NCCCO MOBILE CRANE EXAM 2025-2026
100 QuEstIONs wIth 100% CORRECt
ANswERs ANd RAtIONALEs ALREAdY
GRAdEd A+
SECTION 1: SITE SETUP & GROUND CONDITIONS (Questions 1-15)
Q1. 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. This is a fundamental safety requirement for crane
operation .
Q2. 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: NCCCO and OSHA require the crane to be level within 1% of grade (approximately
0.57 degrees). Exceeding this changes the true load radius and stability calculations, invalidating
the load chart. Even a slight tilt can significantly reduce capacity and increase tipping risk .
Q3. 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 during rotation. Anyone caught in this radius can
be crushed. OSHA requires barricading to prevent unauthorized access. This is one of the most
frequently cited violations in crane operations .
Q4. Hidden underground voids (like old tanks or loose backfill) 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: Underground voids undermine the soil's ability to support the crane's weight. When
the ground collapses, the crane can tip suddenly or suffer structural damage. The operator
cannot see these hazards, making pre-setup site evaluation critical .
Q5. 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. If tires bear weight, the suspension
can compress unevenly, causing instability .
Q6. 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. The crane's
stability is compromised without full outrigger extension .
Q7. 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 .
Q8. According to OSHA, what is the maximum allowable wind speed for personnel hoisting
unless otherwise specified by a qualified person?
A) 15 mph
B) 20 mph
, C) 25 mph
D) 30 mph
Answer: B) 20 mph
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1431 requires a qualified person to assess conditions when wind speed
exceeds 20 mph. At higher speeds, personnel hoisting is typically prohibited unless the
manufacturer specifies otherwise .
Q9. What environmental condition poses the greatest risk for crane operations?
A) High humidity
B) Low temperature
C) High winds
D) Sunlight
Answer: C) High winds
Rationale: High winds increase dynamic loading, destabilize the load, and drastically reduce the
crane's net capacity. Wind can cause loads to swing, making control difficult and increasing
accident risk .
Q10. What is the primary purpose of using tag lines during a lift?
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. They are especially important near power lines, where non-
conductive tag lines are required within minimum approach distances .
Q11. A crane is set up with outrigger pads measuring 30 inches by 30 inches. The crane exerts
a maximum outrigger load of 90,000 lb. What is the ground bearing pressure in pounds per
square foot (psf)?
100 QuEstIONs wIth 100% CORRECt
ANswERs ANd RAtIONALEs ALREAdY
GRAdEd A+
SECTION 1: SITE SETUP & GROUND CONDITIONS (Questions 1-15)
Q1. 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. This is a fundamental safety requirement for crane
operation .
Q2. 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: NCCCO and OSHA require the crane to be level within 1% of grade (approximately
0.57 degrees). Exceeding this changes the true load radius and stability calculations, invalidating
the load chart. Even a slight tilt can significantly reduce capacity and increase tipping risk .
Q3. 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 during rotation. Anyone caught in this radius can
be crushed. OSHA requires barricading to prevent unauthorized access. This is one of the most
frequently cited violations in crane operations .
Q4. Hidden underground voids (like old tanks or loose backfill) 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: Underground voids undermine the soil's ability to support the crane's weight. When
the ground collapses, the crane can tip suddenly or suffer structural damage. The operator
cannot see these hazards, making pre-setup site evaluation critical .
Q5. 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. If tires bear weight, the suspension
can compress unevenly, causing instability .
Q6. 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. The crane's
stability is compromised without full outrigger extension .
Q7. 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 .
Q8. According to OSHA, what is the maximum allowable wind speed for personnel hoisting
unless otherwise specified by a qualified person?
A) 15 mph
B) 20 mph
, C) 25 mph
D) 30 mph
Answer: B) 20 mph
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1431 requires a qualified person to assess conditions when wind speed
exceeds 20 mph. At higher speeds, personnel hoisting is typically prohibited unless the
manufacturer specifies otherwise .
Q9. What environmental condition poses the greatest risk for crane operations?
A) High humidity
B) Low temperature
C) High winds
D) Sunlight
Answer: C) High winds
Rationale: High winds increase dynamic loading, destabilize the load, and drastically reduce the
crane's net capacity. Wind can cause loads to swing, making control difficult and increasing
accident risk .
Q10. What is the primary purpose of using tag lines during a lift?
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. They are especially important near power lines, where non-
conductive tag lines are required within minimum approach distances .
Q11. A crane is set up with outrigger pads measuring 30 inches by 30 inches. The crane exerts
a maximum outrigger load of 90,000 lb. What is the ground bearing pressure in pounds per
square foot (psf)?
