NCCCO Pick and Carry Operations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a pick and carry operation over soft or uneven ground, the operator should:
- Increase travel speed to minimize time on soft ground
- Extend outriggers to maximum before traveling
- Reduce the load and travel speed, and use mats or cribbing if needed (Correct answer)
- Raise the boom to maximum angle to reduce ground pressure
Correct answer: Reduce the load and travel speed, and use mats or cribbing if needed
Soft or uneven ground increases tipping risk; reducing load and speed, and using mats or cribbing, improves stability.
Question 2: The term 'tipping load' in pick and carry operations refers to:
- The load weight that causes the crane hook to tip sideways
- The load at which the crane will begin to tip, used as the basis for rated capacity (Correct answer)
- The maximum load allowed by OSHA for any crane
- The load that triggers the automatic moment limiter
Correct answer: The load at which the crane will begin to tip, used as the basis for rated capacity
Tipping load is the load at which the crane actually begins to tip, and rated capacities are a percentage of this value.
Question 3: During pick and carry operations, what effect does extending the boom length have on crane stability?
- It increases stability by distributing the load
- It decreases stability by increasing the load radius and boom weight (Correct answer)
- It has no effect on stability if the load weight remains constant
- It improves stability only when traveling uphill
Correct answer: It decreases stability by increasing the load radius and boom weight
Extending boom length increases the load radius and adds boom weight at a greater moment arm, both of which reduce stability.
Question 4: Which of the following conditions would require the operator to STOP a pick and carry move immediately?
- The load begins to swing slightly
- A warning signal sounds from the rated capacity indicator
- The spotter signals the operator to pause
- Any of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Any of the above
Any of these conditions—load swing, capacity warning, or spotter signal—requires immediate cessation of travel to assess and correct the situation.
Question 5: For a pick and carry crane rated at 40 tons stationary, the travel capacity is typically:
- Equal to the stationary capacity
- Greater than the stationary capacity due to momentum
- Less than the stationary capacity (Correct answer)
- Determined solely by tire pressure
Correct answer: Less than the stationary capacity
Travel (pick and carry) capacity is always less than stationary capacity due to the additional dynamic forces introduced by movement.
Question 6: What should an operator do when approaching a railroad crossing during a pick and carry operation?
- Increase speed to minimize time on the crossing
- Stop before the crossing and check for rail traffic before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Retract the boom to minimum length to lower the center of gravity
- Lower the load to the ground and drag it across
Correct answer: Stop before the crossing and check for rail traffic before proceeding
Operators must stop before railroad crossings, check for oncoming trains, and obtain permission if required before crossing.
Question 7: When a load chart specifies 'side' capacity for a pick and carry crane, this means capacity with the load positioned:
- At 45 degrees from the front axle centerline
- Directly over either side of the crane perpendicular to travel direction (Correct answer)
- Between 30 and 60 degrees from the boom centerline
- To the left side only, as rated from the operator's seat
Correct answer: Directly over either side of the crane perpendicular to travel direction
Side capacity applies when the load is directly to the side of the crane, perpendicular to the direction of travel, as defined by the manufacturer.
NCCCO Pick and Carry Operations 4
When performing a pick and carry operation over soft or uneven ground, the operator should: