NCCCO MOBILE CRANE EXAM/ QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (CRANE PRACTICE TESTS)
NCCCO Core Exam: Site & Setup (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the first step an operator should take before operating a crane?
A. Start lifting the load immediately
B. Review the job schedule
C. Perform a pre-operation inspection
D. Consult the construction drawings
Answer: C. Perform a pre-operation inspection
Rationale: A pre-operation inspection ensures the crane is safe to operate and all systems are
functioning properly before any work begins .
2. A crane must be set up within what percentage of level for its load chart ratings to remain valid?
A. 1%
B. 2%
C. 3%
D. 5%
Answer: A. 1%
Rationale: The NCCCO and OSHA require the crane to be level within 1% of grade. Exceeding this
changes the true load radius and stability .
3. According to OSHA, which accessible area of an operating crane must always be barricaded?
A. The entire job site
B. The area under the boom tip
C. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
D. The area within 10 feet of the outriggers
Answer: C. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
Rationale: The counterweight swings blindly. Anyone caught in this radius can be crushed, so it must
be barricaded to prevent unauthorized access .
,4. Hidden underground voids (like old tanks) are a hazard because:
A. They increase the ground bearing pressure
B. They could collapse under the crane's weight
C. They attract lightning
D. They interfere with the LMI signal
Answer: B. They could collapse under the crane's weight
Rationale: Voids undermine the soil's ability to support the crane's load, potentially causing a sudden
tip-over or structural failure .
5. How should the wheels (tires) of a crane be positioned when it is set up for working on outriggers?
A. Just touching the ground
B. As high as possible off the ground
C. Just high enough to relieve the tires of weight
D. Firmly on the ground to support the crane
Answer: C. Just high enough to relieve the tires of crane weight
Rationale: The outriggers are designed to take the full load. The tires should be slightly off the ground
(or just touching) to prevent the crane from rocking .
6. If you set up a crane with 3 out of 4 outriggers fully extended and one retracted, which chart do you
use?
A. On-outrigger chart
B. On-rubber chart
C. On-outrigger chart minus 20%
D. On-rubber chart plus 20%
Answer: B. On-rubber chart
Rationale: Unless the manufacturer explicitly allows "partial extension" capacities, any outrigger not
fully extended defaults the crane to its (lower) rubber-tire capacity .
7. When setting up near an excavation (cellar wall), how far back must outriggers or tracks be placed?
A. At least 2 feet
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 wall
D. It doesn't matter if you use cribbing
Answer: B. At least as far back as the depth of the wall below ground
Rationale: Trench collapses occur at a 45-degree angle. If the hole is 10 feet deep, you must be back at
least 10 feet to prevent the ground from sliding out from under the tracks .
, 8. What happens to ground bearing pressure if you move a crawler crane from soft ground to harder
ground?
A. It increases
B. It decreases
C. It remains the same
D. It fluctuates based on wind speed
Answer: A. It increases
Rationale: Ground bearing pressure is a function of the crane's weight divided by the contact area.
Hard ground does not "sink," meaning the contact area stays small, increasing the PSI .
9. What is the primary purpose of using tag lines?
A. To speed up the lifting cycle
B. To secure the crane boom during travel
C. To control load rotation and movement
D. To signal the operator electronically
Answer: C. To control load rotation and movement
Rationale: Tag lines allow ground personnel to keep the load from spinning dangerously and guide it
precisely into place .
10. When may blocking (cribbing) be placed under outrigger beams (between the beam and the pad)?
A. When beams cannot be extended fully
B. To increase capacity
C. To improve stability
D. Never
Answer: D. Never
Rationale: Placing cribbing under the beam, rather than under the pad, creates a point load on the
beam, potentially bending or damaging the outrigger assembly .
11. The "controlling entity" is responsible for:
A. Greasing the boom
B. Ensuring adequate ground conditions
C. Hand signal training
D. Wire rope replacement
Answer: B. Ensuring adequate ground conditions
Rationale: OSHA defines the controlling entity as the organization that has the ability to prevent or
correct ground conditions hazards .
AND ANSWERS (CRANE PRACTICE TESTS)
NCCCO Core Exam: Site & Setup (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the first step an operator should take before operating a crane?
A. Start lifting the load immediately
B. Review the job schedule
C. Perform a pre-operation inspection
D. Consult the construction drawings
Answer: C. Perform a pre-operation inspection
Rationale: A pre-operation inspection ensures the crane is safe to operate and all systems are
functioning properly before any work begins .
2. A crane must be set up within what percentage of level for its load chart ratings to remain valid?
A. 1%
B. 2%
C. 3%
D. 5%
Answer: A. 1%
Rationale: The NCCCO and OSHA require the crane to be level within 1% of grade. Exceeding this
changes the true load radius and stability .
3. According to OSHA, which accessible area of an operating crane must always be barricaded?
A. The entire job site
B. The area under the boom tip
C. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
D. The area within 10 feet of the outriggers
Answer: C. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
Rationale: The counterweight swings blindly. Anyone caught in this radius can be crushed, so it must
be barricaded to prevent unauthorized access .
,4. Hidden underground voids (like old tanks) are a hazard because:
A. They increase the ground bearing pressure
B. They could collapse under the crane's weight
C. They attract lightning
D. They interfere with the LMI signal
Answer: B. They could collapse under the crane's weight
Rationale: Voids undermine the soil's ability to support the crane's load, potentially causing a sudden
tip-over or structural failure .
5. How should the wheels (tires) of a crane be positioned when it is set up for working on outriggers?
A. Just touching the ground
B. As high as possible off the ground
C. Just high enough to relieve the tires of weight
D. Firmly on the ground to support the crane
Answer: C. Just high enough to relieve the tires of crane weight
Rationale: The outriggers are designed to take the full load. The tires should be slightly off the ground
(or just touching) to prevent the crane from rocking .
6. If you set up a crane with 3 out of 4 outriggers fully extended and one retracted, which chart do you
use?
A. On-outrigger chart
B. On-rubber chart
C. On-outrigger chart minus 20%
D. On-rubber chart plus 20%
Answer: B. On-rubber chart
Rationale: Unless the manufacturer explicitly allows "partial extension" capacities, any outrigger not
fully extended defaults the crane to its (lower) rubber-tire capacity .
7. When setting up near an excavation (cellar wall), how far back must outriggers or tracks be placed?
A. At least 2 feet
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 wall
D. It doesn't matter if you use cribbing
Answer: B. At least as far back as the depth of the wall below ground
Rationale: Trench collapses occur at a 45-degree angle. If the hole is 10 feet deep, you must be back at
least 10 feet to prevent the ground from sliding out from under the tracks .
, 8. What happens to ground bearing pressure if you move a crawler crane from soft ground to harder
ground?
A. It increases
B. It decreases
C. It remains the same
D. It fluctuates based on wind speed
Answer: A. It increases
Rationale: Ground bearing pressure is a function of the crane's weight divided by the contact area.
Hard ground does not "sink," meaning the contact area stays small, increasing the PSI .
9. What is the primary purpose of using tag lines?
A. To speed up the lifting cycle
B. To secure the crane boom during travel
C. To control load rotation and movement
D. To signal the operator electronically
Answer: C. To control load rotation and movement
Rationale: Tag lines allow ground personnel to keep the load from spinning dangerously and guide it
precisely into place .
10. When may blocking (cribbing) be placed under outrigger beams (between the beam and the pad)?
A. When beams cannot be extended fully
B. To increase capacity
C. To improve stability
D. Never
Answer: D. Never
Rationale: Placing cribbing under the beam, rather than under the pad, creates a point load on the
beam, potentially bending or damaging the outrigger assembly .
11. The "controlling entity" is responsible for:
A. Greasing the boom
B. Ensuring adequate ground conditions
C. Hand signal training
D. Wire rope replacement
Answer: B. Ensuring adequate ground conditions
Rationale: OSHA defines the controlling entity as the organization that has the ability to prevent or
correct ground conditions hazards .
