearing pressure will:

a. increase
b. decrease by a third
c. remain the same
d. decrease by half

40. Rotation-resistant rope can be used with a swivel:

a. always
b. never
c. if the rope manufacturer approves
d. if the operator decides it’s OK

41. On pick and carry operations, you should:

a. keep the boom as short as possible
b. keep the load as high above the ground as possible
c. ensure the load is as far from the carrier/carbody as possible
d. use maximum boom length

42. On a crawler crane, ground bearing pressure is greatest:

a. over the right side
b. over the end
c. over the corner
d. over the left side

43. When preparing to hoist a light load, the hook should be positioned:

a. slightly to the side you're planning to swing to
b. slightly to the side opposite you plan to swing to
c. directly above the load's center of gravity
d. above the edge of the load closest to the crane

44. According to OSHA 1926.1408, when working around power lines of 850kV, how much clearance is generally required from any part of the crane and its load?

a. 35 ft.
b. 30 ft.
c. 45 ft.
d. 25 ft.

45. You plan to pick a load you are told weighs 36,500 lbs. Line pull on the crane you are operating is 9,000 lbs. How many parts of line will you need?

a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6

46. If a jib is erected but not being used to lift the load, you should make a deduction from the gross capacities listed in the load chart based on:

a. the actual weight of the jib
b. the effective weight of the jib
c. nothing, since the jib is not in use
d. the difference between the crane's actual weight and its effective weight

47. When the boom length of the crane falls between the lengths listed in the load chart, you should use the capacity listed for:

a. the next longest boom length
b. the next shortest boom length
c. a length estimated between the lengths in the chart
d. the next longest or the next shortest boom length, whichever is the lower capacity

48. It's OK to temporarily bypass a crane's overload warning system:

a. when a supervisor tells you to
b. when the load to be lifted exceeds the capacity in the chart
c. never
d. during assembly/disassembly operations

49. On a crawler crane, the part of the load chart governed by stability is based on what percentage of its capacity?

a. 85%
b. 100%
c. 70%
d. 75%

50. As you boom down, the leverage of the load on the crane will:

a. increase
b. decrease
c. stay the same
d. depends on the weight of the load being lifted