ALC ALC Load Capacity & Stability 2

Question 1

How should tools and materials be positioned on an aerial lift platform for maximum stability?

Accepted Answer

Centered and low on the platform floor

Answer

Keeping loads centered and low maintains the platform's center of gravity within the safe stability envelope.

Question 2

What effect does high wind speed have on aerial lift stability?

Accepted Answer

It increases lateral forces that can destabilize the lift

Answer

Wind creates lateral loads on the platform and operator, which can shift the effective center of gravity outside safe limits.

Question 3

What is a 'dynamic load' in the context of aerial lift operations?

Accepted Answer

A load that changes due to movement, acceleration, or sudden stops

Answer

Dynamic loads result from motion—such as driving over bumps or sudden braking—and temporarily exceed the static load value.

Question 4

When should an operator reduce the actual load below the marked maximum capacity?

Accepted Answer

When working on uneven ground, slopes, or in high winds

Answer

Environmental factors such as slopes, soft ground, and wind reduce effective stability, requiring conservative load limits.

Question 5

What does the term 'tipping fulcrum' refer to on a wheeled aerial lift?

Accepted Answer

The pivot line over which the machine tips if stability is lost

Answer

If the center of gravity moves past the tipping fulcrum—typically the outer edge of the downhill tires—the machine tips over.

ALC - Aerial Lift Certification Practice Test