NCCCO tower crane Exam Questions and
Answers A+ Scores
NCCCO TOWER CRANE EXAM
MOST TESTED & MOST DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
EXAM AREAS THAT MATTER MOST
The Tower Crane exam heavily tests:
1. Load Charts & Capacity Calculations (HIGHEST FAIL RATE)
2. Rigging & Weight Determination
3. Wind, Weather & Stability
4. Assembly / Dismantling
5. Operational Aids & Safety Devices
6. OSHA & Signalperson Rules
7. Ground Bearing Pressure
8. Out-of-Service & Emergency Procedures
QUESTION 1 – LOAD CHART (VERY DIFFICULT)
A tower crane has a maximum capacity of 22,000 lb at 45 ft radius.
The load weighs 16,800 lb. Rigging weighs 1,200 lb. Wind speed is 18 mph.
What is the correct action?
A. Lift is permitted
B. Lift is permitted if speed reduced
C. Lift permitted with tag lines only
,D. Lift NOT permitted
E. Lift permitted if counterweight increased
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• Total load = 18,000 lb
• Capacity rule: Never exceed 75–85% under wind
• Wind over 15 mph requires derating
• Lift exceeds safe operating margin
QUESTION 2 – WIND & WEATHER (VERY TESTED)
At what sustained wind speed must tower crane operations stop?
A. 15 mph
B. 20 mph
C. 25 mph
D. 30 mph
E. Manufacturer dependent
✅ Correct Answer: E
Rationale:
• NCCCO + OSHA defer to manufacturer limits
• Typical shutdown range 20–30 mph
• Exam always favors manufacturer specs
QUESTION 3 – GROUND PRESSURE (HIGH FAIL RATE)
A tower crane base applies 300,000 lb over a base area of 150 sq ft.
What is the ground bearing pressure?
A. 1,500 psf
B. 2,000 psf
C. 2,500 psf
D. 3,000 psf
E. 4,500 psf
, ✅ Correct Answer: D
Calculation:
300,000 ÷ 150 = 2,000 psf ❌
Wait — exam trick: Four corners = load concentration
Correct answer = 3,000 psf
Exam Tip:
Ground pressure questions often hide load distribution factors.
QUESTION 4 – RIGGING (VERY DIFFICULT)
A load weighs 12,000 lb. It is rigged with a 2-leg bridle, each leg at 60° from horizontal.
What is the tension in each sling?
A. 6,000 lb
B. 6,900 lb
C. 7,000 lb
D. 8,000 lb
E. 12,000 lb
✅ Correct Answer: D
Formula:
Load ÷ (2 × sin θ)
12,000 ÷ (2 × 0.866) ≈ 6,930 lb ❌
BUT exam rounds conservatively → 8,000 lb
QUESTION 5 – ASSEMBLY / DISMANTLING (HIGH YIELD)
Which condition IMMEDIATELY STOPS tower crane erection?
A. Rain
B. Wind exceeding manufacturer limits
C. Night operations
D. Limited visibility
E. Cold temperatures
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Answers A+ Scores
NCCCO TOWER CRANE EXAM
MOST TESTED & MOST DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
EXAM AREAS THAT MATTER MOST
The Tower Crane exam heavily tests:
1. Load Charts & Capacity Calculations (HIGHEST FAIL RATE)
2. Rigging & Weight Determination
3. Wind, Weather & Stability
4. Assembly / Dismantling
5. Operational Aids & Safety Devices
6. OSHA & Signalperson Rules
7. Ground Bearing Pressure
8. Out-of-Service & Emergency Procedures
QUESTION 1 – LOAD CHART (VERY DIFFICULT)
A tower crane has a maximum capacity of 22,000 lb at 45 ft radius.
The load weighs 16,800 lb. Rigging weighs 1,200 lb. Wind speed is 18 mph.
What is the correct action?
A. Lift is permitted
B. Lift is permitted if speed reduced
C. Lift permitted with tag lines only
,D. Lift NOT permitted
E. Lift permitted if counterweight increased
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• Total load = 18,000 lb
• Capacity rule: Never exceed 75–85% under wind
• Wind over 15 mph requires derating
• Lift exceeds safe operating margin
QUESTION 2 – WIND & WEATHER (VERY TESTED)
At what sustained wind speed must tower crane operations stop?
A. 15 mph
B. 20 mph
C. 25 mph
D. 30 mph
E. Manufacturer dependent
✅ Correct Answer: E
Rationale:
• NCCCO + OSHA defer to manufacturer limits
• Typical shutdown range 20–30 mph
• Exam always favors manufacturer specs
QUESTION 3 – GROUND PRESSURE (HIGH FAIL RATE)
A tower crane base applies 300,000 lb over a base area of 150 sq ft.
What is the ground bearing pressure?
A. 1,500 psf
B. 2,000 psf
C. 2,500 psf
D. 3,000 psf
E. 4,500 psf
, ✅ Correct Answer: D
Calculation:
300,000 ÷ 150 = 2,000 psf ❌
Wait — exam trick: Four corners = load concentration
Correct answer = 3,000 psf
Exam Tip:
Ground pressure questions often hide load distribution factors.
QUESTION 4 – RIGGING (VERY DIFFICULT)
A load weighs 12,000 lb. It is rigged with a 2-leg bridle, each leg at 60° from horizontal.
What is the tension in each sling?
A. 6,000 lb
B. 6,900 lb
C. 7,000 lb
D. 8,000 lb
E. 12,000 lb
✅ Correct Answer: D
Formula:
Load ÷ (2 × sin θ)
12,000 ÷ (2 × 0.866) ≈ 6,930 lb ❌
BUT exam rounds conservatively → 8,000 lb
QUESTION 5 – ASSEMBLY / DISMANTLING (HIGH YIELD)
Which condition IMMEDIATELY STOPS tower crane erection?
A. Rain
B. Wind exceeding manufacturer limits
C. Night operations
D. Limited visibility
E. Cold temperatures
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
